Chuck Norris now an "honorary Marine"

I gotta tell ya, Pete, I had no idea you were a fan ...

From Marine Corps Times

Conway makes Chuck Norris honorary Marine

By Kimberly Johnson - Staff writer

Posted : Thursday Mar 29, 2007 20:35:43 EDT

So you’ve got a problem with the new tattoo policy? Don’t feel like going on your third deployment? Think your crummy barracks needs renovating?

Don’t complain to the commandant. Unless you want a roundhouse kick to the throat from his new friend.

On Wednesday night, Commandant Gen. James Conway made legendary martial-arts ninja and action movie star Chuck Norris an “Honorary Marine” during dinner at the commandant’s residence in Washington, D.C.

The honorary award was the first such given by Conway and was the result of a nominative process, said Col. Frank McKenzie, military secretary for Conway. The title of Honorary Marine “is not given lightly,” McKenzie said.

In recent years, Norris’ popularity has surged with Marines. Leathernecks worldwide have been known to cite satirical Chuck Norris “facts” — unconfirmed and exaggerated declarations about the newest Honorary Marine along the lines of “There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.”

Norris has said he is aware of the circulation of the “facts,” but doesn’t take them too seriously.

“The thing that is so engaging about Chuck Norris is that he’s so straightforward,” McKenzie said. “There’s no artifice about him. He represents a lot of values Marines value.”

The television star of “Walker, Texas Ranger” has also been very supportive of the Corps.

“He’s been very active in support of our wounded warriors,” said McKenzie, who was present at the dinner. Norris also recently took a trip to Iraq with Assistant Commandant Gen. Robert Magnus, which was considered one of the best-received visits to date, McKenzie said. “The Marines were ecstatic.”

Now that Norris is an Honorary Marine, will the Corps be calling him up as part of “Every Marine Into the Fight?”

“Knowing Chuck Norris, I guarantee he’ll be going back to Iraq,” McKenzie said.

[Hehe. “There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.” I kinda like that one].