He touched my heart
His name was Dennis Glenn. He was a fireplug of a guy. He was maybe 5′7″ tall and broad shouldered. He had a crewcut, freckles and a contageous grin and laugh. We ate lunch together in High School mainly because me and my buddy Gibson would talk about joining the Marines, and other cowboy stuff. Gibson and I were seniors and Dennis was a sophmore. He crowded into our table because we talked of joining the Marines. It was 1965 and Vietnam was going on.
We didn’t know but Dennis’s dad was a US Marine in WWII. Well Gibson and I graduated. Gibson joined the Marines. I have a photo of him and me and ma, as Gibson a L/Cpl then boarded a plane for Vietnam.
I was 17 when I gradueated from High School. I wanted to join the Marines too. Another buddy … a black kid named Eddy had unknowingly convinced me. Up to then I was going to join the Army and try for paratrooper, maybe Ranger or Special Forces.
But my folks would not sign for me. I agreed to attend one year of college, and then I could join if I wanted.
I ended up joining the PLC program (Platoon Leader’s Course). After college I went into the Corps as a Second Lieutnenant.
Gibson was back by then. Dennis had enlisted. Dennis Glenn, LCpl USMC, KIA Vietnam, his name is on the wall. I know other Marines are alive today because of Dennis, him and his infectious smille and warm funny laugh.
Late in my Marine Career, on my twilight cruise, I drove past Dennis’s house. Out front was his dad in his coveralls. He saluted. I saluted. I drove on.
I miss Dennis.
Thanks Mike for the web address:
March 30th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
I don’t know what to say, except God bless them all.
March 30th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
He touched my heart, too.