Corporal Dale Messmer

Cape Fair, MO

The Marine Corps was the really the only 'family' I had ever known. My mother died when I was five, and my father was a mean drunk, who drank every day of his life. I left home at 15, put myself through high school by working at night. Played football and baseball and was not quite good enough to earn a college scholarship. I watched the Vietnam war on the evening news for a long time, before I walked into the Marine Recruiter's office and volunteered. Three months later I left San Diego with a stripe and something that would stay with me for the rest of my life...a feeling of belonging, a feeling of uncompromising trust of my brother Marines. I had found the family that I never had experienced in my life. To this day, my greatest sorrow is that I was wounded just enough that I had no choice but to leave my beloved Marine Corps. But, also, to this day (I'm 63) when I see a young Marine I never miss the opportunity to thank him and tell him how proud I am to be his 'brother'. I'm almost completely deaf now, but I can still turn the stereo up loud enough in my car and home (much to the chagrin of my wife and neighbors) to still hear the Marine Corps Hymn, and have difficulty singing the words because of the lump in my throat. I have had the rare and distinct pleasure and exceptional privilege to have earned 'The Title', and stood with men who were nothing less than genuine heros... and they were all my brothers. When my time comes (as it will soon) my last request is that I be buried with Marines, so that I can be with the men I love for all eternity. God Bless America, and God Bless & protect my United States Marine Corps brothers & sisters. In closing, I shall forever remain... "Semper Fi"