Memo:

TO: Commandant
Marine Corps league,
Massachusetts Detachment #1094
83 Pinedale Street
Southbridge MA 01550

FROM: Vincent Sottile
Detachment Member Detachment #1094
Grasse, France

SUBJECT: Burial Site Visitation Report

1. Be advised that today !0 November 2014, The 239th Birthday of The United States Marine Corps, at the direction and authorization of the Commandant of Massachusetts Detachment#1094 Marine Corps League, I took the privilege of, again, visiting the burial site our comrade in arms and fallen hero SGT. Charles R. Perry USMC who paid the ultimate sacrifice in 1944. SGT. Perry is the only Marine interred at The American Military cemetery at Draguinan, France and one of the three who are interred in Europe from WW2.

2. It may have been a rainy and stormy day today, but having the privilege, again, to visit Charles Perry's burial site and meditating upon the significance of his and other Marine's sacrifice during the last 239 years was inspiring. Meditating there helps to make sure that we will never forget. The visit left me with a warm feeling of brotherhood and pride. Also with a sense that it is our duty as Marines who survived, to NEVER forget our brothers in arms. I suppose you could imagine that "if the Army and the Navy" Looked on heavens scenes (today) they would see that the streets are (indeed) guarded by United States Marines" and that SGT. Charles Perry is pulling guard today. We all remember our training where we were taught not to leave anyone behind. That training also keeps us from forgetting and leaving behind the memory of our fallen brothers in arms . So! Remember! "Semper Fidelis means Always.

3. From the Marines in the rigging of sailing war ships during the Revolutionary war and Tripoli, to the Marines in "The Halls of Montezuma," to the Marines of the blockades and the first Marine Medal of Honor at the Battle of Drewry's Bluff during the civil war, to the Marines who served in the Philippines during the Spanish American War, to the Marines lost at to Chateau-Thierry, Soissons and Saint Mihiel in WW1, to the Marines sacrificed at Guadalcanal and IWO JIMA during WW2, To Korea and the Marines at Chosin Reservoir, To the Marines that secured Beruit Lebanon in 1958, to the Marines achieving the impossible in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, WE MUST NEVER FORGET. We celebrate a birthday today with honor and pride earned through the sacrifice of Charles Perry and those Marines like him.

4. I conducted a ceremony at SGT. Perry's burial site by first playing the National Anthem, The Marine Corps Hymm (from my computer tablet) Hymnand mediating a moment of silence and ending with a hand salute and a happy birthday. It took only 20 minutes, but was the best 20 minutes that I have spent in a while. I recommend a visit to a American Military cemetery for its fulfilling and inspiring poetic moments.

5. To The Perry family..... Thank you for the privilege of honoring your family member and his service. and as long as we can we will be visiting SGT. Perry three times a year. Below, you will find pictures of Charles burial site and the "Pot of Roses left there in his memory.

Proudly submitted;
(Former)8th and I Marine Corporal Vincent Sottile USMC
Marine Corps League, Massachusetts Detachment #1094










JOE LARKIN'S VISTS TO THE GRAVE OF L/CPL PETER MARY "PETIE" NEE, USMC, K.I.A., VIETNAM, 31 MARCH 1969 AND BURIED IN IRELAND

8-3-16 ...
Four years ago, when Lil and I were visiting a friend in Galway, he showed me an old newspaper clipping of the burial of a U S Marine in Connamera, a very desolate part of the N W of the Republic of Ireland. We had to find him. With the help of an Irish couple we located the cemetery on a hilltop over looking the dark Atlantic Ocean, after making our way thru several pastures of "guard dog" sheep we finally found the grave. Some of the inscriptions on the fallen over tomb stones were readable and went back to the 13th century. We finally found the grave and his Marines from his platoon had been there several years earlier and thru Marine donations they had a beautiful proper tomb stone erected with all of his pertinent data ( see attachment). His Dad and Mother are now buried along side him.

This was before I had my personal challenge coins. I left a museum coin. an American and USMC flag and on subsequent visits we left similar items. Each year we always found the previous items gone. What we didn't know was that his family, on visiting him, removed them to a place of honor in their home, not knowing who left them!! Last year I left my challenge coin and they found out who was visiting L/Cpl.Peter Nee. They sent my name and rank to one of the men from his platoon, a lawyer, and he found me here in San Diego. I have since been in touch with the men in his squad that were with him when a mine took his life. He had been wounded prior to that and was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism. He had only been back with his squad a short time, when he died. On my recent visit to Ireland I was unable to visit the family. I have talked with and e mailed them and exchanged pictures and will visit on my next trip.

