My wife & I planned a visit to Parris Island for 19 September 2014. It was fifty years to the day that I graduated with Platoon 157.
Unbeknownst to me, my wife was planning a surprise for me. With the help of a few members of my Marine Corps League Detachment (Tamarac Det. 755) she was able to get in touch with the correct Marines aboard Parris Island to help in the planning. ​She was hoping that maybe I would get recognized as a past recruit who was aboard the base for the day. What got arranged was reserved VIP seating at the Morning Colors Ceremony and the Graduation Ceremony. In between the two ceremonies I was asked to pose with the Commanding General and Depot Sgt Maj, along with my wife Lucretia, on the steps of the Headquarters Building (photo attached). As the General was giving his talk to the spectators at the Morning Colors he stood directly in front of me and glanced at me when he said something to the effect that the Marines of today build upon the Marines of the past.
We live about seven hours from PI and have visited the base many times over the years, but this visit will stick in my memory for many years to come.
Semper Fidelis,
Mike LaBozzetta
Cpl. 1964-1967
3371​
