Marines Who Made a Difference

In March of 1984, I entered the Marine Corps on active duty at Parris Island, South Carolina. It's hard to believe that 22 years have passed. Damn.

Sitting here today, I'm not sure exactly what made me decide to join the Marine Corps. I just turned 18 and wasn't interested in going to college. I was working at a truck stop on the midnight shift, and didn't see much of a future in making that a career. All I knew is that I wanted to do something, anything except what I was doing. I wanted to do something worthwhile.

My father was a Marine Corps paratrooper, and I heard his USMC stories many times growing up. I remember the way he would get happy talking about his time "in the Service". I loved to look at the old photos of him in uniform; images of him hanging out with his Jarhead buddies who had smiles on all their faces. I think that might be part of the reason I decided to join; that and the fact that he told the recruiter to call me.

My recruiter was awesome. His name was Hobson "Ace" Bethune (his twin brother was a Marine called "Deuce"; and he was the grandson of Mary Mcleod Bethune). Ace was a straight shooter and a great guy. I hear stories from friends who told me their recruiter's screwed them over; but mine never lied to me, and he even loaned me his motorcycle after I graduated bootcamp. SSgt Bethune was another reason I became a Marine. He finally retired a few years ago as a Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9) and now volunteers helping kids in Florida. I owe that man several beers for putting me on the path.

My Drill Instructors in bootcamp were also great guys. My Platoon was squared away; and SSgt Hicks, Sgt Monroe, and SSgt Birch made an effective Drill Instructor team. If those guys are out there reading this now, I want to thank them profusely. Without you, I would not have seen my true potential, or had the opportunity to be as successful as I am today.

To all of those men I owe a great deal of gratitude, and want to say "thank you" from the bottom of my heart. The Marine Corps is a family like no other. To all who those who can claim the title "Marine", I say Semper Fidelis!