I receive an e mail from the Guinness brewery in Dublin. each year, advising me that the level of Guinness is rising there and to get my but over to alleviate the drastic situation. I make this a yearly trek. My visit to the family will be included in my next trip. Several Marines from this area are helping me to locate an Irish Marine that was KIA and received the Navy Cross. He is buried somewhere near Cork in the south of Ireland. I will find and honor him as best that I can!

Semper Fidelis, 8th & I Marine Joe "Mustang" Larkin, H & S Co. and Ceremonial Guard Co., 1955-59 / USMC 1948-71, Korea & Vietnam veteran, San Diego, CA




11-14-16 ... DENNY HARRIS' MEMORIES OF 8TH & I IN THE LATE-1950'S

Like Sir Arthur Helps said in 1868....."nothing succeeds like success". The present system has been in place for the last 57 years and it works extremely well!. But I think back to the 50"s when the four Platoon system was in place and each Platoon did everything. A typical week with a Platoon in the summer of 1957 might include several burial details, A performance at the Iwo-Jima monument on Tuesday afternoon, perhaps a drill team performance at the Friday evening Parade (which we started in 1957), a two day trip to Cherry Point for a change of command ceremony. a half time performance at the Navy - Notre Dame football game on Saturday, an arrival ceremony at Andrews for the King of the Universe and his family, and at the end of the week a four week "cruise" aboard the U. S, Ranger for a good will mission to South America (2nd Platoon in 1958) or a 10 day trip to Edinburgh, Scotland for a Military Tattoo in the summer of 1957 (4th Platoon), Perhaps a television performance in 1956 (2nd Platoon) and at the end of all this a two week stint at Camp David (each Platoon spent two weeks of every eight at Camp David) for some field training, Drill Team practice and great liberty in the swinging town of Thurmont, Maryland.......

Today the Body bearers carry caskets and fold flags all day every day, the Drill Team practices their routine all day every day..... As a result these performances have almost become robotic in appearance. When is the last time a cap was knocked off during a Friday night performance and then smashed back on by the Platoon Sergeant (always with a chuckle from the stands), or a a Drill Team member hit in the back of the neck with a bayonet mounted on an 03 rifle by the marcher behind him (Bob Moroni in Scotland - 1957) and he was standing tall the next day after a few stitches. The Edinburgh paper the next day said "now we know why they call them leathernecks".

In this day of specialization, all works well at 8th and I, but for the pure pleasure of being a member of the most elite ceremonial unit in the world, being a member of one of the four Platoons in the late 50's was an experience beyond compare. We experienced everything that 8th and I offers (Body bearer, the flag folding ritual, performed as a Drill Team member both at the Iwo monument and the Friday evening parade, oversea travels, Division re-unions, arrivals and departures at Andrews, and actually guarding the President at Camp David......absolute everything. What a wonderful experience!

Submitted by Denny Harris, 8th & I, Ceremonial Guard Company, 1957-1958 / Col., U.S. Army Reserves (retired in 1997), Lexington, KY




11-25-16 .... Ralph Reimers' 8th & I Memories Of The Late-1950's A follow up to Denny Harris' reflections of the Drill Teams of 1956,57 and 58 I have a "General' story to tell. On Christmas eve 1956, I pulled Main Gate guard duty. It was a cold night and I sheltered out of the wind in the small enclosure of the guard post. Around 2200, I caught a glimpse of a solitary figure coming from center walk in civvies in a heavy overcoat. It was Deputy Commandant for Aviation (DCA) Christian Schutt. I stepped outside, stood at attention and when the General approached me, I snapped him a loud heels clicking* salute. He said "cold night to stand duty Marine" to which I responded, "yes sir!"

I watched him for a half minute as he turned to the right out the gate and proceeded up 8th street. Not more than 10 minutes later, he came thru the Gate, received the same salute and stopped in front of me. He had a cup in his left hand, extended it to me and said "Merry Christmas, Marine" and after you finish that, destroy the evidence". "Aye, aye Sir"

He had handed me Coca Cola laced with Rum which I drank very slowly relishing every sip. I will never forget the gesture, the humanity of it... *- To those who never wore dress shoes clad with metal taps and heels, you never experienced the resounding "bang" when the heels were sharply brought together.

