I graduated from MCRDSD on October 14th, 1976 Plt. 2074. After commencement services releasing all of us, the base commanding General's motorcade drove up in front of the theater at the end of the parade deck. Everyone stood back as Major General Kenneth J. Houghton got out of his car, and walked directly up to my father. My senior DI turned white.
Apparently whilst I was in boot camp, the General was misquoted saying his recruits these days contained many illiterate candidates for boot camp. My father wrote him a letter explaining his dismay at the newspapers comments. The General wrote back, and said it was a misquote. He had my father to MCRDSD for lunch three times while I was in boot camp to give him an update on my training.
After the motorcade stopped and Major General Houghton walked up to my father, he looked me in the eye and he asked me what 2 + 2 was. I told him 4. My father and him had a good laugh. I did not have a clue what it was all about, and was ready to make a head call myself I was so nervous. I found all this out on the way home. Here is a picture with my father and Major General Houghton the day of my graduation on 10/14/1976. Thought you might enjoy the picture and story.
Although my name is Doug, the caption reads, " To Pvt. Thomas Blackburn, a fine young Marine. Best Wishes as you embark on your tour as a U.S. Marine. Major General Kenneth J. Houghton, USMC "
After they took some pictures, the general got back in his car, and motorcade sped off to another part of the base. If any Marines remember me from Plt. 2074, drop me a line at twinboom[at]msn[dot]com. Our Senior drill instructor was Staff Sergeant Wallace. Happy Days………….
Doug Blackburn
Yucaipa California