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Tom Buscemi
From Tom and Nancy (Ellis) Buscemi, we are sorry to have missed the 50th Reunion but in 2012, as the Director of the Camp Pendleton Battle Simulation Center, we were still busy training Marines.
For Coaches Aaron Brown, Hal Boney, and in memory of Frazier Long, and to Jimm Scroggins, my fondest, yes, most deeply held, memory of Terry Parker are the two-a-day football practices in August. They were brutal not so much for the pain encountered but because it was the first time you had to accomplish something that difficult and not quit. I called Coach Brown about a year ago and told him the practices steeled me so much that nothing the Marine Corps nor VietNam threw at me coud deter me. Just don't quit.
A comparison, crashing a helicopter is easy. Shot down twice and tail rotor drive shaft failure at sea- it's over in an instant. But when Coach Boney said, "Son, let me show you how to block.", I knew it was coming. Having Coach Boney demonstrate, on me, how to block wasn't so bad - it was when the ground started shaking five yards before he hit you that got my attention. You had a second or two to anticipate the hit. Anyhow, my undying thanks to Aaron Brown, Hal Boney, and Frazier Long for their "instruction". It was a life lesson that saved my life.
Enough sea stories, my best decision ever was to ask Nancy Ellis to marry me. Accepting Nancy's invitation to the band banquet in 1960 was the best-ever decision I've ever made. We don't have time to hear all the trauman and drama Nancy has endured in my Marine Corps career. Lyrics from a song but, "I have loved you more dearly than the spoken word can say."
After 52 years with the Marine Corps: 66-86 active duty, 9 years defense contrator, and 18 years as director of the battle simulation center; I shall retire on 10 November 2018, the Marine Corps Birthday.
If he reads this, Herman Mayeaux, my hat will always be off to you - the infantry bore the brunt of the battle. tom
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What I remember most about graduation day was walking with Brenda Locke at graduation and I had a date with Mindy Staten that night. Of course, looking back now, I miss those days as they were carefree and fun loving. At some point we all had to grow up and earn a living, settle down and have families.
