For the Marines

CAPTAIN CUMMINGS, CAPTAIN MADEIRA, PRESIDENT HOPKINS, FRIENDS:

Contrary to what you might expect, I'm not going to start in by glorifying the Marine Corps—but I'll probably get that in too before I finish.

Actually, I want to say for the 45 graduating Marines the things which we all feel toward Dartmouth and the V-12 program. To combine 45 individual ideas would be rather difficult, but there are some things about which we all feel the same, and it is these things I'd like to mention.

We realize we have been among those privileged to take advantage of Dartmouth facilities and we are appreciative of that fact. It has always been the aim of this institution to turn out men who are leaders—and it is still doing that job. It would be unnecessary for me to enumerate again all the benefits which we have gained by our study here, as Apprentice Seaman Marshall has already given us a very complete picture. Suffice it to say that we too will remember these things which were mentioned. One additional thing we may remember in connection with how we acquired this academic knowledge is "The Tree." Those who spent extra week-ends at the dorm on account of it will probably remember it best of all! But with a determination and by the grace of some of our professors, we've now completed the required courses of study.

However it hasn't been all study up here at Dartmouth. Besides the intellectual and cultural knowledge which we take from Dartmouth there will also be memories of outside activities. Those aspiring to the more aesthetic things have been fortunate in being able to see and hear such artists as the Trapp Singers, the Indianapolis Symphony, the La Traviata Opera Group, Sanroma and others. Also we've been fortunate in being located in the East's finest ski country. Our trainees have participated in intercollegiate sports and have carried the Big Green banner with the same spirit as civilian participants, to keep the Dartmouth teams in the nation's headlines. Marines were well represented when the roll was called for football, basketball, hockey and track. Again in intramural athletics we have always had outstanding teams.

Then too, there will be our thoughts of the rules and regulations which we lived up to. There were many times when we mentally questioned the wisdom of some prohibitions or cumpulsions, and what we thought of our NCO's at times like that, couldn't be mentioned herebut they had a job to do—and they did it. On reflective thinking I believe we all have to admit that maybe it was for our own good after all.

Now we're about to leave for new duties. Duties which we hope will eventually lead to the goal we've been after—a commission in the Marine Corps. We know it's going to be tough and there are many obstacles in the way, but we're resolved to hurdle those obstacles just as those before us have done. Our Marine Corps training has instilled in us the spirit of determination for a continuous drive ahead. Thirty-one of us will go directly to the Officer Candidate Detachment and fourteen first to Marine indoctrination at Parris Island.

So, for the boys leaving now and also for the boys who have gone before us but never had this opportunity, I want to say to the fellows remaining here—we're handing you the records we've made, with the sincere hope and assurance that you will better them.

We are grateful to the people of Hanover for the way we've been treated. They have accepted us not only as service men, but also as Dartmouth students.

To our officers, the administrative staff, the College along with all the teachers who have helped us along in some way, we would like to leave one all-inclusive Thank You.