Letter from a Marine

Mr. Neil Earle,

Thank you for your interesting presentation covering info on times I experienced. I was the first to be presented an award for serving during the Vietnam era (served first in Korea with the Marines). I had hoped to speak with you but became involved in conversation as you were leaving. We usually have a much larger turnout. Others missed a good presentation. I was celebrating my eighty-seventh birthday at our previous meeting. Bob Goble was very thoughtful in bringing me memorabilia from his trip to Grand Canyon. He knew I was there when the Indian Watch Tower was built. My grand father was the contractor and my father was the engineer.

My education and experience are varied, having grown up with construction, graduated from Occidental College, (played football in the Rose Bowl), Served in the Marine Corps until the First Marine Division returned from Korea when I joined the Reserve (staying until I retired with rank of colonel), held manufacturing jobs for a few years, was with IBM until I retired after thirty years, then taught graduate school in computer science for a couple years. Later served on Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury for a year.

I didn't want this to get boring, but did want to say a few words and to thank you for your interesting talk.

Thanks again,

Hal D. Hichborn