Though it’s been thirty years that I retired as a Marine I found my Platoon 3331 year book, secondly it’s been fifty years come September that I as you and counts of thousands after us arrived to challenge our body, mind and spirit and to having it broken down so that we could be taught courage, poise, self-confidence and pride of belonging to the worlds finest by earning the title Marine that no one can take from us. These words written at the side entrance to the Receiving Barracks do represent our fighting spirit as a Team and Our Marine Brotherhood.
Semper Fidelis
RamTwo
44 comments
I read a lot here of Marines graduating boot camp in the mid 50’s to the early 60’s along with talk of their DI’s, my Dad was a DI at PI in this time frame, Sgt. Shook, any one recall him? I too was a DI at PI mid 70’s but don’t here many talk of that time era. Would love to hear from anyone from these times. Semper Fi Jarheads!
Following a total loss home fire in 2007, one irreplaceable item, my boot camp platoon red book is missed as much as anything else. I don’t know for sure but it would seem this item may be irreplaceable. Although many treasured items are forever gone, this one item is a recurring irritation and I would advise anyone to digitally store a copy of it, along with other items of importance as everything here is temporary, except our Corps, an indestructible force that made all of us stronger for life’s ups and downs. One amusing story will stay with me ’til the end. As ” honor platoon”, we were assigned to base maintanence instead of mess duty for one of our last weeks.. My fellow maggot and I were to clean certain areas of the staff NCO quarters without much supervision and with the over-hanging warning of brig time for using any of the vending machines. While polishing the brass fire extinguisher in one passageway, I heard coins drop into a coke machine around the corner. Since I hadn’t seen anyone else about, I crept into the wash room where I observed the shadow of my fellow worker, chugging down the fruits of his pogey-baiting soda buy, as fast as humanly possible and without any obsevable pleasure as I sternly said “Come here you f***ing puke ! ” in my best D.I. tone. His red faced sheepish appearance was so damned funny that I was immobilized and rolling on the floor as he pummeled me for taking some number of years off his life and put Leavenworth clearly into his future. We later served in “Nam together in “C Co., 7th M.T. Bn. for extended tours and even kept in touch after we got out for years. Hope Cpl.C.A. Towery enjoys a cool one now and then ( I’m sure he does). , M. Van Zee,Cpl. E-4, (1968) 2168782, platoon 270, M.C.R.D. S.D. Semper Fi . ( You can publish my e-mail address, might get some replies you never know.)
60 Years ago 8Aug56 I first got to PI and have never looked back. It was the learning experience that keeps me going even today. Semper Fi
Hit paris island/October of1952,64 yrs ago,still remember most everything from that time,still thank the lord for all the experiences,good and bad but mostly being changed from an 18 yr old punk know it alll to a MARINE. SEMPER FI ALL.
I don’t know if there is a Marine alive (and, if so, I haven’t met him) who doesn’t say that his life was changed forever and for the better having graduated boot camp as a Marine. I know mine was in 1964.
I WENT THRU PI IN 1958/1960. I AM STILL JUST AS PROUD NOW AS THEM. THAT TRAINING HAS HELPED PUT ME THRU LIFE ALWAYS WATCH MY 6. STILL WEAR A MARINE COVER WHEN EVER I GO OUT & NICE TO HERE PEOPLE SAY THANKS FOR MY SERVICE. I DO AS WELL TO FELLOW MARINES.WHEN ASKED WHY MARINE’S ARE ON NAVY SHIP’S, I JUST RESPOND THAT THEY NEEDED SOMEONE TO DANCE WITH.ALWAYS GET A CHUCKLE EVEN FROM NAVY VETS. SEMPER FI.
A kind of rebirth occurs in Marine Corps boot camp. The overwhelming experience forever alters the mind. The recruit’s entire perception of himself/herself is changed. The thought processes, how one deals with problems and challenges, are entirely different than before. The only experience that exceeds becoming a U.S. Marine is accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In 1965, the Marine Corps made me who I am today. In 1962, a Jewish carpenter defined my future in eternity.
I walked through them doors 60 years ago, what a feeling then and now. SEMPER FI
It has been 57 years since I went through the portal at Receiving Barracks, and 28 years since I retired. I remain a Marine and will be until they throw dirt in my face, and probably after that.
Hey Bro’s its been , 44 yrs for me , since graduation day at Parris Island , and yes I to am as proud as I was that day ,, Semper Fi
Sixty three years for me Brother, and I know your feeling for I also still have that pride that keeps me upright and stalwart, Semper Fi.
It’s been fifty eight years since boot for me. I am still as proud as I was on graduation day. Semper Fi.