A Dedication
A Marines Tale is dedicated to Verna “Lou” Hagen, my wife, partner and love for over sixty years.
Every picture tells a story. In 1967 I was in VietNam and Lou was in Clearwater, Florida raising our four children. The Marine Corps adventure was coming to an end and a new chapter of life await me back home.
THE TRAVELS AND ADVENTURES OF:
CALVIN C. “TED” HAGEN
U. S. MARINE CORPS
My Story
“Adventure must start with running away from home.”
William Bolitho - Twelve Against the Gods: The Story of Adventure
Life is full of adventures, everyday adventures and a few great adventures. These great adventures include: finding the love of one's life; marrying and raising a family; obtaining an education and successfully practicing one’s chosen profession. Another great adventure is serving one’s country and proudly wearing the country’s uniform.
These reflections are the tidbits or snippets of what I remember of my adventures in the United States Marine Corps. I served from March 1950 until July 1970. This adventure began more than sixty years ago and much of it has been shaded by time. It is too hard, after all the years, to separate myth, fiction, fable, fantasy and fact. They have all blended together into a story, a story I believe to be true. Alas, experience has taught me that things were not always as I remember.
On the 11th of January, I turned seventeen years old and I knew what I wanted to do. I joined the United States Marine Corps that March 9th, 1950.
