Article By Todd Abbott
It is often said that Marines never leave their dead on the battlefield. It is a part of the mental fitness instilled in a Marine when he joins the Corp. That is honor-courage and commitment. Once a Marine has joined the brotherhood of Marines it is a lifetime credo that a Marine will always live by. This is true of a Marine just graduating from boot camp to the oldest Marine who has long since retired his uniform.
Very recently a 48 year old Marine, Mike Cross, of Rural Hall NC, lay dying in a hospice in the north western regions of North Carolina. His father, being a retired Naval Chaplain wanted so very much to see his son buried with military honors. A call was made from him to the state Marine Corps League Commandant, Dennis Brockland. This call began a chain of requests that culminated in a powerful tribute to a man, his father and his family and a reminder to all Marines that we take care of our own.
The request to the state commandant was that of a uniform. The reply to the father was that it would be taken care of. The state commandant then called his detachment commandant who called his adjutant because every Marine knows that corporals run the Marine Corps. The adjutant replied that he would take care of the detail. A call was then made to his life long friend David Haunty, of Butler PA who in turn called his friend Sgt Major Sam Zurrolo also of Butler PA. It was Sgt Major Zurrolo who procured the uniform, had it dry cleaned and delivered it to Dave Haunty on his job site. He refused to accept payment for the dry cleaning. The adjutant made the drive to PA and on his ride up that Marine passed on but the uniform was delivered timely to the funeral home.
On a warm sunny North Carolina morning the Marine was laid to rest. There was a six man honor guard of Marines in dress blues to carry the casket, a three man firing detail and a contingent of Marine Corps League members present along with the Marines friends and family to honor him.
It can be said of a Marine that " A Marine may leave the Corps, but the Corps will never leave the Marine."