- Joined
- Feb 16, 2009
- Messages
- 249
Great Story.
I still remember mine also. SSGT Longoria was SDI, SSGT Armstrong (Recon out of Nam) and SGT Watkins.
SGT Watkins had it out for me, I'm sure of it. Mostly because he told me so.
Later in the fleet we became friends and I have to say, he got me in trouble once. He actually got us thrown out of Disneyland. You know how hard it is to get thrown out of Disneyland.
If you're on this board Sgt Watkins, Thanks alot i still remember it like it was yesterday.
JB
I still remember mine also. SSGT Longoria was SDI, SSGT Armstrong (Recon out of Nam) and SGT Watkins.
SGT Watkins had it out for me, I'm sure of it. Mostly because he told me so.
Later in the fleet we became friends and I have to say, he got me in trouble once. He actually got us thrown out of Disneyland. You know how hard it is to get thrown out of Disneyland.
If you're on this board Sgt Watkins, Thanks alot i still remember it like it was yesterday.
JB
Following JB’s lead, I have changed my avatar to my very first Unit in the US Marine Corps.
It all started here in Oct 1977. 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island SC
Wow does it seem like it is so long ago. But I can remember it like it was yesterday. I had three Drill Instructors. My SDI was a S/SGT who had completed three tours of duty in Vietnam as a Marine Infantryman. I used to think he had a vengeance for me because it felt like every time he was near me it was always “Push my deck to China Recruit” and off to the quarterdeck I would go…..
I ran into him in the fleet about 6 years later in Oct of 83’. I was a SGT and he was a 1stSGT. He was with 1/8 and I was with 2/6. It was in Beirut Lebanon, he was wounded but still moving making sure the perimeter was secure and I can remember him smiling as he looked me in the eye and said “out of the entire Marine Corps and they send you to relieve me” and as he shook my hand he continued, “you’ll do fine Boot, you’ll do fine” and then we went about our job. I have ran into him a few times since, but that day still enters my mind when I think about that time.
I have been back to Parris Island many times since that day. I was stationed there for awhile and have had the privilege to train new Marines there. I have watched the children of fellow Marines walk the parade deck as well. But I am forever indebted to those Marines of 2nd Battalion who trained me.