Page 38 - 4-22-17 RP FINAL Flipbook pdf

RANDY PERDUE

After I joined the Marine Corps, it didn’t take
very long to recognize that I had very little in
common with my former social networks. It
was abundantly clear to me that my friends back
home felt a bit uneasy around me. When I

would attempt any repartee or normal
conversation, I’d get that stare which clearly
meant to me, ‘you’ve changed, and you make
me feel uncomfortable.’ After spending twenty
years on active duty, it became extremely
obvious that I had changed considerably.

Friday, August 8, 1997, I was standing on a
parade field as a Marine Corps marching band
and a battalion of Marines were marching in
front of me to bid me farewell for my
retirement ceremony — the ceremonial ‘Pass in
Review.’ The drum major spun his staff, then

rendered a hand salute. I distinctly recall his
white glove and precise, slow rendering of his
salute. As tears streamed down my face while
returning the salute, I quickly became aware
that I was leaving what I believed to be the most
elite military organization on the planet. Most
importantly, I knew that in those columns of

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