Friday, September 5, 2003
Friday, September 5, 2003 |
| About
being a Marine past, present and future
By DAVID EPPS PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. It's just before 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, and I'm sitting in metal bleachers overlooking the parade deck (known around these parts as "the grinder") as the hot South Carolina summer sun begins to make its brutal presence known. I am surrounded by hundreds of proud friends, parents, grandparents, spouses, children, and siblings who have come to watch their young man or woman graduate from the grueling process that is Marine Corps Recruit Training, or "basic warrior training." I am here to see and to congratulate Anthony Kyle Bond of Tyrone, an outstanding young man that I have known since he was in elementary school. Fifteen weeks earlier, our church prayed for Kyle the Sunday before he left college and home in the hopes of earning the title of United States Marine. The first time I was here was Friday the 13th of February 1970. Then, as now, there was a war on and, like Kyle, I left the university to enlist. Then, as happened 15 weeks ago, parents struggled to understand why a youth so full of promise would leave college and join the Marines during a dangerous time. Then, as now, people asked why a young person would risk losing everything to go off to Parris Island. In my case, my father had worked hard to get me into the Tennessee National Guard, which, in those days, unlike today, was how a number of young men honorably avoided the draft and missed Vietnam. On Tuesday evening, February 10, my father excitedly told me than I could now get into the Guard. I had been sworn into the Marines that very morning. He was stunned. I had just turned 19. On Thursday, my mom and dad took me to the bus station and, as the bus pulled out, I saw my father, a Navy veteran of World War II, shed tears for the first time in my life. When Mom and Dad returned home later that night, they found a letter that I had left on my bed. Both my mom and dad are dead now. Two weeks ago, as I was sorting through some of their papers, I found the letter, which they kept for the past 33 years. Here's what it said: There are some things that I just can't explain. I feel that I owe the country something. I have to serve. I feel also that I owe you all a great deal. Dad, I've always wanted you to be proud of me more than anything else in the world. Could you really be proud to say, "My son is a good National Guardsman?" Wouldn't you much rather say, "My son is a Marine?" Maybe not. I don't think it would really make any difference. But it does to me. Whether the Marines are the best or not, that's the reputation they have. I want to do something different for a change. I want to be part of the best. I'm already part of the best family in the world. I have to prove something. I have to prove it to myself. I don't know if you understand or not. But it's something I felt so strongly about, I did it no matter what I was advised. Mom and Dad, please don't think I did this to get away from you. I've never realized how much I love you all until now. I feel badly and I've already done my crying. But, it's something I'd do again. I'll see you all soon. Thank you especially for the last few days. You've been great. I'll write as soon as I can. Please pray for me and I hope I made the right decision. I love you both more than anything in the world. -David On April 25, 1970, after the most intense training I could have possibly imagined, I marched on this same "grinder" with hundreds of other young men and women who had become United States Marines. My mom cried when she later saw me in my uniform. My grandfather looked me over and just beamed. My dad shook my hand, hesitated, then hugged me and, crying for the second time in my life, told me how proud he was. But this day belongs to Private Kyle Bond, USMC, and those who share this proud day with him. This day will become more significant, not less, with the passing of time. He will look back on this day as the day when he became a man. He will, in future times of difficulty, remind himself that if he could survive Parris Island, he can do anything and he will "improvise, adapt, and overcome." In a few minutes the new Marines will march in review. It will be an impressive sight and will continue the long, proud tradition. The band will play the Marine Corps Hymn and my own heart will swell with pride, a lump will form in my throat, and, in all likelihood, I will cry. I know how hard these young people have worked. I know the price they have paid. They and I, for an eternity, will be one "Once a Marine, always a Marine." I am proud of you Kyle. Welcome to the Corps, Marine.Semper Fi. [David Epps is rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church, which meets at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sundays on Ga. Highway 34 between Peachtree City and Newnan. He may be contacted at FatherDavidEpps@aol.com or at www.CTKCEC.org.]
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