squealing and hopping until he realized other Marines were looking at him. Then he would calm down into a manly "John Wayne" exhibition of controlled joy, but using the "F" word as often as possible. "Jesus (Blank) Christ, it's (Blank) great to get the (Blank) back home!" Yeah, right, tough guy!
A Marine Corps band was playing John Philip Souza marches and this added to the gala affair. Then they broke into the Marine Corps Hymn. I broke out in goose bumps and this entire shipload of combat hardened Marines sang out in loud throaty voices. "From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli!" I was astounded that Marine "esprit de Corps" was so natural and unashamedly present in every one of us Leathernecks. I sang along with them and looked at the faces. They ranged from young 18 year olds to grizzled men, vintage WWII, to the old vets (in their 50's) from WWI, who just finished their third war and were singing the Marine Corps Hymn right along with us. Its one thing to profess being gung-ho in boot camp or some duty post, but to exhibit and feel gung-ho as you return from a war, was incredible. I pitied any enemy unlucky enough to come across US Marines. God I'm glad I was a Marine. I hated having to leave its ranks." Semper Fi! Eddie" I received this email from Harry Alfeo 2nd 2ndPlt 12/51 - 12/52 "Young Marine Master Sergeant Philip Williams, the Young Marine that the 1st Texas Regiment submitted as the National Young Marine of the year did not get the title, but he represented the |
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Regiment superbly. One of the finest young men I have ever met. I said it before and I will say it again, the future for America looks great when we have young people like Philip in the wings ready to take over when their time comes. I have attached a photo of Philip and his parents. A terrific family.
As you may know the official spokesman for the Young Marines is R. Lee Emery, i.e. Gunny Hartman from "Full Metal Jacket". The man is quite a motivational speaker and truly enjoys being associated with our program. His photo is also included. As you know, Shifty, I am always on the look out for former Marines who served with A-1-7 at onetime or another in their careers. I submitted an application to our association for Lt. Col. Mike Kessler, USMC (ret), who serves as the National Executive Director of the Young Marines of the Marine Corps League. At the Young Marine Commanding Officers Conference held in Reno, NV I found another proud member whose name I will be submitting for membership in our great association. His name is Captain George B. Meegan, USMC (Ret). Like Col. Kessler and me Captain Meegan is also involved in the Young Marine program in Tempe, Arizona. He served with A-1-7 in 1958. Perhaps some of our members have served with him. I hand delivered the cover you sent me for Col. Kessler. He told me that on a recent flight as the plane took off the man next to him turned on his laptop computer. The first thing to show up was the Marine Corps Emblem. Col. Kessler introduced himself and the two compared notes. It turned out this former Marine |
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also was a Commanding Officer of A-1-7 during his time in the Corps. I did not get his name, but a soon as I do I will be submitting it for member-ship as well.
Shifty, not a day goes by that I do not think of the men I served with in Korea, and now with the members I may not have served with, but am now so closely associated with in the A-1-7 Association. There is no finer group of men on the face of this earth. Semper Fidelis "Alf" 
More scoop from Eddie: "Shifty, I saved the Lady Liberty Fireworks you sent me until yesterday. My son James came with his family to spend the day. We had a super time out on the patio; we BBQ'd some ribs, hot |
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Semper Fi |