Was commuting from CA, (2004) and still working whilst building the retirement home… got to Nashville every couple weeks to check on progress, make decisions (colors, etc.), all the things involved with the general contractor… got on the internet one night with the laptop at the motel, was sure I had changed my airline reservation by one day… got to the airport, went to check in, and the CSR advised that my res was for the day before, and the plane was full, and basically, I was scr-wed… (feeder airline for United). The Station Manager happened by, must've noted my cover, wanted to know what the problem was? A few keyboard clicks later, he had created a seat on a full flight for me… and told me he was never a Marine, but was a Master Guns' dependent… and pointing to the flag hung in the ticket gallery, said "that flag's up there because of guys like my Dad and you… have a nice flight!" True story… I hope some poor travelling salesman didn't get bumped… but wasn't going to ask…
Doc Perez was the K/3/5 Senior Corpsman, and there is some Company legend about the Doc decreeing the Officer's head unserviceable… so he had it burnt. (the building… never mind the barrels)… wasn't there at the time, so my info is sketchy and second-hand, perhaps embellished from the intervening 45 or so years… the other picture, however, which could have been taken at any number of hills, positions, cantonments, etc. is sure to bring back memories for nearly all who see it…
Ddick