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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

R. A. Jennings 63-69 RVN 64-66 - June 28, 2020

I went through the 3rd Battalion at PI but I don’t remember ever taking a Cattle Car (we took them in Lejeune) we walked or marched every where we had to go. I remember the Greyhound Bus that brought us from Charleston Airport to Parris Island, arriving at 0200 and have to get up at 0500. First few days are a blur but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world accept my family.

Denny - June 28, 2020

1966-1969 Arrived at Parris Island 2 months after my 17th b-day. An adventure I would never forget. One of best things I did in my life. 1966-1969 3 yr hitch in at 17 out by 20. Vn 67-68.

Ken Buck - June 28, 2020

1972 may have been 44 years ago but I sure remember the cattle car, along with other memories of P.I.

Robert LaRocca - June 28, 2020

Any or us that went to P.I in those days remembers.

Robert La Rocca - June 28, 2020

My day of birth was November 3rd, 1953. I remember riding the train from either Newark nj or New York. It was a long ride. It was the first time I had ever seen a tree with fuzz hanging. When we arrived at P.I. and got off by a barracks with Sgt Grady standing on the top step. We were given a verbal indoctrination. I didn’t know that he would be my new father and mother and God. Made it through, got my PFC stripe and the rest is history. Honorably discharged as Sgt on July 22, 1960. I was an adventure I’ll never forget.

Cpl Ret - June 28, 2020

Yes cattle.car took us to drown proofing and THE GAS CHAMBER

B. K. - June 28, 2020

Who can forget the cattle car transportation. At Parris Island, the D.I. wouldn’t even let you look up to see where you were on the base. Had no idea where anything was and where you were headed. Interesting ride. A trip down memory lane 52 years ago. Semper Fi.

Dominguez Gunnery Sgt - June 28, 2020

Lol!! Unbelievable day!! I was 23 after college I went to be a grunt. I wrote home to my wife and said WTF!! I thought at that time I might of made a bad Decision!! But it truly was my true birth place that made me the man I am today. That was 26 years ago!! ???

Richard Chase - June 28, 2020

I remember the “cattle carrier” all too well. It was horrendous in the So Cal summers.

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