Submitted by Ralph E. Reimers, 8th & I, SDT 1956-57 / Marine Barracks 1956-59, Marietta, GA



Photo: My 50th Wedding Anniversary on 12 November 2016\




Great story, Ralph Reimers! When I reported into 8th and eye on a rainy cold day in late January or early February of 1957 and walked through that main gate and handed the orders for the group to a PFC on duty at the main gate I was shocked....a Marine about six feet tall with no more than a 28 inch waist, double soled spit shined shoes, cleats everywhere, a duck-billed gord/lid (hat to you new guys) with a spit shined bill that you could see yourself in and this was before the patent leather crap! At this time a car was leaving (at that time the officers parked inside the compound) and it sounded like rifle shots coming from the Marines feet. Those double soled shoes with beveled heels and the horseshoe cleats could flat out do it!

The next morning I met my Squad Leader (my Squad Leader was none other than Ralph Reimers the author of this missive) and he looked just like the Marine on the Main Gate! For 2 - 3 weeks we were restricted and did nothing but shine shoes and cap bills (at this time we used Mennen after shave instead of "spit" on our shoes and I must have used two bottles in those two weeks), we removed QM from our brass buttons, tailor our uniforms, get our low quarters (shoes) squared away, heels beveled, spend hours getting our lid bills shaped just right. After many, many days of this, I passed my Squad Leaders Inspection (Ralph), put on civvies and headed out the main gate, stumbled onto a little bar called Guys, went in and got my first D.C. buzz on!

At our ages (79 years), what would life be like without all our memories!

Submitted by Denny Harris, 8th & I, Ceremonial Guard Company, 1957-1958 / Col., U.S. Army Reserves (retired in 1997), Lexington, KY




11-24-16 ... KEN LIBBY'S MEMORIES OF 8TH & I IN THE LATE 1950'S

Denny Harris. Thanks for the Memories. I was at 8th & Eye from Jan 58 to late Nov 60. I agree, doing it all kept you sharp, made the trip more enjoyable and who can forget the Ferris Wheel in Lima, Peru?

Six of us met six girls in the hotel restaurant and they invited us to a local fair about 5 blocks from the hotel. We all went and got on the Ferris Wheel with the girls. The locals didn't like that and started throwing stones. The ride operator got a taxi lined up, a 48 Ford 4 door and as a seat would get to the bottom we would jump off and run to the taxi. All 12 of us got into this car, he took us to the hotel and we gave him some money to take the girls home. Decided to stay in the hotel the rest of the night.

I got to fly that bird also and when the pilot told me to take it down 3000 feet I pushed too hard on the stick, he straighten things out quickly and provide proper instructions.

Submitted by Ken Libby, 8th & I, Ceremonial Guard Company, 1958-1960, Stowe, VT




11-25-16 ... DAVE MELCHIOR'S MEMORIES OF 8TH & I IN THE LATE-1950'S

Hi John Reim, Denny Harris, and Ken Libby,

I don't remember a ferris wheel in Lima, but I do remember being restricted to a one block area from the hotel they put us up in. We had traveled by bus from Valparaiso via Santiago and then flown there in a goony bird (DC-3). We were told to lay low because it was a national holiday and Peru was 40% communist. Nugent and I ended up in a bar maybe a block and a half way. We really had no idea where we were but the place was crowded with men, and dressed in greens, the patronage kept setting us up with what looked like tiny glasses of wine. Eventually we figured that they thought we were Russians and began scheming on how to get out of there. As I remember Nugent hit one big fat guy who was the most obnoxious and we bolted. We had no idea where we were and half gassed didn't know which way to run. Of course we knew that we were close to being in a real world of trouble. All of a sudden a teenage kid appeared and asked if we needed to get to the particular hotel where the unit was staying? After a quick affirmative he led us into an alley and after a couple of turns there were the lights of the hotel. Whew! Ferris Wheel? Who got to fly the goony bird was another story. It was a two and a half day jaunt beginning in Santiago (bused from Valparaiso) with a leg to Lima and another to Panama and then on to Jacksonville for customs and same day to DC. One of the pilots came back and asked if anyone knew how to fly? The autopilot was ferhunced and they didn't feel like flying manually as these were all day affairs. Gunny Faylor volunteered as he had some experience. We drew lots to see who the second guy would be and Joe Westner won. We knew when Joe took the helm because the bird made a fighter plane maneuver. He later related how the pilot had prepped him and told him to utilize the silhouette on the dash and then gave him a command to do three degrees or some such thing. 'This ain't a Buick, son,' or somesuch, and Joe learned quickly that a minor effort was all that was necessary. Semper Fi

