Members of one of the world's most elite teams of warriors gathered in Scranton on Saturday to celebrating the Marine Corps' 237th anniversary.
Marines who fought in conflicts ranging from World War II to the recent war in Iraq joined to recognize the service that brought them together. Like other places throughout the nation, the Northeastern Detachment Marine Corps League and Museum hosted a birthday gathering, which included a formal ceremony that mentioned the history of the military organization.
They discussed bravery, valor and their reason for existing - to win the nation's battles. These men would have sacrificed their lives to protect the nation. Some of them came close.
Jason Zearfoss, 29, of Tobyhanna, served eight years in the Marines, including three tours of duty in Iraq. During his second tour, he was shot in the head on his birthday by a sniper. Doctors called it a one-in-a-million shot because he lived. The bullet pierced his right cheek, broke his jaw and exited the back of his neck. After taking six months to recover, Mr. Zearfoss returned to Iraq to fight.
"I did it for everybody here to be free," the Purple Heart recipient said, taking a break from visiting with other Marines and his fiancée. "I'd go back and do it all over again."
Sitting a few feet away, George Guida, 90, of Mount Pocono, talked about the transformation he experienced after enlisting in the Marines on Aug. 2, 1940, to fight in World War II.
"I went from a country boy to a warrior," Mr. Guida said.
After receiving a Purple Heart for being wounded in Okinawa, he returned home but never forget lessons he learned. "The Marine Corps taught me to be a gentleman," he said.
Joel Sofranko, commandant of the local detachment, said he always considered himself a faithful person, but the Marine Corps reinforced his faithfulness to his parents, children, religion and country. He also said joining the military introduced him to a new family of special people.
"I'm proud of all of my Marines," said Mr. Sofranko, a Vietnam veteran.
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