Platoon 208 - 209 Reunion

April 2001

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April 2001 Oliver and I were invited to Platoon 208 - 209 (Graduated April 1959) second reunion at Parris Island for 3 days and 2 nights of fun. Oliver made friends with a Marine by the name of John Wintersteen from the Platoon 208 on the web site The Few (http://www.thefew.com/) If you haven't visited this web site. 

~~~ Savannah, Georgia Airport ~~~

When we landed at Savannah, Georgia. A fellow Platoon 233 Marine,  Joe Jordan meet us.  As you can see Joe turned in one uniform for another. He is a Sergeant with the Savannah Police Department. 

~~~ Osprey House ~~~

Osprey House sits at the Northern edge if the island. Looking straight out the door of the room is the Beaufort River that feeds right into the Atlantic Ocean. At night it was great to sit out side and hear the water and large boats and barges going up and down the river. The breeze wasn't half bad ether.

Most of the time the Osprey House is used to house Marines that were going through DI School. We had DI's almost every where practicing their routine.   

~~~ Bus Service ~~~

We were given a bus that is normally used to transport recruits around the base. The first day "our DI" got on the bus giving us instructions on the rules of the day. I think most of the men were in hog heaven listening to SSgt. Walter Diggs.  I will even admit he was very impressive. 

~~~ Second Battalion dinning hall ~~~

Meals were at the at the Second Battalion dinning hall....I am sorry MESS HALL

Breakfast was $1.50 Lunch was $3.00 per person all you could eat. Oliver said they did not have food this good when he came through boot camp.

~~~ Rifle Range ~~~

 DI, SSgt. Walter Diggs assigned as our escort. 

......>>>>......

~~~ DI School ~~~

Sorry about some of the pictures inside. They are very dark I tried to lighten them to give you an idea what it looks like inside.

The pictures you see in this photo are pictures of every DI Class from the inception of the DI School. They wrap 3 of the walls. Above are the flags of the each of the 50 states. United States and Marine Corps flags on stage.  

The frames you see on the wall are pictures and a brief history about the DI's that lost there lives serving our Country. They go down both walls the full length of the building. 

~~~ Morning Colors Ceremony ~~~

~~~ Parris Island Marine Band ~~~

With the colors presented the band played a few songs, then we headed to the Parade grounds for the graduation ceremony. The pictures are random of what was going on around us. From the presenting on the Honor Awards in the Company and the Platoon to the Awards given in Marksmanship, Physical Excellence and Meritorious Promotion.  

~~~ Graduation ~~~

Series 1032

Platoon 1032

Platoon 1033

Platoon 1034

Series 1036

Platoon 1036

Platoon 1037

Platoon 1038

~~~ Platoon Picture ~~~

On the front steps of the Commanding General's Building.

This was a great photo opportunity and I am sure you can see why. 

The end results below.  

~~~Oath of Enlistment ~~~

After graduation the DI's of Platoon 208 brought the Platoon members to the side of the Iwo Jima Memorial.

There the men lined up and reaffirmed their oath of allegiance to the United States Marine Corps.  

~~~ DI Monument ~~~

~~~ Marine Corps Wives ~~~