Post by Bill Weldon on Jan 20, 2007 16:07:52 GMT -5
James R. Casey
Deputy Executive Director
Marine Corps Aviation Association
PO Box 296
715 Broadway Street
Quantico, VA 22134
(703) 630-1903
(703) 630-2713 fax
www.flymcaa.org
Subject: Sgt Grit Newsletter Article
My Uncle
An amusing story from my boot camp days; my uncle retired from the Corps after 30 odd years as a Master Gunnery Sergeant, many, many years before I entered the Corps. Most of his time in the Corps was spent on the "Crash Crew", those brave Marines that respond to aircraft accidents (among other duties). Anyway, while I was at MCRD Parris Island, and toward the end of my basic training, my Uncle was being honored one Sunday in the town of Buford, which is right outside the gates of Parris Island, for his service. He decided to stop in and see me while he was in the neighborhood (he and his family had driven up from Florida for the ceremony). I can only image the reaction at the front gate and at headquarters when "Master Gunnery Sergeant William Kane" requested to see his nephew, a lowly recruit! Needless to say, my Senior Drill Instructor was a bit taken aback when he learned of my "legendary" Uncle! It amazed me to see this Staff Sergeant, who had until then had torn me down and built me back up and had seemed to me to be the most squared away and powerful Marine imaginable, snap to attention and show my Uncle the highest degree of respect possible, even to the extent of calling him Sir! My Uncle didn't recognize me, which, from reading your newsletters, is not that uncommon, and our visit was short lived, as there was still training to be done. After that surprise visit, my Senior Drill Instructor treated me (and the rest of the platoon) differently, I won't say it was because of my Uncle, it was probably because we were nearing the end of Basic, and were near to earning the "title".
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Kane
Sgt., USMC
3rd AAV Bn.
1st Mar. Div.
Deputy Executive Director
Marine Corps Aviation Association
PO Box 296
715 Broadway Street
Quantico, VA 22134
(703) 630-1903
(703) 630-2713 fax
www.flymcaa.org
Subject: Sgt Grit Newsletter Article
My Uncle
An amusing story from my boot camp days; my uncle retired from the Corps after 30 odd years as a Master Gunnery Sergeant, many, many years before I entered the Corps. Most of his time in the Corps was spent on the "Crash Crew", those brave Marines that respond to aircraft accidents (among other duties). Anyway, while I was at MCRD Parris Island, and toward the end of my basic training, my Uncle was being honored one Sunday in the town of Buford, which is right outside the gates of Parris Island, for his service. He decided to stop in and see me while he was in the neighborhood (he and his family had driven up from Florida for the ceremony). I can only image the reaction at the front gate and at headquarters when "Master Gunnery Sergeant William Kane" requested to see his nephew, a lowly recruit! Needless to say, my Senior Drill Instructor was a bit taken aback when he learned of my "legendary" Uncle! It amazed me to see this Staff Sergeant, who had until then had torn me down and built me back up and had seemed to me to be the most squared away and powerful Marine imaginable, snap to attention and show my Uncle the highest degree of respect possible, even to the extent of calling him Sir! My Uncle didn't recognize me, which, from reading your newsletters, is not that uncommon, and our visit was short lived, as there was still training to be done. After that surprise visit, my Senior Drill Instructor treated me (and the rest of the platoon) differently, I won't say it was because of my Uncle, it was probably because we were nearing the end of Basic, and were near to earning the "title".
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Kane
Sgt., USMC
3rd AAV Bn.
1st Mar. Div.