To be a part of the U.S. Marine Corps is a great honor. These individuals understand sacrifice and loyalty like no one else, and we show our utmost respect for their service.
One guy shared his experience of meeting a retired Marine for the first time. He felt compelled to approach him, say hello, and express gratitude. What he heard in return was truly moving.
“Semper Fi, we honor your generation,” he said to the veteran out of admiration. The veteran’s reply took him by surprise. Check out the Facebook post below.
Justin Governale
I spotted a man with a Marine Raider pin, Purple Heart, and other badges on his hat at Starbucks this morning. I walked over and said “Semper Fi, we honor your generation.” He replied “Semper Fi, 1st Raider Battalion, Alpha company, Okinawa.” If anyone knows anything about history they know these men are made from tough stuff.
He started sharing stories about when he got injured. He mentioned loading certain magazines with tracers because it would set Japanese buildings ablaze. He ignited three buildings during combat and told me “those sons of b****es didn’t like that! They hit back with a rocket that took down my squad leader and the assistant loading the belt! All I got was a chunk missing from my hip! The Corpsman rushed over to help me but then they shelled our position so hard it almost wiped everyone out! I can’t recall what happened for the next week; I woke up in a hospital where a doctor was draining fluid from my chest with a syringe! Guess I got hit there; lost one lung!” Then he laughed saying “How does someone live to be 90 with just one lung? Hahaha.”
Next he talked about recovering in Guam while two hundred Japanese paratroopers were dropped nearby taking down friendlies around them! He had two choices: stay or run away! So he pulled all needles off himself put tape on his wounds & hid for 24 days until rescued! On his flight back home another Marine gave him a Lucky Strike cigarette; as he tried lighting it up the doctor saw him & yelled “what’s wrong with you? You only have one lung!” They then pumped him full of meds until he passed out waking up in an American hospital!
Eventually he healed but tried re-enlisting but ended up being medically retired instead. I helped him stand & walked him to his ride which was just golf cart!! As he climbed into it I shook his hand again telling him he’s the saltiest Marine I’ve ever met!! He replied saying “all my buddies are saltier than me; I’ve had an amazing life without regrets!” Then added ”I hope to see you again young man so we can chat.”
This man made my year—he’s living history sharing raw stories!! Even though I had tons to do today—I listened for an hour & half as he spoke about bravest person he’d known who deserved remembrance!!! Last thing said was “Semper Fi Raiders never die.”