Submitted by Dave Melchior, 8th & I, Ceremonial Guard Company, 2nd Platoon/Drill Team and Body Bearers Section, 1958-1960, San Diego, CA




11-25-16 .... JOE WESTNER'S 8TH & I MEMORIES OF THE LATE-1950'S

I remember very well the trip to Lima, Peru. We were warned by, I believe Gunny Ben Smith, that things could get dicey since Peru was very pro-communist. However, several of us went out and were told about a bar called “The Blackout” which was owned by a retired Marine. We went there and once you got in the place the only lights were small lamps on the bar. You could see a bunch of curtained booths with various male/female sounds and we got the feeling that this place could be trouble so we left there and worked our way to the bar Dave Melchior mentioned. It was called “El Gato Negro” ( the BlackCat). What started the problem, as I remember it, was the women in the bar who were sitting with us were ordering drinks which we saw the bartender pouring our drinks from the bar bottle and theirs from a different bottle. They were charging us full price as liquor. I remember Nugent getting into an argument and he cold-cocked the guy. We got out of the bar and as Dave Melchior said, after a few turns wound up in front of our hotel. When we went in and I remember seeing Gunny Ben Smith doing an inspection on some of the hotel staff.

On our way up from Santiago, Chile, I remember being picked to go to the cockpit and taking control of the plane. Needless to say, it took a little time to get used to the controls. Most likely scared the hell out of the Marines on board. We were flying below 10,000 feet since the plane was unpressurized. The scary part was that if you looked out the right window the Andes mountains were still 5,000 feet higher than we were. Finally, I thought the pilot looked a lot like Arthur Godfrey.

This was on great trip and if I can figure out how to do it, I will send a picture of the Drill Team that went on the trip.



John: Here is the picture of the 2nd Plt./Drill Team, Ceremonial Guard Company, taken in 1958. This was the Platoon that took the trip aboard the CVA-61 Ranger in the summer of 58. The ship left Norfolk, VA with subsequent ports of call to Trinidad and Tobago, Rio, & Valparaiso, Chile. We left the ship there and went overland by a frightening bus ride to Santiago, Chile., and from there by air to Lima, Peru, Panama and back to Washington, DC. A truly memorable trip.... Take care and Semper Fi.

Submitted by Joe Westner, 8th & I, Ceremonial Guard Company, 2nd Plt./Drill Team and Body Bearers, 1958-1960, Derwood, MD






Honor Flights to Washington, DC This picture is of Ralph Sherman Sr (1955-57) who recently took an Honor Flight from Chicago to DC. While there, he enjoyed a performance by the Silent Drill Platoon at the Lincoln Memorial. Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices. They transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans - World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill. To find out more about Honor Flights, visit there website: www.honorflight.org

Submitted by Ralph Sherman, Sr., Barracks Detachment / Ceremonial Guard Company, 1955 - 1957 (served 10 years in the Corps), Korean War Veteran, Joliet, IL

4-26-19 ... MAJOR GLENN S. "MUSTANG" TAIT, 8TH & I, CEREMONIAL GUARD COMPANY, COLOR SERGEANT OF THE USMC, 1956-1960, RETIRED FROM THE CORPS IN 1975 AND DIED ON 26 JULY 2012; HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY









Submitted by John T. Reim, Ceremonial Guard Company, Silent Drill Platoon, 1958-1961, Franklinville, NJ

6-22-19 ... RON "MUSTANG" BURTON'S SKETCHES OF MILITARY LIFE TO BE PRESERVED BY THE CAMP PENDLETON MUSEUM

Click here to see SKETCHES OF MILITARY LIFE

Submitted by 8th & I Marine Ron "Mustang" Burton, Barracks Detachment / Ceremonial Guard Company, 1955-1959 / USMC 1952-1974, Vietnam veteran, Oceanside, CA





6-23-19 ... DENNY "MUSTANG" HARRIS' LATE-1950'S MEMORIES OF SERGEANT RON "MUSTANG" BURTON, CEREMONIAL GUARD COMPANY

Interesting article about Ron Burton and his sketches In March 1957, I was promoted to Corporal and after the hand shakes and pats on the back,
I reported back to the Company office where I was serving as the Guard Company Clerk. On my desk was the following water color drawing by then
Sergeant Ron Burton......ame following the promotion ceremony....unbelievable! I received my Ph.D in Medical Microbiology from Indiana University
and taught in the College of Medicine at the University of Kentucky for 31 years. During this time I had literally hundreds of extremely bright students.
In many ways I think Ron could compare favorably with some of my brightest students. Ron is a terrific artist and also a gifted writer and could converse
with anyone about anything. Ron is truly a unusually gifted individual.



