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The Day We Were Born
July 6, 2016 Grunt.com Admin

The Day We Were Born

How many of us can remember the day we were born? The actual day I mean. I can with crystal clarity. Tomorrow, 30 June 2016, is my 50th birthday and I remember every detail of the occasion. I was born into the loving arms of my new family members and the legendary yellow footprints at MCRD Parris Island. Oh how well I remember the day. My new father/mother/girlfriend greeted me with love in his eyes, open arms and comforting platitudes. It was a soft, albeit hot summer southern evening with a gentle breeze carrying the gentle aroma of swamp. Ah the memories of all the wonderful things that my new life was going to bring to me. The anticipation was delicious. My favorite and most unforgettable memory of that evening long ago was the screaming inside my head that said repeatedly: “What the **** have I done?” I’m sure we all remember the terror as a new and wonderful awakening occurred. FIFTY years? How the heck did that happen… I was 19 just yesterday.

Anyone remember this picture of our comfortable and welcoming mode of mass transit?

Semper Fi my brothers, sisters and friends and happy birthday to me… I think.

Gerry Zanzalari
220XXXX
1966 – 1970
RVN 1968 – 1969

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Comments

Art - June 28, 2020

I served in reserves with a Cunningham from 1962 to 1967 10th Motor Transport at Phila Naval Yard

T Montana - June 28, 2020

YUP ! Sure do remember thee ol’cattle car , Every ride the ol’ DI had us keeping our covers over our face .. LOL Went thru boot at PI Grad 14 AUG 1972 1st Bn PLY 154

Ernie Strong - June 28, 2020

October 1966, 1 st Battalion,Plt. 105. Got so tired you could fall asleep in one till the DI caught you

Donald G Keith Jr. - June 28, 2020

Aug. 2nd 1970 MCRD San Diego was the day I started boot camp. I remember where I first stood on the yellow footprints. I stood on that same spot when my Son graduated ,29 years later. Oh yeah I was born in Camp Lejeune when my father was in the Marines. Semper Fi to all my Brothers and Sisters.

Don Frewin, Cpl - June 28, 2020

All these stories of young boys off to become Marines and “The first day of their life”. It just reaffirms me of the love and pride that we still have for our Corps. I thank God on a weekly basis that He allowed me to become a United States Marine.

Frank Walker, SSgt, CWO3, Capt - June 28, 2020

My dad went through PI in 1916. Doubt if they had cattle cars back then. If they did they sure weren’t motor driven. My birthdate was 14 August 1962 when I marched down the grinder at MCRD, SDiego for final review. There were cattle cars at both SDiego and Camp Pendleton. Long, green pieces of crap with wooden benches that beat you to death. One of my DI’s was KIA in Nam, one retired as a MGySgt and one as a LtCol. Served with one of them on Oki with 3dFSR then again in KBay with the 3d Marines, 1st Marine Brigade.

henry kaspar - June 28, 2020

I was wondering what happen to all the old timers then I noticed your birth date THE OLD CORP Feb 1950 was my BD semper fi

Cpl. Cardenas W.J. - June 28, 2020

You Devil Dogs bring back memories…I did it…done it..lived it…thx..Semper Fi till we die..

Frank Nelson, Sgt 1953 – 1956 - June 28, 2020

I was born 63 years ago this month. Never saw a cattle car at PI or anywhere else. We walked everywhere we went. Was in “Battle Cry” in Jan 54′ of PR with Hq-2-2. Then an observer Radio Operator on a Helicopter Carrier “U.S.S. Mendora”, HQ-12-3, on Iwo Feb 55′ for the 10th anniversary, I moved around a lot but always FMF. LeJeune, Quantico, Hawaii, Okinawa, Japan.

Lcpl Thomas Brown - June 28, 2020

I’m a ex marine form Dec 60, to March 65. But as the saying goes once a Marine always a Marine. Would like to hear from other Marines station in Kaneohe Bay, 3rd battalion H&S company.

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