Debbie Draper, Pt. 4

The guest speaker for the evening, Paul X. Kelly, former commandant of the Marines.  His speech truly did service to a group of highly respected and distinguished men – the Marine Raiders!

I was remiss in writing down the names of these two individuals at the banquet who were seated at the same dinner table as I.  Both were representatives of organizations of the 6th Marines. If memory serves me right, the gentleman was a medic at Iwo Jima and the lady (and she truly was) is the widow of another medic, who also served in the 6th Marines.  Truly amazing people that I felt fortunate to have spent some time with

I had opportunity to meet and talk with Mel Hecht, currently the President of the Raider Association.  I know he must have been busy with a lot of family and comrades at the banquet.  And yet, he took time to sit and talk with me one on one.  Only if he reads this will he know how much that meant to me.  He is simply an outstanding and dignified gentleman!

My last picture is by no means the least important to me.  It is unfortunate that Jerry Beau’s eyes are closed because if anyone is looking out for the Raider Association, it is he!!!  He provided me with a roster of my Dad’s Raider service and this, in turn, helped me piece together where Dad was (and helped him remember stories that I now have on tape).  Jerry is truly a classy guy!!!

I'd have to say my first Raider Reunion was a GREAT personal success.  I brought along a couple of books about Raiders and managed to get lots of signatures – I’ve since been able to add my Dad’s as well.  They were great books before, but now they are PRICELESS in spirit!

I got a chance to talk to men from all 4 Raider Battalions and heard stories about stolen cows, passwords (lu-la lu-la lay), ‘staik and aggs’ from New Zealand, and heard about the losses as well as the wonderful lives and families that were built after the war.

My journey has brought me closer to my Dad and helped me understand part of what makes him the man he is.  I wish Dad could more easily share what I believe my generation needs to know about the sacrifices his generation made.  But when we talk about that first day on Tulagi, I understand why he doesn’t like to revisit that part of his past.

Dad – if you get a chance to go on-line, know how proud I am of you and all Raiders!!