Submitted by 8th & I Marine Denny "Mustang" Harris, Ceremonial Guard Company, 1956-1958 / Col., U.S. Army Reserves (retired in 1997 / 30 years service), Lexington, KY





6-23-19 ... 2019 ... 8TH & I MARINE GAROLYN E. "GENE" CAGLE (CENTER OF PICTURE) AT MARINE CORPS LEAGUE DETACHMENT #592, BIRMINGHAM, AL



Submitted by 8th & I Marine Garolyn E. "Gene" Cagle, age 88, Barracks Detachment, 1954-1955, Vestavia, AL




David Melchior's Memories of Sergeant Gary Bennet ,
Barracks Detachment/Ceremonial Guard Company, 2nd Platoon/Silent Drill Platoon,
1956-1960, Korean War Veteran; Died 4-9-22, Age 87 (Would have been 88 ON April 16)

4-11-22, Hi John, I wondered if I had gone to sleep and woke up on Parris Island on my first morning, and reveille, at the Barracks. Whew! It was just SGT Bennett breezing through at the appointed hour with his one of a kind voice and pronunciations (omitting consonants). We soon fell in at the officers parking area for impromptu stretching exercises. Striding through the squad bay in always starched and pressed utilities with pockets sewn shut - all six foot five of him - made for a commanding presence.

Many of our contemporaries have memories of him. My favorite was one year, while we were in Quantico for rifle qualification, and he had the company formation. We were standing at rest, smoking and batting the breeze, when a company officer came walking across the street. He hollered, 'Bennett!' SGT Bennett didn't budge and simply stood like a ramrod per usual. 'Hey, Bennett!!,' shouted the officer louder. SGT Bennett, as if sniffing the air, half turned nonchalantly toward the Lieutenant and offered, 'Name's not Bennett, name's SGT Bennett. Got a title.' I know myself, and probably most of us, were like All RIGHT! to ourselves.

SGT Bob Spillman of the Color Guard was a humble man whom I got to know as we all shared (Color Guard and Body Bearers) an old office (with AC ) at the Gun Factory. Bob Spillman roomed with Gary somewhere fairly nearby. He said he seldom saw him because of Gary's nighttime habits. He did say that it was getting harder and harder to wake him to come in and that Gary's skin was getting yellower and yellower. Finally, he got him to sick call where he was diagnosed with Yellow Jaundice. His partying had gotten the best of him and Bob got him to get treatment with no time to spare.

At least for me I remember his wheels. In 1958 it was an always shiny black '58 Chevy convertible with a continental kit (I think). Then sometime later he moved up to the bright red Caddy convertible that he cruised SouthEast in. Joe Schoen, who was a suberb athlete, and good friend (baseball, basketball, boxing), told me of when his platoon was at Camp David one time. Gary was the Right Guide. 1LT Wills, and if my memory is correct, was a 150 lb footballer at the Boat School, was lecturing the platoon on the value of sports. He went on about it as if it were religion, Joe said that when he was done, SGT Bennett took the floor and chimed in, saying something like.. 'My idea of sport is to get in my Caddy; put the top down; head down the hill to Thurmont; pick up a bottle of whiskey and drive around, seeing if some young lovely is interested in spending some time together.' End of discussion, as Wills shook his head..

He and Captain Hatch standing together at the head of the Guard Company formation on the Parade Ground is etched in many of our memories. Like Gen Chapman will always be Col Chapman and Col Hatch will always be Capt Hatch and Lt Faylor will always be Gunny, Gary Bennett will always be SGT Bennett to me. Got a title.

I'll never forget, 'Gi' yer hans ou' yer pocke's!' to some unsuspecting snuffy sauntering along the arcade without a care.

