In the Marine Corps, luxury is a dirty word. If you aren't suffering, you aren't doing it right. That's why Marines like me carry a specific label: we are 'Hollywood Marines.' It's a subtle jab from our brothers who trained on the East Coast at Parris Island. To them, training at MCRD San Diego in sunny Southern California—where the average temperature sits at a comfortable 70 degrees—is an imputation of privilege and celebrity. They imagine us lounging under palm trees while they battle the swamps of South Carolina.

But don't let the name fool you. While the 'God-given luxury' of the California sun beat down on us, 'The Grinder' didn't feel like a movie set. Whether you're at Parris Island or San Diego, the transformation from 'Maggot' to Marine is a shock to the system that no amount of sunshine can soften. Oorah!

The Dynamic Duo

The car in the photo is like the car Kenny and I drove from Chicago to San Diego. Lenny and I gave our East Coast Marine brothers more to talk about. We became hooked on going north to have fun every weekend we could. For over a year, we drove my car, sometimes with five of us in it.

We would share expenses, drop off the three riders at the beach town of Santa Monica, and head for La Puente—a short 26 miles away—where Alice lived. From there, it was 6 miles to Baldwin Park where Judy lived, and 23 miles to Hollywood. Hence, we became the Hollywood, Dynamic Duo, Marines. We were weekend warriors, and you can only imagine what kind of 'battles' we fought on those weekends! Oorah! 

You can only imagine what kind of 'battles' we fought on those weekends!"

Alice - (1963 I think)

Georgia and I have maintained our friendship with Alice for over 62 years. Back in the day, Alice fell head over heels for Lenny. They were interesting to listen to in the backseat as we drove from place to place—they absolutely couldn't keep their hands off each other! They eventually got married and began a family with their daughter, Kim, out in California.

Later, we met up with them in Chicago so I could introduce them to Georgia. That meeting was the start of something truly special, and Alice and Georgia quickly became lifelong friends. Our families grew up right alongside each other. We had Michele, and they had Kim. Later, we had Scott, and they had Denise. We all ended up living in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago and did a lot of living together during those years.

More to come.