Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Hi Greg

I was stationed at Camp Lejeune in May of 1954 after returning from Korea. My duty was at the Guard battalion, which included guard duty, occasional MP, which I didn't like, and Field Music, which I did like.

I was on duty when the Hurricane hit in the morning and said to the Sgt of the guard "we can't put the flag up in this weather". The sgt called the O.D.(officer of the day) and the O.D. called the Provost Marshall and the Provost Marshall called the Commanding General (Chesty Puller) and he said, in no uncertain terms"Old Glory Always Flys To The Heavens".

We were assembled in formation like always as we were a few blocks from the flag pole in front of the Adminstration Bldg where Chesty had his office that overlooked the Flag Pole. We couldn't march in formation as the wind lifted us off of our feet, It was wild. When we reached the Flag Pole it was nearly bending in half and the Palmettos were more than swaying in the breeze.

We knew Chesty was watching us from his window and if the Flag got away from us, we would be History.I had my watch on and was the official timer as everything was done to the minute or second. I couldn't play the bugle as the wind pulled it from my lips, so I just hummed morning colors.

I thought the wind would rip it from the lainards as the flag ascended to the Heavens on that memorable day. We later lowered the flag that evening under milder conditions. Also, a bit of trivia, their is only one flag that can fly above Old Glory. What is that flag. This won't win any Purlitzers, but, it did happen.