Marine Corps Birthday

Today is the 234th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fi! I still remember the name of my recruiter at the recruiting station in Nashville, Tennessee: SSGt. Burkeen. In 1972 while I was being processed into the Marines, SSgt. Burkeen needed a copy of my birth certificate. He called my home in Nebraska and identified himself. Unfortunately, I had neglected to tell my mother that I had just enlisted in the Marines. She went through the roof on him. The Vietnam War was still on.

I still remember the SSgt coming into the recruiting room white as a ghost. "Did you tell your mother you were joining the Marines?" he said. He then escorted me to a telephone and directed me to call home and talk to my parents.

Joining the Marines was the smartest thing I ever did. I met my wonderful wife of 30 years while stationed on Parris Island.