MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay -- A group of 12 former Marines, many with combat action experience, visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii April 13 - 15 for a chance to rekindle some of that old Marine Corps spirit. The veterans all retired to Kauai after their military careers ended. They now make up the core of Kauai's Marine Corps League, and keep the spirit of the Marine Corps alive by holding meetings, volunteering in the community and sponsoring Toys for Tots drives.
The group got a shot of nostalgia when they visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
"This visit marks the first time I have been back on a base since I was discharged from the Corps back in 1946," said former Sgt. Harris Smith, a World War II veteran of Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester and Peleliu. "It was a wonderful experience to be around these fine young Marines the Corps has today."
The group stayed in an open squadbay reminiscent of their active duty days while taking their meals at the chow hall during the visit. But some things were definitely not quite the same, specifically at the rifle range, where the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer (ISMT) and the Location of Misses and Hits (LOMAH) computerized scoring systems are in use today.
"It is amazing the technology the Corps has today," said former Sgt. Maj. Bud White, who served combat tours in Korea and Vietnam. "Other than that though, Marines are still Marines."
"Except that the Marines today are in a lot better shape," added former Cpl. Frank Kleckner, a Vietnam veteran. "They are a lot bigger and stronger than we were."
"Speak for yourself," chimed back White jokingly. "Back in my day we got our PT [physical training] in on 25-mile humps with full packs on. You might have been a wet spaghetti noodle, but I wasn't."
White then set out to prove his point, joining members of the Corporal's Course for their morning physical training regiment by doing a mile around the track at Pop Warner Field with them.
White wasn't the only one who seemed comfortable in his own shoes aboard the base.
"When I came back on the base I felt like I was home again," said former Pfc. Angelo Batin. "The Marine Corps always makes me feel like I have a home."
"The hospitality extended by Marine Corps Base Hawaii to some of her old veterans made us feel like we were still part of the Corps," added former Sgt. George Farmer. "We were all impressed by the base and most of all, by the young Marines themselves."
After two days spent touring the rifle range, Explosive Ordnance Division and Marine Corps Air Facility; viewing Military Working Dog and martial arts demonstrations; and meeting with active duty Marines from around the base, the veterans were treated to trips at their request to the Enlisted Club and the Staff NCO Club.
"It is always a pleasure to have our veterans back on base," said Sgt. Maj. Anthony Franks, MCB Hawaii base sergeant major, as he shook hands and mingled with the Kauai Marine Corps League members. "They are always welcome here."
After meeting with Franks, Kleckner commented that, "The sergeant major's acknowledgements to us and warm reception of us was something that only other Marines can truly understand. 'Once a Marine, always a Marine' is not just some phrase that we Marines throw around. It is who we are. We are brothers."