A Marine from "K" Company, 2nd Bn, Marine Corps Recruit Depot
RE: 1/26/59
I'm sure most of you from "K" Company, 2nd Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit
Depot, Parris Island, SC, could look at your DD-214's and see that 44 years ago
today, you enlisted in the finest major fighting force in the world. That
decision alone to take such a large step is impressive enough. To finish Boot
Camp and become a Marine is even more so. We all know inside ourselves what it
took to overcome what fears we might have had. For some, it was being away from
home and family for the first time in our lives, for others it was self-doubt -
could we cut the mustard? What if we didn't make it? Would we have to go back
home and admit we failed? Maybe some worried about being sent to war. After all,
the Korean War had ended just 6 short years before.
Now, after all this time, we know we had what it took. We know what a powerful
influence the Corps has had on our lives. In our later years, we realize that
many of our decisions, consciously or subconsciously, are and were guided by the
principles of the Corps and that ever-present reminder to "do it right the first
time". Or, "Adapt, improvise, overcome." Respect for God, Country and Corps was
instilled in us, whether we knew it at the time or not. Our Drill Instructors
did a number on us and we all thought it was a bad thing at the time. How wrong
we were! Now we see our DI's again and can thank them from the bottom of our
green hearts for what they gave us.
Deep down, you now walk around confidently, knowing you did something, and are
something, special, with no need to prove it to anyone else. When someone finds
out you are a Marine, you can see the subtle change in the way they react or
look at you. They don't even know why it happens themselves, because they
haven't experienced the Brotherhood. They just know Marines have a long history
of defending them and maybe they can't understand why someone would die for
somebody else.
We had a strong bond with our High School sports teammates and some of those can
last a lifetime. Most don't. But where else can you find the camaraderie we have
with a million or more living Marines? Not to mention the bond we have with
those who fought and died to bring us to where we are today. We carry on that
proud tradition and try to live exemplary lives. How much is that worth to you?
Would you not do it again? Our Series Officer, Col. Alex Fazekas met us for the
first time since 1959, stood up and said, "Y'all should be proud of yourselves
for being a such big success." We won't ever forget that one.
If you can make our reunion in June, and you haven't been to one before, you
will be able to rediscover and experience this wonderful camaraderie again.
All four Sr. Drill Instructors will be there. Try like hell to make it. If you
can't be there for some compelling reason, join your local Marine Corps League
Detachment and commit to doing some good work. You'll get back that feeling of
brotherhood again and meet some great Marines in the process.
So, on this Superbowl Sunday, pick up your glass and toast yourselves. You have
a right to do that with no immodesty. I will be toasting all Marines, and
especially you, with whom I shared a frightening, then exhilarating, thirteen
weeks, 44 years ago.
Semper Fidelis to all Marine Brothers & Sisters,
John Wintersteen - Danville, CA
Proud to be a L/Cpl
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