Photo By Sgt. Tabitha Bartley | James Wentling, retired master sergeant, shows his father, John Wentling, Honorary...... read more read more
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ROCK HILL, S.C. - The title of Honorary Marine has only been presented 93 times since the program began. The newest Marine in the Marine Corps was presented the title during a surprise ceremony at the American Legion Post 34 on Aug. 8, 2015.
John Wentling, Army veteran and Rock Hill, S.C., native, showed up to give the benediction for a ceremony he thought was for someone else. He found out after his family entered the room, that the ceremony was all for him.
“I was deceived into thinking this was a special event for someone else,” John said during a television interview. “I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it had to be big to get all my family here.”
After being sponsored by Maj. Gen. James Livingston, numerous letters of support had to be presented to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. John had no shortage of family members, Marines, congressmen and senators who wrote letters on his behalf.
Lindsey Graham, senator, South Carolina, said he was privileged to recommend John for this recognition.
“You [John], have played a vital role in the Marine Corps League’s success in Rock Hill, you have been a strong promoter of the Fallen Warrior Scholarship Program and the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The work you have done in building these programs and to building the league has had an impact not only on Rock Hill but the state of South Carolina.”
After 18 months of effort and 50 years of regret, Gen. Joseph Dunford, commandant, United States Marine Corps, signed off on John getting to claim the title of Marine.
“The Marine Corps is extremely protective of the eagle, globe and anchor,” said Capt. Connor Wentling, executive officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Station Columbia. “The Marine Corps doesn’t just give it away. It is earned, never given. It means something when you see it, you think he’s good, he’s my friend. He’s my brother, he will help me. Or you think I need to leave this room now.”
Earning it was something John did for 50 years. Everyone who spoke in his regards or about him said he was the man to go to if you needed anyone to help you with anything, from friends to veterans, to family members and siblings.
“Dad, thank you for what you did,” said Connor. “You have shown us all an example before we put on the uniform, that this is what you do. When you’re tired, you take another step. When you don’t feel like getting up you get up and you do it the next day.”
John says he doesn’t feel like he deserved everything that was being done. Doing things just because they need to be done and helping others because he has a giving heart.
“My heart was about to burst out of my chest,” said John.
“To have my son, Connor, standing in front of me, with my eagle, globe and anchor, it makes me cry. Other than my salvation in Jesus Christ, this is the biggest honor I could have ever gotten in my whole life.”
| Date Taken: | 08.08.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.13.2015 10:26 |
| Story ID: | 173038 |
| Location: | ROCK HILL, SC, US |
| Hometown: | ROCK HILL, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 254 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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