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Last year I was visiting my stepmother in a rest home. While there I noticed an old man wearing a Marine cap. He was so old and frail looking. He told me of joining the Marines at the age of fourteen when WWII broke out. He knew that he had to lie, but it made no difference to him… well, last month I was at the rest home and saw him again. This time the hat was really worn and he didn't really remember meeting me last year… It didn't matter to me if he remembered me or not, what mattered was the old torn worn out hat he had on… I came straight home and called Sgt. Grit and ordered him a new cap with his name, rank, and WWII veteran on it with the Eagle Ball and Anchor… I also ordered him one of the pins with the American flag, Marine emblem, and WWII vet on it… 
Last week my wife and I went to see him to deliver his new hat and pin… This old vet had tears streaming down his face… It was my honor to do this for a Marine friend. Too often these vets just sit and stare out of the window just thinking of the old days… of the things that have happened to them that most people cannot even fathom. He made the statement that my wife and I should not have spent the money… I informed him that he had deserved to have it… And that we were Marines always and forever… Before we left there he was crying again and asked my wife for a hug, which she proudly and happily gave him. We cannot wait to see him again… His name was Sgt. John Bateman.
I am respectfully
Cpl. C.G. Morgan 1962-1965.
1st Plt. M Co 3-5
1st Plt D Co 1-9
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