MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO -- He was just 17 and needed his mother’s permission when he first enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, serving on both Okinawa and Iwo Jima before retiring as a master gunnery sergeant in 1962.
John H. Deters’ many years of service and tireless devotion to this country at one of the most critical junctures in American history is what compelled a group of dress blue-clad Marines to put aside previous weekend plans and join the ailing World War II veteran and his family in celebrating his 88th birthday at a Fredericksburg nursing home on Aug. 2.
Deters’s face lit up at the sight of the sharply attired young Marines coming to pay him tribute.
“I feel like I’m back in the Marine Corps again,” he joked.
Family members said it was the best day the wheelchair-bound Deters had enjoyed in a while. Like many members of what has often been called “The Greatest Generation,” Deters has endured his share of serious health problems because of advanced age. The country is losing its World War II veterans by more than 1,000 per day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Surrounded by his family, Deters engaged the young Marines and dutifully sang along with their rendition of the Marine Hymn. He welcomed an array of birthday gifts that included a new Marine dress white cover, a Marine flag and a towel that read, “Freedom is not free.”
“Once a Marine, always a Marine,” said one of his three children, Michelle Rynders of Fredericksburg.
Deters eventually retired in Fredericksburg, where he remained close to his beloved Marine Corps Base Quantico. Not only was he stationed at the base three times, but both of his daughters were also born at Quantico. His late wife was laid to rest at Quantico National Cemetery a few years ago and Deters plans to join her there when the time comes.
The young Marines thanked Deters for his service.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to show appreciation for those Marines who paved the way for young Marines like myself,” said Sgt. Jarvis L. White, H & S Battalion, Base Food Service. “I’m looking at history right now.”
Deters’ story struck a more personal chord for Cpl. Stephen Dillon, an aide to Col. David W. Maxwell, commander, MCB Quantico. Dillon’s grandfather was a World War II Army medic who was killed in North Africa, giving him an even greater appreciation for all that Deters and others endured in the fight to keep the world free.
As a token of his abiding respect and gratitude, Dillon removed his own Expert Marksmanship badge and presented it to Deters. Dillon hugged the aging veteran and promised that he would return to visit with him again.
“Your generation, to me, was one of the greatest generations,” Dillon said as he handed Deters the medal. “It really was.”
The touching gesture moved everybody in the room.
“I’ll be here,” Deters told the young Marine as he prepared to leave. “I may not be in uniform, but I’ll be here.”