Death before dishonor...

My first tattoo was a standard "off the wall" picture of a dagger through a heart with a scroll that said "Death before dishonor". My camera isn't available so this picture is one I found on the net that is "sort of" similar". Mine has color and is now surrounded by many other tattoos.

When I first joined the army at 17 years of age it was popular to get a tattoo so, full of bravado and a few beers I was off to the tattooist in Melbourne for my first. The un-original Death before dishonor tattoo seemed the logical choice. The image of being macho was probably the deciding factor of this first tattoo.

I thought about it early this morning at work when I was thoroughly "fed up" with the work and tired beyond belief. My legs and feet ached and all I wanted was the shift to come to a speedy end. I have worn this tattoo for 27 years and it rarely comes to mind even when standing in front of a mirror. I laugh about it now because I think dishonor is probably far more preferable to death...

note: the tattooist used a stencil and used the American spelling "dishonor". in Australia it is supposed to be spelt "dishonour".