God Bless him. Truly one of a kind

Submitted by 8th & I Marine David Melchior, Ceremonial Guard Company, 2nd Platoon / Silent Drill Platoon & Body Bearers Section, 1958-1960, San Diego, CA

9-5-22 ... 8TH & I MARINE JOHN H. UELSES, D.O.B. 7-14-37, CEREMONIAL GUARD COMPANY, 1ST PLATOON / SILENT DRILL PLATOON, CA. 1958; FIRST MAN IN THE WORLD TO POLE VAULT OVER 16 FEET

John was born in Berlin, Germany. At age 12, he was sent to Miami, Florida, to live with relatives; he had little formal education (hindered by WWll) and did not speak English. John was an all-around athlete and honor student at Miami Senior High School. Upon graduation, he received a scholarship to the University of Alabama where he set records in pole vaulting, javelin, and hurdles. While at Alabama, he heard about the U.S. Marine Track and Field Program and he enlisted in the Corps to become a member of that program. John was stationed at the Marine Barracks, Washington, DC, ca.1958; he was assigned to the Ceremonial Guard Company, 1st Platoon / Silent Drill Platoon (at that time, each platoon in the C.G.C. was a Silent Drill Platoon). Early 1959, he was transferred from 8th & I to Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA, to pursue his pole vaulting career. At the time of his record-breaking vaults in 1962, John was a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his enlistment with the Marines, he received a scholarship to La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA, where he continued to excel in pole vaulting: won the NCAA pole vault championship in 1964 (16' 4 1/2") and was a NCAA All-American. Upon graduating from La Salle University, John served as a U.S. Naval Officer and aviator. He served as a member of the F-4 Phantom Fighter squadrons and instructor at training commands. In addition, John was selected for the first F-14 Tomcat Fighter Squadron VF-1 stationed in California. To learn more about John H. Uelses' REMARKABLE life experiences CLICK HERE

Submitted by John T. Reim, Ceremonial Guard Company, Silent Drill Platoon, 1958-1961, Franklinville, NJ

DAVID MELCHIOR'S MEMORIES OF 8TH & I MARINE JOHN H. UELSES, CEREMONIAL GUARD COMPANY, 1ST PLATOON / SILENT DRILL PLATOON, CA. 1958;
FIRST MAN IN THE WORLD TO POLE VAULT OVER 16 FEET

9-5-22 ... Hi John, I remember John well and how we called him Ulysses. I remember playing basketball with him and him sitting at the piano in the slop chute and playing high brow stuff. I wondered if there was anything he couldn't do. We all were real happy for him when he broke the pole vault record and not surprised that he went on to flight school and flew jets.

Submitted by David Melchior, Ceremonial Guard Company, 2nd Platoon / Silent Drill Platoon & Body Bearers Section, 1958-1960, San Diego, CA

8th & I Marine Dorothy Patson, MCI Company, 1958-1959, attended the Lakeland, NJ,
Marine Corps League Detachment's 2010 and 2012 USMC Birthday Balls.
To view her pictures, click here.

11-18-17 ... Joe "Mustang" Larkin celebrates the USMC'S 242nd Birthday and his 87th Birthday in Paris, France

To view his photos, Click here

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MAY 27-29, 2023, CAPTAIN JOSEPH V. “MUSTANG” LARKIN, AGE 92, 8TH & I, 1955-1959,, PARTICIPATED IN A VETERANS' HONOR FLIGHT; SAN DIEGO, CA TO WASHINGTON, DC. DURING A STOP AT THE USMC WAR MEMORIAL (IWO JIMA MEMORIAL, HE (JOE IS IN THE WHEELCHAIR) “PINNED” A MARINE FRIEND WHO WAS RECENTLY PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL.



Submitted by 8th & I Marine Captain Joe “Mustang” Larkin, MCI, H&S, and CGC, 1955-1959 / USMC, 1948-1971, Korea and Vietnam veteran, San Diego, CA


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6-15-23 ... 8TH & I "OLD-TIMERS," JOE LARKIN AND DAVE MELCHIOR, GET TOGETHER IN SAN DIEGO, CA



On left: Dave Melchior, Ceremonial Guard Company, 2nd Platoon / Drill Team & Body Bearers Section, 1958-1960, San Diego, CA

On right: Captain Joe "Mustang" Larkin, Age 92, MCI / H&S / CGC, 1955-1959 / USMC, 1948-1971, Korea & Vietnam veteran, San Diego, CA

Submitted by 8th & I Marine Dave Melchior, 1958-1960

GEORGE COLLIER'S MEMORIES OF 8TH & I MARINE JOHN H. UELSES,
CEREMONIAL GUARD COMPANY, 1ST PLATOON / SILENT DRILL PLATOON,
CA. 1958; FIRST MAN IN THE WORLD TO POLE VAULT OVER 16 FEET

