thedrifter
10-03-03, 10:09 AM
Submitted by: MCRD Parris Island
Story Identification Number: 200310213123
Story by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Brofer
MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C.(Sept. 26, 2003) -- Though the Depot is well known as the place "where it all begins" for recruits in their journey to become Marines, a group of retired and former Marines gathered Sept. 19 at a different place where it truly began for all of them--an old train station in the small town of Yemassee, S.C.--for the First Yemassee Train Depot Reunion.
In 1915, the Marine Corps developed a recruit-receiving station in Yemassee, in coordination with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company, which became the Corps' initial receiving point for the central and eastern recruiting stations. A receiving facility was leased for incoming recruits to stay the night before being shipped to Parris Island. When the lease was terminated in 1965, more than half a million recruits had passed through the railroad junction on their way to Parris Island.
Many of the retired and former Marines could still clearly remember the "abrupt transition" that occurred the night they arrived at the station, where they received their first taste of Marine Corps discipline as active duty Marines took charge of the recruits.
"They were screaming at everybody," said Richard Erb, a former Marine who served from 1959-1963. "One of them picked me up from my shoulders and said, 'Wipe that smile off your face!' ... It was the unknown that was so scary about it."
After spending the night at the receiving station, the recruits were then transported by train to Port Royal, and then bussed to Parris Island.
"There seemed to be a million [drill instructors] waiting in the cattle cars," said Virgil Gralton, a former Marine who served from 1947-1955. "They literally kicked you into the cattle cars, and there weren't any seats, so we had to stand up. It was a rude awakening when you got off that train in Port Royal."
One of the things they remembered the most though, was the wooden receiving barracks in which they stayed the night.
After the receiving depot closed, the building was converted into a furniture store and moved a couple of blocks up the street; however, donations are currently being accepted to help buy back the building, restore it and move it back to its original location.
"We will have that barracks back where it belongs," said Yemassee Mayor J. L. Goodwin, a retired master sergeant.
Goodwin spent many months as a drill instructor at the station, giving recruits their first taste of military life.
Addressing the crowd of former Marines, he said, "I used to welcome you here by the train for a different reason, but it was still heart felt."
All of the guest speakers shared a special connection to the small town with a population of approximately 1,400.
"I went to elementary school less than a mile off this road," said Maj. Gen. Arnold Fields, deputy commander for Marine Corps Forces Europe.
Major Gen. Fields said if it were not for the gallantry of the men and women sitting before him who came through Yemassee more than 50 years ago, the nation would not be where it is today.
"Somewhere it is written that where there is injury - pardon; where there is despair - hope; where there is doubt; faith," he said. "Thank you for giving this country, our Marine Corps and our nation the faith that it has. You have allowed me to be where I am, and allowed this country to be where it is today."
According to Roy Hughes, event coordinator and former Marine, the depot reunion was a way for him to thank the Marines who passed through Yemassee.
"I've seen so many Marines come back to the station over the past 30 years, and I thought it would be the honorable thing to do, to honor those who served their country," he said. "I'd like to thank those who helped coordinate everything, and we hope to have a bigger and better reunion next year."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/B11859DBAB89474E85256DB3005E7CE0?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Story Identification Number: 200310213123
Story by Lance Cpl. Jennifer Brofer
MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C.(Sept. 26, 2003) -- Though the Depot is well known as the place "where it all begins" for recruits in their journey to become Marines, a group of retired and former Marines gathered Sept. 19 at a different place where it truly began for all of them--an old train station in the small town of Yemassee, S.C.--for the First Yemassee Train Depot Reunion.
In 1915, the Marine Corps developed a recruit-receiving station in Yemassee, in coordination with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company, which became the Corps' initial receiving point for the central and eastern recruiting stations. A receiving facility was leased for incoming recruits to stay the night before being shipped to Parris Island. When the lease was terminated in 1965, more than half a million recruits had passed through the railroad junction on their way to Parris Island.
Many of the retired and former Marines could still clearly remember the "abrupt transition" that occurred the night they arrived at the station, where they received their first taste of Marine Corps discipline as active duty Marines took charge of the recruits.
"They were screaming at everybody," said Richard Erb, a former Marine who served from 1959-1963. "One of them picked me up from my shoulders and said, 'Wipe that smile off your face!' ... It was the unknown that was so scary about it."
After spending the night at the receiving station, the recruits were then transported by train to Port Royal, and then bussed to Parris Island.
"There seemed to be a million [drill instructors] waiting in the cattle cars," said Virgil Gralton, a former Marine who served from 1947-1955. "They literally kicked you into the cattle cars, and there weren't any seats, so we had to stand up. It was a rude awakening when you got off that train in Port Royal."
One of the things they remembered the most though, was the wooden receiving barracks in which they stayed the night.
After the receiving depot closed, the building was converted into a furniture store and moved a couple of blocks up the street; however, donations are currently being accepted to help buy back the building, restore it and move it back to its original location.
"We will have that barracks back where it belongs," said Yemassee Mayor J. L. Goodwin, a retired master sergeant.
Goodwin spent many months as a drill instructor at the station, giving recruits their first taste of military life.
Addressing the crowd of former Marines, he said, "I used to welcome you here by the train for a different reason, but it was still heart felt."
All of the guest speakers shared a special connection to the small town with a population of approximately 1,400.
"I went to elementary school less than a mile off this road," said Maj. Gen. Arnold Fields, deputy commander for Marine Corps Forces Europe.
Major Gen. Fields said if it were not for the gallantry of the men and women sitting before him who came through Yemassee more than 50 years ago, the nation would not be where it is today.
"Somewhere it is written that where there is injury - pardon; where there is despair - hope; where there is doubt; faith," he said. "Thank you for giving this country, our Marine Corps and our nation the faith that it has. You have allowed me to be where I am, and allowed this country to be where it is today."
According to Roy Hughes, event coordinator and former Marine, the depot reunion was a way for him to thank the Marines who passed through Yemassee.
"I've seen so many Marines come back to the station over the past 30 years, and I thought it would be the honorable thing to do, to honor those who served their country," he said. "I'd like to thank those who helped coordinate everything, and we hope to have a bigger and better reunion next year."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/B11859DBAB89474E85256DB3005E7CE0?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: