The day I was sworn in, January 1962, it snowed so heavy you couldn't see the road and the base where I was being sworn in was thirty miles away. I had to be there at 0900 so I left home at 0700. I was driving a 1950 Plymouth which anyone could attest to, is a tank. On my way on a back road a Volkswagen Beetle was approaching me when it slid head on into me at about 20 mph. The entire front of the Beetle was crushed and my car was barely scratched. The other driver was being followed by a friend so we exchanged information, pushed the car aside and we both drove off. I finally arrived to the swearing in almost 30 minutes late. I explained to the recruiters and officer about the accident but they still appeared to be pissed. Finally the eleven of us put our right hands in the air and took our oath. After the oath the Captain pulled me aside and I thought what a bad start. Then two camera men appeared and started taking pictures of me and the Captain. Now I was really confused. Finally after five or ten pictures the camera men disappeared and so did the Captain. I grabbed a Gunny standing by and asked him what the hell that was all about. He simply responded, "It's your birthday" I laughed and responded "Todays not my birthday" Now he laughed. "I know that but your birthday is 10 November and that is the Marine Corps Birthday which you will discover, is a big deal. That's why the Captain had his picture taken with you. They are going to do a little article in the paper. Needless to say I found out MY birthday was a big deal.
Jarhead Jack