9-9-22 ... John: Saw this article and Bio of John Uelses. I remember him well and his obsession to represent the Marine Corps at pole-vaulting. He was such a nice person treating everyone very good. I remember going up to Camp David once when the barracks there was under construction and we stayed in the bunker. In our room was John, two others and myself. John entertained us with his ability to do pushups standing next to the wall on his hands. He if I remember right completed 5 pushups. I tried and could do none. Boy was that hard. I lost contact with him when he just disappeared. I am so glad to see he accomplished his dream and goals. This makes me much richer for knowing him. Unbelievable accomplishments and a very successful life. Boy were we lucky. George

Submitted by George Collier, Ceremonial Guard Company, 1st Platoon / Silent Drill Platoon, 1958-1961, Macclenny, GA

11-21-24 ... Memories Of 8th & I Marines Dennis A. Boles, H & S Company, 1956-58 (Died 11-12-24),
Robert C. Wayne, Barracks Detachment, 1956-57, And Stanley N. Stake, Barracks Detachment, 1954-56 (Died 3-1-05)

· Dear John Reim,
I regret to inform you of the death of Dennis Alan Boles, who was stationed at 8th and I Marine Barracks during this era and was a driver/Corporal. He died from pancreatic cancer on Nov. 12, 2024 and I am his wife. The family would like to know if there are any photographs of Dennis from that time in the service that they might have a copy of. His time in the service was short, but it was a time that he was very fond of and we did come down to 8th and I for the night silent march and the Marine Band presentations several time in our married life and brought our children to some of the Marine Band performances down by the Potomac River when they were young. He will be buried in Londonderry, NH near his home town at Pillsbury Cemetery on Hovey Rd. on Nov. 25th, 2024 and we have asked for Military Honors, because that is what he wanted. Dennis was a life member of the Marine Corps League, Free State Detachment for many years and enjoyed their comradery. I just got a notice of the termination of that group, so I am reaching out to you for assistance in possibly finding some of those photos. Thank you for any assistance you can find the time to give.

Sincerely,
Margaret Ann Boles
Wife of Dennis Boles for 65 years

To: rwayne1@rochester.rr.com (8th & I Marine Robert C. & Beverly Wayne, Barracks Detachment, 1956-1957, Cayuga, NY)
Cc: ebs1106@aol.com

Subject: Fwd: "My long overdue response to your email" ........... 8th & I Marine Robert C. Wayne, Barracks Detachment, 1956-1957, Cayuga, NY

Hello 8th & I Ceremonial Marines Of The 1958-1961 Era & Others,

Enjoy reading Bob Wayne's and Bea Stake's e-mails (scroll down) and take care!

NOTE: If you knew Stanley N. Stake, his widow, Bea, would be happy to hear from you!

John T. Reim, "Semper Fi"

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Subject: "My long overdue response to your email"

Dear Bea,

I'm Bob Wayne, a Marine who served in the honor guard at 8th & I from January 1956 to January 1957,
First and foremost, I would like to offer my humble apology for not getting back to you. I just recently found
your email message from last September, hiding among email from other 8th & I Association members.
You mentioned that your husband was stationed there sometime between 1953 and 56. I did a quick check
in the roster for the years mentioned and could not find him listed. I'm sure there must be a resolution to that
problem somewhere, possibly by someone a little closer to the archives than I am. It's quite possible that he
could've been there in 1956. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet him.

To be hand picked and serve at 8th & I (the Marine Corps' oldest post) is truly an honor; one must absolutely meet the
Corps' highest standards and withstand the maximum degree of scrutiny to be chosen.
President Eisenhower was commander in chief during my time in D.C.. It was a great honor to serve under his leadership.
During that particular era, we certainly did do it all; all types of ceremonial activities, funerals at Arlington National Cemetery,
reception of foreign dignitaries, silent drill performances throughout the U.S. and abroad, guarding the president during his
various stays at Camp David, Friday evening sunset parades at Marine Barracks and also, the Iwo Jima monument at Arlington.

My tour at 8th & I was absolutely great, but after one year, I wanted overseas duty and in January '57, I put in for it, and found myself at Camp Pendleton, CA. in mid of January '57.

It wasn't very long and I was on the way to “Pickle Meadows”, the Corps' cold weather training grounds, in the high Sierra mountains of northern California. Well, we spent about 8 days at the 9,000 to 10,000 thousand foot elevations playing war games. It was brutally cold, especially at night with actual temperatures dropping to 25 and 30 degrees below zero. Many of the guys from the south had never seen snow and such bone chilling temperatures, and were now compelled to live in it. The snow was literally several feet deep, because it never stops snowing and blowing during winter months.

