View Full Version : Return to Parris Island
USMC 2571
08-28-18, 02:11 PM
In 1996 I went back to boot camp at Parris Island, SC with a group of 14----I was sitting alone in the reviewing stands when Sgt Waters stopped his platoon of recruits, walked over to me and asked if I wanted to talk with them. I politely declined, and thanked him, and then he asked me when I went thru, and I said 1963, and that last remaining white wooden barracks (since torn down) (in the background of this photo) was mine. He called his fellow DIs over, looked at the sky and whistled, like I had told him I was in during the Revolutionary War, and he said to them "Boys--he was born in that white elephant over yonder!" Then when he saw I was about to take his picture, he put on his DI face, even though no one else was around.
Went as a guest of the D.I. reunion in 2011, all the wood barracks are gone and the third Bn. was being rebuilt when I was there.
The grinder was the same as back in 68 :)
Our 50th reunion is this year in Oct.
advanced
08-28-18, 03:16 PM
The 3rd was pretty new when I landed there Jan 67
The 3rd was pretty new when I landed there Jan 67
Yeah third herd had the brick bldgs when I was there in 68 (like the rifle range barracks) those were still there in 2011 but the new ones were being built across the street
Tennessee Top
08-28-18, 05:15 PM
Went to two graduation ceremonies around four years ago.
32847
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuPb2lbyZKM
At 7:20 to 8..... is my old wood barracks in 2nd Bn.
USMC 2571
08-28-18, 06:34 PM
3rd Bn had brick buildings even in 1963---so did the Rifle Range
advanced
08-29-18, 08:28 AM
3rd Bn had brick buildings even in 1963---so did the Rifle Range
I didn't know that, thanks for the info old timer.
USMC 2571
08-29-18, 09:31 AM
hahahahaha---don't mention it, young un
Marine1955
08-31-18, 12:42 PM
I would give my left testy to be go back to P.I. and see what it like today..
USMC 2571
08-31-18, 12:52 PM
Go back. They LOVE Marine guests. If you go with a group, like I did, they will give you a DI for the entire day, including guided tours to restricted areas, chow hall, rifle range etc places you cannot go to on your own......Our DI refused to take the money we put in an envelope for him at the end of the day, so I remembered the scene in The Caine Mutiny with Humphrey Bogart---remember the skipper leaving the ship after being relieved by Queeg? Captain DeVries? He refused the gift they offered him, a watch, so the sailor left it on the side of the ship's railing, and DeVries could now accept it, since it was lost property just sitting there, He said well, look what someone left here, etc----so I put the envelope full of money on the ground and walked away and said, well, Sgt, if you can't accept it, that's ok, someone will be along and find a nice pile of cash, a real windfall------he ran over and picked it up then. hahaha
USMC 2571
08-31-18, 12:53 PM
Even as an individual visiting, they will give you PX privileges for the day to buy USMC items, souvenirs etc They treat you like a king. Sergeant's and Lt Cols were calling me Sir all day. They go out of their way to welcome Marine vets
Theoldgunny
08-31-18, 01:57 PM
Heck when I arrived 1n 52 there were just taking down the 6th bn those people were in sqd tents between the 2ndb bn an the main drag
FistFu68
08-31-18, 04:07 PM
I miss that place I really do
Go visit! you won't be disappointed as you will have a totally different perspective as a civilian !
They do treat you like royalty when you tell them when you went through? lol
Somethings never have changed? the steel bldgs across from 2nd Bn. were still there in 2011. It was a real good time /I saw a graduation on the grinder as well.