I read with interest the item entitled “What Irritates Me” in the latest news letter (21 July) because I am in the same category. I am a marine who arrived at the Marine Corps recruit depot in Parris Island, S C in April of 1961. Upon release from my six months (179 days) of active duty, I was assigned to a 105 artillery battalion in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and we fired our guns until I completed my enlistment, being honorably discharged in January of 1967. During this time, I had signed the blank check (my life on the line), the concept never came closer than when we were assembled on the parade field at Camp Pendleton to hear President Johnson’s speech citing his options relating to the Tonkin Bay incident. The organization was saying that he was planning to call the reserves to reinforce his position in Vietnam. He announced, however, his decision that he was going to increase the draft and train more people; and that the reserves would not be called. I guess that if he had chosen option 1, I would have been a “veteran”.
I don’t know how many times that I have asked myself or had others asked if I am a veteran. I have never applied for or care about government benefits but feel like I should be able to be in the count when someone says, “All veterans please stand up”.
I, to this day, adorn my office with USMC paraphernalia, own a 1951 M38 jeep (Photo attached) and am still proud to be called “Marine”
Jack Wallace
1836729
E-4 USMCR