Sergeant Kevin Boeldt

Spirit Lake, ID

When I was in the 8th grade, I had a geography teacher named Mr. Cooper. He would tell stories about when he was a young Marine during the Korean War. These stories absolutley fascinated me to no end. I knew from that first story on, I would someday become one of the few and proud. Jump forwad 3 1/2 years. As a senior in high school, the recruiters paid us regular visits. I took my A.S.V.A.B. test and scored quite well. Needless to say, ALL branches were calling to enlist me. My mind was already set, Marine Corps. I signed the papers half way through my senior year and left for bootcamp on July 10, 1978. My father, who served in the Navy, told me as I was leaving, "You could have picked a better branch." I graduated boot with a meritorious promotion and a newfound respect in life. I served my 4 years and departed the Corps. After a year of the civillian life I once again yearned for the life of a Marine. I once again visited the recruiters and re-enlisted. Unfortunately, after 8 more years of service, I was caught up in the military cutbacks and was forced out of service. Today I am a life member in the Marine Corps League and still have the utmost and profound respect for ALL of our Marines, past and present, worldwide.