thedrifter
11-12-06, 05:28 PM
Marines Corps celebrates birthday
Military branch steeped in tradition.
By SHAWNA RICHTER
srichter@thehawkeye.com
Marines long since retired and those heading to boot camp in summer 2007 all stood in the Memorial Auditorium Friday night as the Marine Corps 231st birthday cake was cut.
Charles Burk, 88, of Wever, the oldest Marine in the room, had the honor of cutting the cake with a saber.
"The sword is used to cut the cake to remind us that we are a band of soldiers," said Larry Schacklett of the Hamilton–Walters Marine Corps League.
When Burk took his piece of cake from the table, he passed it on to 22–year–old Jess Howard of Burlington, the youngest Marine in the room. It served as a symbol of knowledge and traditions passed on generation to generation of Marines.
Traditionally, Marines host a Marine Ball to celebrate their national birthday, said John Brown, commodore of the Marine Corps league, but in Burlington, where the group's ranks are reduced, the men and women host a formal program and a dinner.
Bob McCulloch, Roy Gillette and Jim Richart have been at those programs for a number of years, honoring the branch of military they joined because it was the best.
Each of the three has stories to share about their military service. None claim to be heroes.
"The guys that fall on grenades (to save their buddies) were the heroes," Richart said.
But each of them would have done just that because they are Marines.
"We are blood brothers," McCulloch said. "We'd never leave anyone out there (in the field). We'd risk our necks to get them out."
During his stint in Korea, McCulloch ran 250 yards beyond the main line of troops to retrieve a friend.
"When you're scared, you really can move," he said with a grin. "We (Marines) really depend on each other."
And they believe in tradition.
It is those beliefs they passed down to the younger Marines Friday night.
Gunnery Sgt. Jon Shelton, a Marine recruiter in West Burlington, said he wouldn't let Marines of the past down.
"We don't do what we do for God, country or corps," he said. "We do it for the love of the fellow Marine. ... The Marines of today and the Marines of tomorrow, we won't let you down. We have been and always will be ready and willing to fight."
For more information on the Marine Corps league, call John Brown at (319) 392–4942 or Todd Lange at (309) 924–1561.
Ellie
Military branch steeped in tradition.
By SHAWNA RICHTER
srichter@thehawkeye.com
Marines long since retired and those heading to boot camp in summer 2007 all stood in the Memorial Auditorium Friday night as the Marine Corps 231st birthday cake was cut.
Charles Burk, 88, of Wever, the oldest Marine in the room, had the honor of cutting the cake with a saber.
"The sword is used to cut the cake to remind us that we are a band of soldiers," said Larry Schacklett of the Hamilton–Walters Marine Corps League.
When Burk took his piece of cake from the table, he passed it on to 22–year–old Jess Howard of Burlington, the youngest Marine in the room. It served as a symbol of knowledge and traditions passed on generation to generation of Marines.
Traditionally, Marines host a Marine Ball to celebrate their national birthday, said John Brown, commodore of the Marine Corps league, but in Burlington, where the group's ranks are reduced, the men and women host a formal program and a dinner.
Bob McCulloch, Roy Gillette and Jim Richart have been at those programs for a number of years, honoring the branch of military they joined because it was the best.
Each of the three has stories to share about their military service. None claim to be heroes.
"The guys that fall on grenades (to save their buddies) were the heroes," Richart said.
But each of them would have done just that because they are Marines.
"We are blood brothers," McCulloch said. "We'd never leave anyone out there (in the field). We'd risk our necks to get them out."
During his stint in Korea, McCulloch ran 250 yards beyond the main line of troops to retrieve a friend.
"When you're scared, you really can move," he said with a grin. "We (Marines) really depend on each other."
And they believe in tradition.
It is those beliefs they passed down to the younger Marines Friday night.
Gunnery Sgt. Jon Shelton, a Marine recruiter in West Burlington, said he wouldn't let Marines of the past down.
"We don't do what we do for God, country or corps," he said. "We do it for the love of the fellow Marine. ... The Marines of today and the Marines of tomorrow, we won't let you down. We have been and always will be ready and willing to fight."
For more information on the Marine Corps league, call John Brown at (319) 392–4942 or Todd Lange at (309) 924–1561.
Ellie