John Druce’s Washington, D.C. and Quantico, Virginia trip July 2018
John Druce with Jim Singer, left, and Joe Gelarden at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Jim Singer
At the Iwo Jima Memorial. Courtesy of Jim Singer
With John’s nephews, John and Chuck Porcari. Courtesy of Jim Singer
John sharing thoughts with Senator Angus King. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The U.S. Air Force Memorial. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The U.S. Air Force Memorial Wall. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Chuck Porcari, left, with Joe, Jim and John in front of the Pacific entrance. Courtesy of Jim Singer
John meets an admirer. Courtesy of Jim Singer
John, a Pennsylvania native, sits in front of the state’s piece of the memorial. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The trio in front of the Maine portion of the memorial. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Courtesy of Jim Singer
Jim Singer points to the names of those he knew who were killed in Vietnam at the Vietnam Wall. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam Wall. Courtesy of Jim Singer
A nurse memorial at the Vietnam Memorial. Courtesy of Jim Singer
John talks with a young Marine at the Friday night event. Courtesy of Jim Singer
John talks with a young Marine at the Friday night event as Joe Gelarden listens. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Jim, John and Joe at the Friday event. Courtesy of Jim Singer
John tells some stories at the Friday event. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Silent Drill Platoon performs on Friday. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Marine Drum & Bugle Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The group arrives at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia on Saturday. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps, John stops by the Guadalcanal exhibit to reminisce about his days fighting during that part of World War II. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The weapons used in Vietnam. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam exhibit. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam exhibit. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam exhibit. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam exhibit. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam exhibit. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam exhibit. Courtesy of Jim Singer
A little bit of fun outside the Marine Corps museum. Courtesy of Jim Singer
And when you’re on a trip, you buy a shirt! Courtesy of Jim Singer
John Druce with Jim Singer, left, and Joe Gelarden at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Jim Singer
At the Iwo Jima Memorial. Courtesy of Jim Singer
With John’s nephews, John and Chuck Porcari. Courtesy of Jim Singer
John sharing thoughts with Senator Angus King. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The U.S. Air Force Memorial. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The U.S. Air Force Memorial Wall. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Chuck Porcari, left, with Joe, Jim and John in front of the Pacific entrance. Courtesy of Jim Singer
John meets an admirer. Courtesy of Jim Singer
John, a Pennsylvania native, sits in front of the state’s piece of the memorial. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The trio in front of the Maine portion of the memorial. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Courtesy of Jim Singer
Jim Singer points to the names of those he knew who were killed in Vietnam at the Vietnam Wall. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam Wall. Courtesy of Jim Singer
A nurse memorial at the Vietnam Memorial. Courtesy of Jim Singer
John talks with a young Marine at the Friday night event. Courtesy of Jim Singer
John talks with a young Marine at the Friday night event as Joe Gelarden listens. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Jim, John and Joe at the Friday event. Courtesy of Jim Singer
John tells some stories at the Friday event. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Silent Drill Platoon performs on Friday. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Marine Drum & Bugle Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The group arrives at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia on Saturday. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps, John stops by the Guadalcanal exhibit to reminisce about his days fighting during that part of World War II. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
Inside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The weapons used in Vietnam. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam exhibit. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam exhibit. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam exhibit. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam exhibit. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam exhibit. Courtesy of Jim Singer
The Vietnam exhibit. Courtesy of Jim Singer
A little bit of fun outside the Marine Corps museum. Courtesy of Jim Singer
And when you’re on a trip, you buy a shirt! Courtesy of Jim Singer
Accompanying longtime Boothbay Harbor businessman and resident John Druce on his dream trip to Washington, D.C. and Quantico, Virginia July 26-29 was both an honor and a pure joy! This 96-year-old magically reverted again to being a 22-year-old Marine Corps lieutenant in the South Pacific, circa 1943. The stories and memories flowed non-stop for three marvelous days! Joe Gelarden’s article in last week’s Register captured the essence of the trip. Here are a few additions to that story.
Our first stop was the iconic Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, the flag-raising on Iwo Jima in 1945. John was transfixed by being there, and you could see him swelling with well-earned pride. After a brief stop at the newer U.S. Air Force Memorial, Senator Angus King’s office was our destination. The senator graciously gave us nearly a half-hour of his time, and he and John clearly hit it off. It was fun watching our senior citizen imparting wisdom to the senator as if they were longtime friends!
In sweltering 90+ degree heat with high humidity the following day, John met numerous fellow tourists as we visited the beautiful World War II Memorial. Our “Old Breed” Marine was taken aback at first by all the attention he received, but soon settled in and was appreciative of the many who thanked him for his service in the Pacific. A quiet and reflective moment occurred there as he gazed silently at the wall of Gold Stars, representing the thousands of Americans who died during that global conflict.
The command sergeant major of the Marine Corps invited John and his two Vietnam-era companions to a private reception at the Marine barracks prior to the “Evening Parade” that we were to attend. This formal military tattoo is held every Friday night in the summer, and features the Marine Corps Band, the Marine Corps Drum & Bugle Corps, and the Silent Drill Platoon in a spectacular performance under the lights. Though surrounded by the most senior Marines on active duty from around the world, John most enjoyed talking with some of the junior Marines stationed there and they with him. Always modest, John seemed almost embarrassed to be recognized by Sergeant Major Green as one of the honored guests that evening.
Saturday morning saw us arrive at the spectacular National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. A 40-minute film, “We the Marines” narrated by Gene Hackman (a former Marine!) began our visit. Projected on an IMAX-sized screen, it told the story of a young civilian as he made his journey through boot camp, advanced training, an overseas combat deployment, and eventual homecoming. We were all captivated by how the Marine Corps has grown and evolved since WWII and Vietnam, and it set the stage for the highlight of John’s trip.
The next three hours were pure magic! We moved slowly as a group, exhibit by superb exhibit, through the extensive World War II Pacific Theatre collection in the Museum. John commented on each one, and the clarity of his memories about the island campaigns he participated in was astounding! To hear him recount specific events and the Marines he knew that we have only read about was an educational experience you can’t buy. It was a shame we didn’t record him! Following his trail and recollections on the wall maps through the South Pacific, with tales for each island, was humbling.
As the day progressed and we visited the Korean and Vietnam War sections, the level of curiosity he displayed and the questions he posed to us reminded me of how timeless the Marine Corps experience is --- one never stops learning. John conversed with numerous Marines throughout our trip, who served from World War II through Afghanistan, and age differences were irrelevant as the conversations transpired.
As we finished our time at the Museum, we reflected on the trip over coffee and how it brought back so many memories --- both good and bad --- that helped remind us who we are and where we’ve been. The most poignant memory I will take away was John’s discussion about a young Marine under his command on Guadalcanal who had ‘fessed up to being only 15 years old and didn’t want to be sent back to the rear or home because of his age-he loved being where he was. John was deciding what to do when the kid had a diving accident and broke his neck; a few days later he contracted pneumonia. John had visited him each day in the field hospital, and one morning the young Marine said he lied about his age-he was really only 14. The boy died the next day. John has never forgotten the spirit and character of this young man 75 years later, and I won’t either.
In summary, I’ll be forever grateful to have been able to experience this journey back in time with 1st Lieutenant John Druce, USMC.
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