Greetings from My Mountain Cabin,
"Lean back, lean back . . . strut . . . strut . . . strut . . . "
The words still resonate from some deep recess in my psyche. Back in the late 1960's, I found myself under the tender, loving care of SGT Dallas M. Ricker, a US Marine Corps drill instructor, during the weeks I was attending US Navy Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL. The admonition to stand straight and tall was the bedrock of close-order drill. It was also a metaphor for manifesting a level of self-confidence that could empower a person to deal with all manner of challenges throughout life.
"Lean back, lean back . . . strut . . . strut . . . strut . . . "
As is typical in the low country during the dog days of summer, the temperature was in the high 90's, accompanied by oppressive humidity. Those of us in the bleachers were sweating profusely. But despite our physical inconvenience, the young women and men who had just earned their EGA (Eagle, Globe and Anchor—the coveted emblem of a Marine) had it worse. Marching and standing in formation certainly exacerbated the effects of the heat.
"Lean back, lean back . . . strut . . . strut . . . strut . . . "
My attitude toward armed conflict is not uncommon among fellow Veterans who served during the Vietnam War. The wisdom of hindsight is always 20/20. In retrospect, many of us feel the war was senseless. We thought we were "defending American freedom" and "halting the spread of Communism on the Pacific Rim" in what was actually an internal civil war among the Vietnamese. Yet despite these misgivings, all of the Vietnam-era Veterans that I know would put on the uniform today if our homeland were threatened by an armed invader.
How little times have changed. Irrespective of one's political persuasions concerning the combat involvement of US troops in today's wars being fought on foreign soil, it is obvious that another generation of young people in the military have stepped forward and committed themselves to doing what they feel is right. There are no noble wars . . . only noble warriors.
"Lean back, lean back . . . strut . . . strut . . . strut . . . "
Matthew and Jonathan, I wish you only the best. Annette and I are more proud of you than we can express. You honor your heritage by joining the ranks of family members who have served their country in our Armed Forces. Just as it is my honor to remind you who they are . . .
✶ Marcus D. Boulware, USA (Your great-grandfather who rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and died in a Japanese prison camp during World War II)
✶ Edward W. Kesgen, USA (My dad and another Veteran of World War II)
✶ Richard H. Jacobs III, USA (Your grandad and a Veteran of the Korean conflict)
✶ Anthony Poston, USA (Your proud father who happens to be one of those guys who enjoyed jumping out of perfectly good airplanes)
✶ Edward J. Kesgen, USN (me; just a deck ape on an aircraft carrier)
✶ Carl V. Kesgen, USN (A Navy Hospital Corpsman who served with a USMC scout sniper platoon) . . . and now . . .
✶ Matthew Poston, USMC
✶ Jonathan Poston, USMC
Matthew and Jonathan, during the entire time you were in boot camp, your aunt Annette kept a candle burning for each of you on our mantle. That light will never go out.
"Lean back, lean back . . . strut . . . strut . . . strut . . . "
Semper Fi,
Ed
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