I entered the United States Marine Corps on March 16, 1966, four days after turning 20 years old. I had been volunteered by my friends and neighbors to participate in the "Selective Service".  The only thing was, I was SELECTED to become an Army Soldier.  My dad and I left Yemassee, S.C. at 6:00 AM headed for the Selective Service office in Hampton, S.C. where I caught the Greyhound Bus to Columbia, S.C.  

Later that day, a big, black First Sergeant said to me, "Worden, we're puttin' you into the Marine Corps!  Any Objections?"  Believing I was not in a position to post an object, I replied, "No Sir!"  

Thank God and the Commandant I became a Marine.

By 10:00 PM that night, I was sitting back on a Greyhound Bus, parked in front of Jack Fitts Texaco Station on Highway 17 once again right back in  Yemassee, one block from my parent's home.  

I dared not get off the bus to tell them where I was or where I was headed.  You must realize this was long before cell phones were prevalent and commonplace.

I was on Parris Island for two weeks before my parents heard where I was.  I think the REA truck arrived with my overnight bag before the United States Post Office delivered my letter.  Yemassee is only 32 miles from Parris Island.

This web site contians the photos displayed in the album I received upon graduating form Marine Corps Boot Camp on Parris Island, SC. 

I welcome any suggestions you might have for this site.

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