Since you guys are showing off 'Hollywood Marine' pics lately, I have included my platoon pic from Feb – April, 1962, and then it was off to Pendleton for ITR. I had one of the 'glory' seats in this pic as I was runner up to be Honor Man.
That's me to the left of the platoon Sgts, as you view it. I wish memory served me well enough to name any of the men in the platoon. I DO remember the Sgts though! To my left as I am seated, is Sgt. Kelly, SSgt Zalanka, and Cpl. Land.
I was something of an 'odd bird' in my enlistment, as I joined the Marines married. And I returned to San Diego after ITR for Comm Elect school (Where I ended my career in the Marines teaching in 68.) No one told me I couldn't, so I went back to the boot training area and got to know my platoon sgts better. Ended up dining a couple of times with Cpl. Land, and playing catch several times at Sgt. Kelly's apt complex. I remember meeting SSgt Zalanka in a repo lot where I went to help another Marine reclaim his car, and he told me had been mustered out for a bad ticker. I remember the look in his eyes as he told me he had to leave the Marines. He was well over twenty, so he mustered out with retirement and was working for an insurance company investigating claims. But, it was clear he loved the Marine Corps.
The wild experiences of my six plus years in the Marines were not yet even beginning …
Most Sincerely,
Kent M. Yates