US Marine Corps – hbauld's Weblog

Jaiden Auld at age 11
Jaiden at age 18 with USMC Recruiter Sergeant Ross.

by HB Auld, Jr.

One of our grandsons has joined the US military. Jaiden Auld will one day soon be a United States Marine.

Jaiden is the youngest son of my youngest son, Chuck Auld. I am like Chuck this morning; I have run the full gamut of emotions from pride and joy to absolutely terrified for his safety.

According to Chuck, this is something that Jaiden has planned for and wanted to do for a year. He has worked on his stamina and strength and built both of them up. Formerly, when a young man or woman joined the US Marines, they were pretty much shipped right out to Basic Training. Now, they have a program called “Poolies,” where men and women who join in the same area meet and work together as a “pool” of recruits-to-be. The allows them to build a camaraderie and esprit de corps for several months, up to a year, before they all go to Basic Training as a cohesive group. Occasionally, one will leave the group and go early, if an opening becomes available and both the Recruiter and the Poolie believe they are ready, but generally, they go in as a group.

While this is certainly not about me but ALL about Jaiden, as a career Sailor who is the son of a World War II Infantryman, I am so very proud that Jaiden has chosen to serve his Nation as a member of the United States Marine Corps.

Please pray for him, and all of the other service members today, who have chosen to answer this call.

The photos here are of Jaiden and his USMC Recruiter, Sergeant Ross.

God bless these men and women and God bless America.

Oooo-RAH and Semper Fi, Grandson!

Sgt Kenneth May

USMC Sergeant Kenneth B. May, Jr.

Today, on this Memorial Day, 2016, we pause to remember a hometown hero, United States Marine Corps Sergeant Kenneth B. May, Jr.

Marine Sergeant Kenneth B. May Jr. died May 11, 2010, serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant May, 26, of Kilgore, Texas; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Marine Corporal Jeffrey W. Johnson.

Sergeant May and Corporal Johnson, of Tomball, Texas, were anti-tank assault guided missilemen assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines.

Sergeant May enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2005 and was on his third combat deployment when he was Killed In Action. His death came one day after his second wedding anniversary.

Corporal Johnson, who enlisted in 2007, was on his second deployment.

At the memorial service for Sergeant Kenneth May Jr., the musical selections included “Nothing Else Matters” by the metal band Metallica. It might be an usual choice for some, but not for the avid musician and guitarist.

“Only Kenny would have metal playing at his funeral and at his wedding,” said Mike Brooks, the pastor of a church in San Clemente, Calif., near where Sergeant May was based at Camp Pendleton. “I know he’s smiling about all this.”

Sergeant May was married to Krystal Barton, who marked their second wedding anniversary the day before her husband’s death.

He graduated in 2004 from Kilgore College, where he was in an international academic honor society and put his musical talents to use in the marching band and the chorale, a school spokesman said. Sergeant May also enjoyed gaming and working with firearms.

The Rev. John Gradberg said Sergeant May was a man of faith and humility, who would have told mourners to “save this accolade for a real hero.”

Survivors include his wife; his parents, Kenneth and Karen May; and a sister.

I was privileged to attend Sergeant May’s funeral in Kilgore, Texas, as part of the East Texas Patriot Guard Riders, and stand the Flag Line honoring Sergeant May. May he Rest in Peace, and his family be comforted in their loss.

The preceding information was provided by the Associated Press and KLTV, Channel 7.