Great Thanks

At the age of 17 I left High School in my senior year to join the Marine Corps. I enlisted with my neighborhood friends. I was the only one to make it back and every day I thank God and my Drill Instructor Gysgt. Williams for making it back. If it weren’t for him and the Marine Corps I wouldn’t be what I am today. My whole life, focus, discipline and honor are based on what I was taught in Boot Camp. I thank God every day that I am a Marine and I will die a Marine. I served from 1969-1972.

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10 thoughts on “Great Thanks”

  1. I would really like to agree with you, but I can’t! My whole life is based on PTSD! The Marine trainig helps, but it is not a cure all. Paul S.

    1. After writing the previous comment,I would add, that I do believe that I am alive today because of my Marine training. Semper Fi! Paul S.

        1. got the form, did not yet fill it out, i will do it real soon. How long does it taketo get a response ?

  2. Where did you go to Boot Camp? Our SDI was S/Sgt R.E. Williams , Oct-Dec 67 3rd Battalion PI Harry 1371

  3. I agree 100% my brother. But I would have to add that I am alive today because of the help from God. In August 1997 I turn myself in to the VA hospital in Tampa Florida. During that two year stay there I realized that when I turned my back On God in Vietnam he never turned his back on me. Semper Fi !! 1371. 1966-70

  4. My 2 tours in RVN with the 1st MARDIV(Rein) FMF (1966-1967) for some damn reason made me what I am today. I am alive today thanks to my boot training and my Plt.Cmdr. SSgt. Fleck, even though my PTSD causes me to act out. I still follow the discipline, honor, and Corps every day. I am a member of an all-Marine honor guard at the Riverside National cemetery to ensure all veterans receive the honors they deserve. Semper Fi!

  5. MIKE.
    SAME HISTORY—SAME ATTATUDE—-SAME FEELINS.
    BRENDAN MC CARRON 1ST MAW DANANG VIETNAM 1966–68.
    LIVIND LIFE TO THE FULLEST AND ENJOYING EVERY DAY—-99%.
    MINOR PTSD STARTING TO SURFACE. JUST DRINK MORE BEER TO HELP
    SOME. SEMPER FI MARINE. SEE YOU IN HEAVEN I HOPE.

  6. I was in the supermarket the other day, when I seen a Marine about my age 68-69. He did say Semper Fi but when I started to talk, he seemed to have some kind of emotional problem and said he had to go, just as I wanted to hand him a gift from SGT Grit but he took off to fast. A few minutes later I had my Marine decal ready and said to him, Hey Marine I am trying to keep the Brotherhood alive so here is a gift. This time he did not run away and said thank you. As I was checking out, he came by holding the decal in his hand with a big smile. I always try to reach out to my fellow Marines. Semper Fi. 1972-1974

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