MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — -- Many families have a tradition of military service. It’s a tradition that is sometimes passed from father to son, but sometimes all members are a part of the tradition.
Maj. Glenn Gerichten, former director of the Supply Management Division, Business and Logistics Support Department, Marine Corps base, retired after 25 years of faithful service here Jan. 26.
“Even though we knew he would be second to none we never thought we would be so proud to say ‘that is our son,’” said Gerichten’s father.
Gerichten, his father William S. Gerichten, his mother Joan E. gerichten and his brother William S. Gerichten II have served a combined 98 years in the Marine Corps.
Gerichten’s father had been the first of the family to join the Marine Corps. He had even tried to change his birth certificate to get into the Marine Corps a year early. Gerichten’s mother served nine years active duty in the Marine Corps and was on the All Marine Corps Softball Team. After leaving active duty she spent 11 years in the reserves before retiring.
Gerichten was inspired to be a Marine by his father who served in the Korean War and fought in the Chosin Reservoir and served 27 years in the Marine Corps and his mother who retired as a staff sergeant from the reserve after 20 years of service.
“I saw the hard work of my father and mother and dreamed of becoming a Marine,” said Gerichten. “I feel blessed that I have been able to live out my dream.”
Gerichten’s father, mother and brother were present at his retirement ceremony.
“I’m very proud of all the things he has accomplished,” said Gerichten’s father.
During his retirement ceremony Gerichten said that he only had two regrets. One was that he was not able to serve 27 years to make it a combined 100 years of service and the other is he was not able to reach the rank of lieutenant colonel. But, despite not serving two more years, he is not the last hope for making it a combined 100 years. His nephew William B. Gerichten will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in May of this year.
Even though Gerichten was sad to leave active duty he said he would always think about the amazing people that he had served with.
“I will always cherish the Marines and what we have accomplished in my memories,” said Gerichten.