I grew up outside of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Lots of my high school classmates were children of Marines.

Two career Marines were my mentors: Tony Oubre, who was on Wake Island, and Dewey Amick, My recruiter, Master Sgt Jones, was the perfect Marine.

My family has a long history of military service going back to colonial times. My son and daughter are Navy veterans.

George White, sergeant at arms, American Legion South Bay Post 184, Redondo Beach, Calif.