Each Woodspirit from the series has pickets in front of him to symbolize that he stands behind "De-Fence". Dr. Clark sculpted them during the Persian Gulf crisis in February of 1991. Beginning in 1992, these fellows don patriotic red, white, and blue ribbons. This Leatherneck is from the 1991 series. He displays the yellow ribbon to say to those who serve their country, We're thinking of you and want you to come home soon". Leatherneck is looking for a few good men, while standing by the Marine Corps emblem. His nickname refers to the pro- tective leather bands that early marines wore around their necks. He's tipping his hat to these "soldiers of the sea", whose motto is "Semper Fidelis", or "Always Faithful". The coins from Mexico and Libya recall the Marine Hymn: From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli". The acorns and sea shells represent the Hymn's third line: "On the land and on the sea". Leatherneck is holding a streamer that reads "situation", for the Marines have landed and the situation is well in hand.
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