Sgt Grit:
Attached is a photo taken by my wife on July 10, 2009. It shows my son, Francis, saluting me on the same parade deck on which I graduated in May ’69. I am justifiably proud, as you might guess. I am, however, even MORE proud of the fact Francis had to lose 65 pounds to even be able to enlist, AND he lost an additional 40 pounds in boot camp. His platoon mates told me he was an inspiration to others who had to lose weight. He constantly motivated them to lose weight. OOOO-RAH!!
Dudley Garidel
Chief Warrant Officer 4 of Marines (Ret)
Semper Fidelis
Non Sibi Sed Patriae
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
“If you seek peace, prepare for war”
I know how you felt I got to watch my son graduate boot camp on the same spot that I did in August 1969. He also was in same battalion 2nd ( the best ) He graduated in 1993 What a day that was Realizing that your son was a man a marine ….. Uhhhhh Rahhh
I also went through boot in the summer of ’69. Just pulled my boot book to see if we were in the same platoon. We weren’t. But we were in the same Bn. I was in platoon 2108 and graduated on 19 August 1969. Gee that’s just two days from now and it will be 47 years. Boy how does time fly. I also got to watch my son become a Marine when his mother and fiancée pinned his “Butter Bars” on in May of 2001 at Annapolis. I also was there when he graduated from The Basic School the next Feb.
My father watched me graduate in San Diego. I surprised him by saluting him when he walked up to me ( he was a retired Marine Aviator Major). I watched two of my nephews graduate from the same parade deck in MCRD San Diego. I was still active duty at the time so in uniform. One them just stood at attention as I walked up. I yelled at him” PFC, you don’t salute Officers?” Then he popped a salute! The other nephew heard the story and learned from his mistake!!!
I was in Platoon 2147, “Honor Platoon” of our series. We arrived at MCRD on August 4, 1969 and began training on August 18 and graduated on October 14. Our Platoon Commander was GySgt. Lucas, Senior Drill Instructor was SSgt. Botelho and Drill Instructor Sgt Renshaw. I could write a book about that time but it has been covered many times already on “Grit.” I don’t have to look in my Platoon Book to see their faces to this day! Three of the best Marines there were. I’d do it all over again in a “heartbeat” if I could! “SEMPER FI”
SGT N.M.Weisman Nov 1 1951-Nov 1 1959 I was in Honor Platoon 437 MCRD Senior DI S/Sgt. V.W.Minkle and Corp C.L.Cassett Can never forget that time Is their any one around from that Platoon
P. S. I forgot to add that in 1969 I was at basic in Pasis Island platoon 291 WOW. Has it been that long
Pasis Island?? You must have been in the girl Scouts.How do you spell OOHRAH!!! Three (3) exclam marks.Get down and give me10,000 bends an mothers till Pluto is a planet again. DIE wannabe.
I got emotions when I see this military graduations. My son Pedro he graduate as a USMC at Parris Island, South Caroline in 1981 on F Company Platoon #2061. I’m very proud of him. He follow my example, “as father as son” I did join voluntarily the USMC in 1962. My boot camp training were then in Camp Lejeune “HOME OF EXPEDITIONARY FORCES IN READINESS” 7th. Marines Regiment, first division and 3rd. battalion. Special Tactical Operations, additional training on special force, surviving task into the Jungles of Panama (USARSA)”School Las Americas” at Fort Gulick, Fort Quick, Panama City and Fort Sherman Bahia Limon at Caribbean sea. Other specialized operations tactical training on Fort Benning, Georgia,USA. Then sent to Vietnam with special tactical mission and assignment over to USS Americas Aircraft Carrier CV-66 (kitty Hawk). Top secret classified missions. Retired on May 12 1973 with metals and ribbons decorations.Honorable Military Discharge. I did love it very much that I am very proud to served my country, if I have to fight again, I’m ready with my 78 years young, This Nam war record Inclusive I had the PTSD, medication and medical mental treatment for 2 1/2 years. But I am ok now. Ooorahh Semper Fidelis,. “Once a Marine always a Marine”
I L/ Cpl Jonathan Reeves, also graduated from Honor Platoon 2147 October 14 1969. I have been looking for more members from our platoon to see if we can have a 50 year reunion @ MCRD San Diego. Found David Ulhey platoon guide living in Michigan and one other member on Together We Served Marines. So Sgt.Pundt can we work together to achieve this goal. For information on me look me up @ TWS Marines