Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Justin Boling | Arthur Foster, volunteer director of the Tri-Command Retired Activities Office,...... read more read more
Subscribe
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- The Marine Corps depends on new Marines to carry the torch, keeping the spirit and fight going. The urge to pick up and run with the flame in the name of the Corps does not fade after a Marine is no longer on active duty.
Many retired veterans still work toward making the Corps better in some way. Arthur Foster, the volunteer director of the Tri-Command Retired Activities Office, manages many veteran affairs and also volunteers in other programs to improve the Corps.
“I believe, myself and veterans have an important duty to the younger generation of Marines and that is to keep the ball of tradition rolling smoothly,” Foster said.
Besides retaining tradition, some retired Marines work to preserve the military installations in the Beaufort community. Since 2003, the Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee, has been working to ensure that all three Tri-Command installations remain here in full capacity. Many of the MAC members are veterans and the retiree council also has representation at the meetings.
The Beaufort Military Retiree Council, which represents approximately 10,000 retirees, sprinkled throughout four counties of the Lowcountry, according to Steve Illis, the president of the BMRC. The council is designed to serve in many capacities to aid in the lives of active duty service members and their families.
According to Foster, many retired veterans still aid their Corps in away that active duty members cannot. In the politically charged world of today many retired Marines aid in the legislative processes, including the issue of the new Joint Strike Fighter and also in organizing events like raising money for the wounded warriors to travel to the Air Station to compete in Lt. Dan Independence Ride and 5K Run, Oct 1 and 2.
Beside the tangible benefits retired Marines also aid in continuing tradition and keeping an eye on their fellow active-duty Marines.
“The Marine Corps is a culture you need fresh new people to continue its growth, you also need the veterans, people who can give guidance on how to do so,” Foster said.
Despite aging, the experience that accompanies years lived within the Corps, retirees use their strength and understanding to keep the culture of the Marine Corps alive and rich with tradition.
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.29.2010 13:51 |
| Story ID: | 53641 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 65 |
This work, Retired Marines look out for Corps forever, by GySgt Justin Boling, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT