Rebuilt, Reborn, and Remembering

The year was 1775, the place was a little Tavern in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Tun Tavern is land marked as the birth place of the United States Marine Corps. On November 10th, 1775, even before the birth of the United States, a committee of the continental congress met to establish two battalions of Marines to fight on sea and shore.

Samuel Nicholas became the first Commandant of the Marine Corps, while the taverns owner Robert Mullen became his first Captain, and some say the very first Marine Corps Recruiter.

The United States Marine Corps, older than the United States itself, is deep rooted with tradition, honor and sacrifice. Marines to this very day, even Marines no longer active, consider each Marine their brother. No matter where they are the Marine Corps Birthday is celebrated and observed.

I was driving to work this morning thinking about the people who made me the Marine I became, even before arriving at MCRD Parris Island.

First off was my father. He always taught me wrong from right as well as honor and discipline. These lessons would serve me well in the years to come, and the hardships I was about to face.

I met a man named Anthony Muscarella. Anthony lived in my neighborhood and wrote a book called "Iwo Jima, the young heros". Mr. Muscarella fought in World War 2 and was at the battle of Iwo Jima. I remember him and his smile to this day. He was a man with a story to tell, like most veterans do, but his was a different story.
He joined the Marine Corps at a very young age. He lied to the recruiters during WW2. He was ready to go fight. Private Anthony Muscarella was 14 years old when he joined the Corps. By the age of 18 he was a battle hardened, decorated Sergeant that had fought on Iwo Jima. He became my mentor before Parris Island. During my transformation on Parris Island, his letter stopped coming. After graduation I found out he had passed away at 72 years old while I was on Parris Island. Mr Muscarella now guards Heaven's streets.

MSgt Doug Berry was my Senior Drill Instructor. At the time I was in his platoon on Parris Island, he and his Drill Instructors were all Sergeants. The rest of the 1st Battalion Drill Instructor Staff said there was no way only Sergeants would do well with a recruit training cycle.
They were dead wrong. Doug Berry had a lot to live up to. His father at the time was Command Sergeant Major at Camp Lejuene, the Berry name was well known.
1st Battalion Charlie Company, Platoon 1048 took every Company Trophy for the recruit training cycle. We were the gold standard for our company.

MSgt Maximo Fresquez:
Sometime even typing the name instills a deep seeded feeling of respect and loyalty. Mad Max as he was known became my most memorable Platoon Leader. At the time I met him, he was a SSgt, fresh off the Drill Field and from Office Candidate School in Quantico Va. Not only did he make Marines, but Marine Officers as well. His boots had to be glass, there was no other way on this earth that a mere mortal could produce such a shine. Mad Max was a true leader and inspiration. After my West Coast tour, I ended up at Camp Lejuene. Mad Max ended up in Lejuene as well in a different unit. I once visited him and his platoon in the field. He absolutely hated his Platoon Sergeant. He called him over and pointed at me. "You see Sergeant Fowler? Look him Mitchell! I would trade 20 of you for only 1 of him!"

Sgt Matt Hicks and Sgt Justin Jones:
Marines consider each other brothers, but these two are much more. We still talk to each other and still go to each other for any problems we might ever have. We have chewed the same dirt, and stomped the same ground for many years. I honestly believe we would not be here had it not been for each other.

Master Sergeant Donald Hatch:
A historian and strong leader, he was against us leaving after the initial invasion of Iraq. As Bush declared "Major Combat in Iraq is now over!" I remember look at Hatch and hearing these words: "Sheeeeyat dumbass. It's just getting started." He even told the Battalion CO and Division CG, Gentleman, it's a mistake for us to pack up and leave now, we're going to just turn around and come right back. He couldn't have been more right.

My Platoon:
As a platoon Sergeant you have to be humbled in realizing, your own platoon that you were put in charge of, makes you a better leader. They challenge you ever day and night. The advice I always gave my Marines is this: "Don't not strive to be like me, be better than me." 7 of my Marines went on to become Drill Instructors, 3 in San Diego and 4 at Parris Island.

So this year, I salute all Marines both Mean and Women, as I do every year. Make your Marines to the best of your ability. It doesn't stop in boot camp, and it doesn't stop on the battlefield either.