Sgt Grit Marine Forums

On May 15, 1941, PoppaGene arrived on Parris Ilsand vowing to complete boot camp and to earnthe Anchor & Globe adn become one of the finest, a UNITED STATES MARINE, once earn that titlecan never be taken away from you "Once a Marine, Always a Marine"  67 years later, at the age of 87.old & decrepit, I am still a proud Marine and will be until the day  I day, and perhaps beyond. My memories of my boot camp days have faded and teo tell the story of my misery and good times,would probably be half truths and seastories, so I will forgo that and say with pride that In July 1941earned the title and became a US MARINE.my local news paper is running two or three times a week  "The Gallant Years" and have requestedWWII veterans to relate to the younger generation their wartime experiences. Many have replied andtheir memories of that period are outstanding. When I was asked to participate, I told them I could notremember where I left my keys and glasses this morning and those days have faded with age. I servedlike the majority, with no distinction, my only vivid memory is a day, March 26, 1945, when I was one of God's chosen to walk off a black sandy beach on his two feet. Amen!! Semper Fi Poppa Gene

Ooo-Rah Poppa Gene!!! 

God willing if & when I get to be your age I hope that I am half the man you are today!!!

"... when I was one of God's chosen to walk off a black sandy beach on his two feet."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Poppa, THAT is the most important part.  I, along with MANY, am honored to be considered your Buddy.

Semper Fi !

PoppaGene, congratulations on reaching such a huge milestone.  You are an inspiration to all of us.

Poppa Gene, thank you for your service and thank you for your inspiration and friendship.

Congratulations, Gene!  It is an honor to "know" you through Don's bulletin board.

Semper Fidelis. 

Poppa Gene, I have had many good moments and met many good people since I first joined this forum in 2004.

But I can sincerely say that my greatest honor and pleasure has been to meet you, get to know you and have the honor of you calling me friend.

Congrats on your anniversary of arriving at Yemassee and then on to Parris Island.

Take care and God bless.

  Semper Fidelis,
    Chris

Poppa Gene, You and Edith are two of my most favorite people.  Thank you for all you have done, and hope to see you at Barbs this year.

Poppa Gene, happy sixty-seventh birthday as a Marine! I consider it an honor and privilege to know you and Edith and to have had those short times together. The thread that connects us is a strong one, the United States Marine Corps.

Hope to see you this summer.

Semper Fidelis,

Roy

Pappa Gene,I too consider it an honor and privilege to know you and Ms.Edith and to have been able to have you visit my home and spend time with you two in D. C . One of the high points in my life in the past  years is the honor you showed to my Marine, Stan, June 2005. If you didn't already have a special place in my heart,( and you did ) you would have after that week end. I have always been impressed with your manners, thoughtfulness, consideration of others and do know it has been a honor to know you.

I too am thankful you are one of GOD's chosen to walk off the black sandy beach .

Am still hopeing to see you both here in June if Kim and I don't see you in your home before then.

hugs,

Barbara

Gene, I've told you before that you and your commrades of the WWII Corps are responsible for my interest in the Corps.  Those helmet covers caught my eye while watching "Victory at Sea" and my desire to be a Marine was created then in the early 1950's.  Thank you for your service and I thank God you were able to leave that crucible of the Corps and be our Poppa.

Hand Salute!!  Semper Fidleis, brother.

 Congratulations on the anniversary Poppa Gene!

I can say that while following in the footsteps of you & your generation, carrying the same title is something I am even prouder of. 

Gene

I was humbled to be in your presence that week-end in DC.  The Young Marines were in awe of you as was an active duty LtCol, who gave you back your flag that had been flown over 8th & I that very morning.  I was again humbled to receive some of your precious black sand, which I have broken down to smaller packets and given to some young hard chargers fresh from boot camp.  I also gave them your letter attesting to the validity of the sand and explained that whenever they felt down and did not feel they could move another inch, to think of that sand and the history of it.  They are in awe of you. You Sir, are the epitome of what it means to be a Marine.  Semper Fidelis Poppa Gene.

 Strait from Tun Tavern over to PI with a short stop to pick up your musket?

Seriously, Papa, I am honored to share the title of Marine with you, and every one of those guys on Iwo Jima while you were there.

God bless you, and may your remaining years be healthy, happy, and filled with peace. 

Congratulations Poppa Gene. You are certainly an inspiration to everyone. 

Larry Zok:

Gene

I was humbled to be in your presence that week-end in DC.  The Young Marines were in awe of you as was an active duty LtCol, who gave you back your flag that had been flown over 8th & I that very morning.  I was again humbled to receive some of your precious black sand, which I have broken down to smaller packets and given to some young hard chargers fresh from boot camp.  I also gave them your letter attesting to the validity of the sand and explained that whenever they felt down and did not feel they could move another inch, to think of that sand and the history of it.  They are in awe of you. You Sir, are the epitome of what it means to be a Marine.  Semper Fidelis Poppa Gene.

Brother Larry said a mouth full and then some.  He done good by you Poppa Gene.

Ooo-Rah Poppa Gene!!!

Ooo-Rah Popa Smoke!!!

We have stood on the shoulders of you and your M-1 carrying comrades (*)...  hope we did justice to the incredible heritage you gave to us, my respected friend.

(*)  I have a picture of the charging Paul Ison on my wall, and it reminds me of you.

Semper Fidelis, sir,

Alex

BTW, I just did the math on the heading of this thread...  I was a four-celled zygote when you hit Parris Island !!

God Bless You Poppa Gene......

I servedlike the majority, with no distinction, my only vivid memory is a day, March 26, 1945, when I was one of God's chosen to walk off a black sandy beach on his two feet.

Sir,

No distinction, my azz! When young men like me, who followed your lead onto the yellow footprints some 29 years later were taught of your actions, we knew that we had some extremely large shoes to fill. Because of Marines exactly like you, we are a free country and we still have a United States Marine Corps. Happy Anniversary, Sir, and many happy returns!

Happy Anniversary, Poppa Gene!  May you have many more! 

Semper Fi

Gene, you are so the man. Tha's why we all love you.

Happy annaversarry Papa Gene.  I want to pass on that I was lucky to have met you at Mama Barb's.  I pray I would have the pleasure to meet with you again in the near future.  Semper Fi devil dog.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY POPPA GENE!!!! WHERE'S THE PARTY? KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM! SEMPER FI.