Raiding Minneapolis
The story you are about to read it true, no names have been changed to protect anybody! That includes the author - Louie Marsh. The opinions expressed below are mine only - all errors are mine alone. This is a view of the present day Raiders from one of their off spring - let me know what you think
Wednesday, September 8, 1993 9:00 A.M.
Mom, Dad and I, after the usual hassles of getting packed and to the airport, etc. are sitting in the lounge waiting for our time to fly. We meet our first Raider taking before off thanks to Dad's red, white and blue cap with the Raider Insignia on the front. He was drawn to it like a moth to a porch light. His name is Bob Chastain, a Democrat in the Arizona State House of Representatives (Bob Chastain - a Raider made good, who has since left the House).
The plane finally leaves at about 9:15 and off we go into the wild blue yonder. This trip proved, should any proof be needed, that I am not a natural flyer. In spite of a smooth flight, a surprisingly good meal, and my faith in the Sovereignty of God, I pretty much white knuckled it all the way!
If I had known that the guy who drove us to the hotel from the airport was a graduate of the Kamikaze School of Driving I might have worried less about the flight! As we made our way to our room we passed "The Hospitality Room." I put that in quotes because in reality it was the area that surrounded the pool and a couple of adjoining rooms. All inside of course - how often could an outdoor pool be used in Minnesota anyway?
That afternoon Dad met the first of many of his old comrades in arms. None of whom he had seen since World War Two. Nearly half a century had passed, and I found myself wondering what it must be like for these men to be reunited after all that time.
Right away I encountered my first surprise - these guys recognized each other! One of the first men Dad recognized was Bill Salleng, who had been in Dad's platoon. Another, less startling surprise, was when he called him "Danny!"
Few indeed have had the courage to call my father that in my lifetime. The only others I know of were some relatives back east. (And knowing my family tree I'm never too surprised at bizarre behavior from the Marsh Clan) It struck me as strange, until I realized that these men were barely out of boyhood when they knew and fought beside each other.
Dad also met his first company commander and the man who selected him for the Raiders, Bill Flake. Looking at Mr. Flake you would never guess he had commanded a company of elite, commando-like warriors. This was to be a common experience of mine during those four days in
Minneapolis. Who could have guessed that these smiling retirees had been the point of the sword in our war against Japan?
That afternoon also introduced me to the most remarkable man that I was to find among this remarkable group Colonel Martin J. ("Stormy") Sexton. I've read for years about "command presence." Stormy has it - in spades. He's soft spoken, dignified, reserved and yet everyone is drawn to him. This was the one man I could easily picture in command of Marines, or anyone else for that matter. I couldn't help but think that Robert E. Lee probably carried himself a lot like Stormy does.
Dad served under Stormy when he transferred to the 3rd Battalion after the Raiders were disbanded and became the 4th Marine Regiment. Dad continued to serve under his command at Guam and Okinawa, the final battle of WW 2.
Thursday, September 9,1993
The alarm went off at 5:10 A.M. local time to start our second day of Raiding Minneapolis. I arose like a weary Marine Raider of old desperately wishing for two things - food and more sleep!
I got the food, as we walked across the street, and a large parking lot to a shopping mall and broke our fast at McDonalds. Hey - it was a lot better than K rations! They were also the only place in Minneapolis that had the coffee Mom and Dad craved at semi-reasonable prices!
It was during the walk over and back that I discovered a strange thing. I was bothered that something just didn't seem right. Finally I realized what it was there were no mountains in sight! Since I've just about always lived near mountains it took some getting used too. I had entered the domain of the Flat Landers - and it was strange indeed!
At about 9:30 that morning we took off for "historic" Fort Snelling. We had a great time there, and an even better one upon our return. Dad met another one of his old friends, who had recently published a novel about the Raiders in WW 2. John ("Moe") McCormick.
After the war Moe earned his Ph.D. and taught at the University of Alabama, and has had many articles published. He's yet another kindly looking grandfather who you'd never guess rampaged through the Pacific.
His book is called "The Right Kind of War." It came out in hardback and sold well. It's now available in paperback. If you have any interest in WW 2, the Marine Corps, great writing, history or would just like stay on my good side - GO OUT AND BUY IT!!
After Dad talked to Moe we were off to the Mall of America, the largest enclosed shopping Mall in the USA. It's huge all right - but nothing to wax poetic about.
Upon our return to the hotel Moe autographed my copy of his book. I’d like to tell you what he wrote but my ever humble Dad doesn’t want me too – and since it’s his site…..
The other Big Event of the day was the opening of the Raider Gift Shop. We (which being translated means Dad paid for all this stuff) picked up T-shirts, beautiful black Raider Jackets with the Raider Patch over your heart, and other assorted goodies.
I called the church at 11 P.M. that night, to see if there were any messages for me. There weren't - but I learned what a hassle it is to use a calling card! However true to my Raider heritage I stuck it out until the mission was accomplished!
Friday, September 10th
Due to our long schedule on the previous day we slept in on Friday, not awakening until 6 A.M. After a healthy breakfast at Arby’s (McDonalds was closed) we left for the Memorial Service.
The Memorial Service was held at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery and was quite moving. Standing there with all those men who were remembering their fallen friends was quite an experience.
Even more remarkable was the trip out of the cemetery. We drove through acre after acre of gleaming white head stones, marking the final resting place of so many men who had fought for their country. Staring out over those neatly laid out stones, I wondered about the life that each one marked, a life now gone. How short life is, and how deep our debt is to the generations that went before us.
We owe so much to the World War 2 generation - I wonder if our children and grandchildren will feel the same way about us?
Returning to the hotel we feasted once again at Arby's. Then Mom and I bought our Raider hats (matching Dad's of course!), and Dad met another old buddy of his, Art Corrella.
Dad and I had each bought a copy of "The Marine Raider's Historical Handbook," a short history of the Raiders written by Stormy- Spying the good colonel Mom grabbed our copies and asked him if he'd sign them. Inspite of dire predictions to the contrary, he graciously agreed to do so. Even a retired Marine Colonel and former Raider knows better than to try and take on my MOM!
After dinner (at a sit down restaurant this time!) we headed for the hospitality room. There Dad finally had the chance to sit down with Pinky and have a long talk. We also met another old pal, Shirl Butler, who is now an ordained minister and has taken up the duties of the Raiders former Chaplain the late, great, Father Redmond.
He and I had a nice talk about the ups and downs of the ministry. He also shared some thoughts on sermon length. If I remember correctly I'm afraid I still preach longer than he recommends!
Saturday, September 11th
Once more our intrepid band arose at 6 A. M. and took off for breakfast. This time we chose Arby's, but had to go to McDonald's because Arby's was closed!
Saturday morning was given over the membership meeting for the Raiders. We non-Raiders were shuffled off the ever popular Mall of America. Mom and I left at 9:15 and got back at about 1:30. However I did buy a CD with the theme song for the church's Sunday own radio show. so it was a fruitful trip after all.
Returning from the Mall we hooked up with Dad and were introduced to another old friend Charles ("Chow Chow") Smith. Dad also met other old friends that I haven't mentioned, since I don't have recorded on what day he found them. Included among them are, Lee Almond, Joe Wolfe and Otto Bergenske (who brought part of his original Raider uniform!)
We spent the late afternoon getting cleaned up and prepared for the big banquet that would be the closing event of the reunion.