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| Lead slingin' Parrot Head  |
[Note: video, picture, and hyperlinks at linked website article] This 104-year-old Marine Corps veteran is asking for Valentine’s Day cards: ‘I’ll save every one’ STOCKTON, Calif. (KTXL) — Maj. Bill White served in World War II, survived the Battle of Iwo Jima and went on to continue a long career in the U.S. Marine Corps. White keeps his proudest memories tucked away on his bookshelf and the 104-year-old veteran said he’s hoping his collection grows a little bigger this Valentine’s Day. “I spent 30 years active duty and 54 retired,” White told KTXL. Among his many medals is the one he’s most proud of — his Purple Heart. It is a badge of honor for surviving the Battle of Iwo Jima. “The fact that I even survived is something. There weren’t too many of us,” White said. On March 3, 1945, Maj. White led his Marines toward the front lines under heavy fire from Japanese soldiers. “When I was wounded, I didn’t have any choice in the matter. A grenade blow up about 6 inches from me,” he said. His injuries may have taken him off the battlefield but his fighting spirit carried on in life. “I’m still here. I'm 104. Can’t complain,” White said. The California native spends his days dining with his friends in Stockton, staying active and scrapbooking, which is one of his favorite hobbies. He keeps a lifetime full of memories carefully preserved on the bookshelves in his room, each organized by year. “It’s kept me busy just trying to locate or keep track of what's happened to me, where, when,” White explained. For Valentine’s Day, White said he wants to add to his collection with cards from people near and far. “I'll save every one of them like I've been saving little things that have come up until right now and they’ll be a personal part of my history,” he told KTXL. And it is a life story that is still being written. White said the secret is to “just keep breathing.” "I can't think of anything else. I can give you all sorts of ideas and suggestions but if you're not breathing, they don't mean anything,” he said. If you would like to send White a Valentine's Day card, you can address it to: Operation Valentine ATTN: Hold for Maj Bill White, USMC (Ret) The Oaks at Inglewood 6725 Inglewood Ave. Stockton, CA 95207 | ||
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| Lead slingin' Parrot Head |
Bump to send cards to this Marine veteran. | |||
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God will always provide |
Well I think the Major needs to be seen! I don't want to be the only one remembering the sacrifices of those of The Greatest Generation. My Dad being one. God Bless You Major and "Keep Breathing" | |||
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| Lead slingin' Parrot Head |
Fla. Jim, thanks for the video! Coming up on the deadline to get this Marine his Valentine's Day cards. | |||
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| A day late, and a dollar short  |
Excellent story, thanks for posting this. I am going to get a card in the mail to him. Semper Fidelis Major White! ____________________________ NRA Life Member, Annual Member GOA, MGO Annual Member | |||
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| Member |
He will be receiving one from Wyoming. PC | |||
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| It's all part of the adventure... |
My wife and I will send one and my granddaughter will be sending one as well. Regards From Sunny Tucson, SigFan NRA Life - IDPA - USCCA - GOA - JPFO - ACLDN - SAF - AZCDL - ASA "Faith isn't believing that God can; it's knowing that He will." (From a sign on a church in Nicholasville, Kentucky) | |||
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| Member |
Done! | |||
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| drop and give me 20 pushups |
just saw a news story on the tv..response has generated in excess of 14;000 cards for this USMC veteran...SEMPER FI .................drill sgt. | |||
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| drop and give me 20 pushups |
.... did a little search and the VALINTINE count is now over 300,000 and counting coming from all over the UNITED STATES as well from around the world..............SEMPER FI......drill sgt. | |||
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