Spanky's Place

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Private Gibbs. I don't think I ever learned his first name (Lawrence or Warner come to mind, but I'm not sure.) I just met him and knew him as Private Gibbs, 2nd Squad, Platoon 2066, F Company, MCRD San Diego, in the summer of 1982. If I remember correctly, Gibbs was from some place in Virginia (I think Richmond).

He was every bit the caricature of a street punk. In our platoon, he was the fuck-up who couldn't do anything right. Everything he tried he screwed up. He couldn't drill, he couldn't remember his "knowledge", he couldn't even stand still. Corporal Petrovitch (I'll tell you about him some other time) and Staff Sergeant Cabot rode him like there was no tomorrow. Everybody (including myself, I admit) resented him, because when Gibbs messed up, the whole platoon got punished. And he messed up a lot.

But no matter how bad things got, he never gave up trying. Every time he screwed something up, he would just smile with those big white teeth and try again. And again. And again. He was living in his own little dreamland, and was always friendly and nice to everybody. He was like a loyal mutt dog, who was always happy and excited to see you, and just wanted to be your friend. No matter how much shit got dumped on him, he would smile, thank God, and keep on trying.

And you know what, he actually got better. By the end of third phase, he had his shit together, and was actually capable of helping, teaching, and leading others.

I didn't know it then, but he taught me a lot about self-determination, trust, friendship, God, honor, and service. Looking back, I think I'm a better person for having known him.

Gibbs was, like me, an 0311 (Rifleman). I did hear through the grapevine (but never verified) that after ITB (Infantry Training Batallion) he was assigned to 1/8 (1st Battalion, 8th Marines); which meant he would have arrived in Beirut, Lebanon sometime in August, 1983. A little history lesson here for those of you who have forgotten or are too young to remember: On 23 October, 1983, a terrorist puke drove a truck bomb into the 1/8 Headquarters, destroying the building and killing 241 Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors. Ironically, part of the 1/8's mission there was to ensure the safe evacuation of PLO personnel. I hope Gibbs made it home.

Gibbs, wherever you are, I thank you for your service. I thank you for putting your life on the line to protect others. Jesus tells us: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Thank you again. May God bless you and protect you.

Semper Fidelis,
- Devin.