Within a couple days of completing our cold-weather training, we were boarding a ship in San Diego
and heading for Japan. My ship was part of an entire Navy task force, engaged in wartime simulation
and training throughout the entire voyage. It took us 24 days to get to Yokosuka , Japan due to monstrous
storm activity raging in the north pacific. The monster waves were absolutely huge (exceeding 35 and 40 feet)
and rolling right over the top of our ships... we were like tiny toys.

My tour of duty in the far east was with 4 Deuce Mortar Co. (4.2 inch) based at North Camp Fuji, Japan,
3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division. I spent the next 17 months playing war games in Japan, Okinawa, the Philippines
and a blistering trip down to the equator and sweltering heat at Borneo. The mission was to quell an uprising
of the native population and protect American citizens.

I returned to the states in late May of '58, spent nearly a week in quarantine at Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay
(a 5 day quarantine was mandatory at that time), then my last four months of service was at Quantico, VA.
That's a Marine base about 40 miles southwest of D.C. where all officers receive their training and also, F.B.I. agents
train there. My company, S.D.T. (Schools Demonstration Troops) provided a broad spectrum of weapon demonstrations for the new
rookie 2nd lieutenants during their basic training.

Well Bea, I guess I got a little long-winded here....I'm wishing that I had known of the 8th & I Reunion Association
several years ago. It would have been great to have attended at least one of the reunions.

Currently any such endeavor won't be happening due to my worn out body, I'm now tethered to an oxygen machine 24/7, my 17 year old heart by-pass has exceeded it's life expectancy, my severe spinal stenosis and peripheral artery disease keep me from walking more than a few steps at a time, the stage 3 kidney disease keeps threatening me, and other than that, I'm in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in... LOL, see... I've actually had to learn a few of my grandchildren's cell phone acronyms and buzz-words... ha-ha.

In the late 70s, I lived in Hendersonville, N.C. and got down to the Greenville and Spartanburg area several times. I really liked Columbia and the entire Western part of the state, beautiful country indeed. Who knows.... through 1956 during my time at 8th & I, I may have sat right across the table from your husband in the mess hall or some other place and never even knew it.

My thought for today and actually every day, is the depth of moral decay that is gripping our beloved country.
We really do need to ask for God's help, scripture tells us that we must "pray fervently without ceasing"!!

Wishing you good health and many blessings in the year ahead.

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

Bea,

Below is a copy of your original email of 9/15/2017:.. Wow, almost a year has slipped by me already!
Once again, I'm very sorry that I didn't respond to you much sooner.

******************************

Robert:

Sorry to hear of your health issues but you do seem to be in good spirits by the sound of your e-mail...That's what it takes, a good positive attitude, something a Marine always has!!! Yes, sometimes it is hard I know....

You are the first one I have come across in the Aux that was in 8 & I in the 50's....My husband, deceased, was there somewhere between 1953-56 not sure of exact dates. He use to talk about the Honor Guard, President Eisenhower, silent drill team etc. I think back then you guys did it all, am I right? He wanted to see the world and put in for a transfer, took several times, and finally was sent to Japan. He was always looking for old Marine buddies in 8th & I but at the time didn't know about the aux. He would have really enjoyed getting together at reunions, emailing etc... We both were very active in the Marine Corp Leagues, in Florida and attended their reunions get together's etc.... Lots of good memories.

Florida family just went through Hurricane Irma but thank goodness they are ok..Lost roof shingles, screening around pool but all very minor compared to others.... I am in Greenville SC now and the storm even came up this way of course not as bad.....Lots of wind and rain...Big problem is tree's falling and going through houses and knocking down power lines....Then poor Texas.........Makes you wonder if "someone" isn't trying to tell us all to stop all the nonsense in this troubled world and start being nice to each other.......(My thought for the day!!!!!)

Hope you are having a good day.

By any chance did you ever meet up with my husband, I know it is a long time ago and our memories, at least mine isn't, as sharp as it use to be...Stanley N. Stake from New Jersey.....

Bea Stake

Submitted by Margaret Boles, widow of 8th & I Marine Dennis A. Boles, H & S Company, 1956-58, Mitchellville, MD

and Bob Wayne - Cpl. 1566452, 8th and I Honor Guard 1953-1956

Anyone having additional submissions for this page should send them to: webmaster @ 8thandI.com

Contact us at: cgccontact @ 8thandI.com, 8th&I Reunion Association

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