thedrifter
02-24-06, 11:14 AM
Corps’ story told by leathernecks
MCB Quantico
Story by: Cpl. Susan Smith
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.(Feb. 23, 2006) -- While walking the aisles of a book store or library, one will find entire sections dedicated to military history stories of war heroes, bloody battles and the evolution of weaponry and combat. But one author insists his book is different from any ever placed on those shelves.
And who else would make such a bold statement but a Marine?
“It’s not just a history book, it is a story of the heroes, innovations of warfare, and the uniqueness of the United States Marine Corps over any other military service on the face of the Earth,” said retired Col. H. Avery Chenoweth. “It was written to educate everyone – non-Marines and young Marines – about the great and glorious traditions of those who went before us.”
The 480-page book weighs 7.5 pounds almost as much as the M16A2 service rifle.
Semper Fi: The Definitive Illustrated History of the U.S. Marines contains more than 1,100 images, many of which have never previously been published. Chenoweth’s friend, fellow Marine and life-long mentor, retired Col. Brooke Nihart, contributed with his own excerpts throughout the text.
Many people took advantage of the opportunity to meet and get their books signed by Chenoweth and Nihart at the Marine Corps Association Bookstore Thursday. Many who stopped by were active duty Marines who wanted to meet the veterans, some were seasoned retirees who felt a connection to the authors, and others were military family members with a plan for the book.
Marie Wolson, the wife of a retired Marine helicopter pilot, purchased one book for a Navy friend who she teased is a “wanna-be Marine” and another she plans to give to her husband as a surprise.
Wolson said her husband, Abe, who served three tours in Vietnam, has always been proud to be a Marine, but shows it more than ever since the War on Terrorism began. He displays Marine Corps stickers and a license plate frame on his vehicle and has hung up other things in the house.
“Marines who served in Vietnam were often vilified and even spat on here at home,” Wolson said. “But now, Marines are finally being appreciated. He sees that, and it means a lot to him.”
Chenoweth and Nihart served in the Korean War and Vietman, and Chenoweth also served in the Gulf War. But the book reaches to audiences of all eras, capturing the Corps’ history from its inception to the second battle of Fallujah.
“This is to instill, in its own way, the esprit de corps we all have, cherish and must never lose,” Chenoweth said, adding yet another bold statement. “We Marines are like no other, and if that sounds like a boast, take it as such.”
Ellie
MCB Quantico
Story by: Cpl. Susan Smith
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.(Feb. 23, 2006) -- While walking the aisles of a book store or library, one will find entire sections dedicated to military history stories of war heroes, bloody battles and the evolution of weaponry and combat. But one author insists his book is different from any ever placed on those shelves.
And who else would make such a bold statement but a Marine?
“It’s not just a history book, it is a story of the heroes, innovations of warfare, and the uniqueness of the United States Marine Corps over any other military service on the face of the Earth,” said retired Col. H. Avery Chenoweth. “It was written to educate everyone – non-Marines and young Marines – about the great and glorious traditions of those who went before us.”
The 480-page book weighs 7.5 pounds almost as much as the M16A2 service rifle.
Semper Fi: The Definitive Illustrated History of the U.S. Marines contains more than 1,100 images, many of which have never previously been published. Chenoweth’s friend, fellow Marine and life-long mentor, retired Col. Brooke Nihart, contributed with his own excerpts throughout the text.
Many people took advantage of the opportunity to meet and get their books signed by Chenoweth and Nihart at the Marine Corps Association Bookstore Thursday. Many who stopped by were active duty Marines who wanted to meet the veterans, some were seasoned retirees who felt a connection to the authors, and others were military family members with a plan for the book.
Marie Wolson, the wife of a retired Marine helicopter pilot, purchased one book for a Navy friend who she teased is a “wanna-be Marine” and another she plans to give to her husband as a surprise.
Wolson said her husband, Abe, who served three tours in Vietnam, has always been proud to be a Marine, but shows it more than ever since the War on Terrorism began. He displays Marine Corps stickers and a license plate frame on his vehicle and has hung up other things in the house.
“Marines who served in Vietnam were often vilified and even spat on here at home,” Wolson said. “But now, Marines are finally being appreciated. He sees that, and it means a lot to him.”
Chenoweth and Nihart served in the Korean War and Vietman, and Chenoweth also served in the Gulf War. But the book reaches to audiences of all eras, capturing the Corps’ history from its inception to the second battle of Fallujah.
“This is to instill, in its own way, the esprit de corps we all have, cherish and must never lose,” Chenoweth said, adding yet another bold statement. “We Marines are like no other, and if that sounds like a boast, take it as such.”
Ellie