Being a Marine is special

Last Friday I had the privilege of accompanying the sister of a deceased Marine buddy, and her family, as they gathered at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego for graduation.  My buddy's nephew joined in the ceremony with his fellow Marines from Platoon 1013 on a cool and pleasant morning, marching where his uncle (Colonel C. L. Dockery, U. S. Marine Corps, Retired) had marched back in 1965.

Prior to graduation, MCRD hosts a Morning Colors Ceremony, at which the Commanding General speaks and the National Colors (US Flag) are raised.  Additionally, on special occasions, awards are presented.  That morning was one such special occasion, as two Privates First Class were awarded a Silver Star and Bronze Star w/V for actions in the battle for Hill 881 South in the first Battle for Khe Sanh, Vietnam.  The heroics displayed by these two men were astounding, in a battle in which 75% of the roughly 100 members of their Marine Rifle Company were casualties, including 25 killed and more than 50 wounded.  During their comments after receiving the awards, each spoke of the Marine brotherhood and having merely done their jobs.  The Silver Star recipient spoke eloquently, stating that he was scared spitless.  Continuing, he said his biggest fear, however, was the thought of letting his fellow Marines down.  The Bronze Star recipient, in a halting voice, wondered how many of his buddies fell after his machine gun team was taken out of the fight by enemy fire (his gunner was killed and he took a round through the mouth and into the head).  Some of the other surviving members of M/3/3 (Mike Company, 3^rd Battalion, 3^rd Marine Regiment) attended, to watch their comrades finally be recognized for battlefield heroism.  Though decades have passed, the Marine tradition of recognizing our brothers continues.  


Just prior to the Colors Ceremony, I met up with Marines with whom I served, including one former Commanding Officer.  They were in town for a reunion and it was just like old times, as we shared stories about our times together.  Two, each a retired Colonel, commented about how great is was to be back "home" on a Marine Corps base.  One lives overseas and the other lives hundreds of miles from the nearest Marine Corps installation.  As we sat listening to the awards being read, we reflected upon our time in uniform.  At the conclusion of the ceremony, we stood, as did the families of the graduating recruits around us, for the Marines' Hymn.  After the last note played, a lady behind us touched my arm.  I turned to her and she commented about how erect and proud we stood during the playing of the Hymn, observing we stood every bit as straight and proud as a nearby Corporal in uniform.  Tradition continues.


The graduation itself vividly brought to mind my final day in uniform, as I was retired at a Colors Ceremony and served as Reviewing Officer for that day's recruit graduation.  This Friday morning, as part of the ceremony, the Emcee asked all those who had served in our Corps to stand and be recognized.  The Commanding General and his commanders then stood and led the round of applause for us graybeards.  
Watching the graduation, seated next to the mother of a brand new Marine, was inspirational.  Seeing the pride and tears in her eyes and those of the other family members served as visual reminders of how valued we Marines are to our nation.  Tradition continues.

Friday night, my wife and I went to a social event at the home of a close Marine buddy, whom I've known and served with for 29 years.  At the gathering were two other Marines, one of whom (no crap) went to boot camp with the Silver Star recipient noted above.  I spoke of the ceremony and graduation.  We talked about the history of the hill fights in Vietnam, as they were known.  We spoke of books we've each read about Marines in battle.  We poked fun at each other, in that way Marines tease one another.  We spoke of mutual Marines friends who have passed away.  We spoke of how young Marines make us proud and how the country needs to do better by them.  The tradition continues. 


This weekend my Basic School Class held a reunion in Washington DC.  Since I couldn't  attend, I sent a write up about the graduation, citing how Marines are Marines and that the graduation was superb.  40 years after we graduated from The Basic School, we are still in contact and remain brothers in arms.  The tradition continues. 


So, to the non-Marine reader, the seamless traditions continue.  The rigors of boot camp remain mystical to the uninitiated.  The Marines' Hymn continues to raise goose bumps.  The camaraderie remains unshaken.  Marines ensured the recognizing of two heroes decades later (it took so many years because all the officers who would have normally processed the recommendations for the awards had been killed in the fight).  

While much challenges our nation, our Corps remains strong, in large part because being a Marine is special.