Prior to the start of World War II, my father joined the 192nd Tank Battalion in Maywood, Ill. The unit was activated by President F.D. Roosevelt and sent to the Philippine Islands. He was captured by the Japanese, when the Army was surrendered. He endured and survived the Bataan Death March. Initially he was held in the Philippines. Later he was sent mainland Japan. He was a slave laborer in a coal mine. During his time in captivity, he took a part of his uniform and stitched a map of the Pacific and recorded the movements of the island-hopping campaign to Japan. Much of island fighting was done by the Marine Corps. For the rest of his life he was grateful for the Marines who fought and died to free him from captivity and certain death. He had impressed upon me a deep respect for the Marine Corps. At an early age I wanted to be a Marine. It was great honor for me to become a Marine in 1977. My father was very proud of me. Unfortunately he is not with us anymore. He’s in my thoughts and prayers always. I’m proud of him and my service in the Marine Corps.