Clark Williams, US Marine Corps (retired)
I was living in Canton, NC when I made the decision to join the
military. I was looking for a way to get out of Haywood County,
and at my age back then, I knew that I didn’t want to stay here.
I joined the Marines because I felt that not just anyone could
be a Marine and I needed to prove to myself that I could be,
Choosing the Marines was a decision that was made based on
how organized this branch of service was. I needed that in my
life at that time and I felt that it would be a good fit for me.
From the beginning, almost day one, I felt like these guys were
going to have my back, at all times. And they have my back to
this day, right now.
The first war I fought was Operation Iraqi Freedom. We
Invaded and occupied Iraq. I was sent to Kuwait first, and
then An Nasiriyah, Al Kut, and Bagdad in Iraq. Iraq was hot
and boring but going into the cities was oddly exciting. Not
knowing what was going to happen at any moment and trying
to figure things out while on the ground in their territory was
stimulating. But I knew we were there to do a job, and I was
focused on that. I was the Company 1st Sgt., accountable and
administratively responsible for 1285 Marines, Sailors, & civilian
news reporters. I witnessed a lot of combat on this tour and
although my Company ended up with 42 combat wounded
soldiers, we did not have any casualties.
I will never forget the first time I saw a dead American. His
boots and uniform that been stripped off his body and stolen
and the truck he had been driving was flipped over and laying
on half of his body. I have powerful memories like this, but
the one’s that stand out the most are the ones of my young
Marines showing fearlessness and valor and courage.
So powerful!
During my time as a Marine, I was also able to travel the world.
I have seen so much of this great country that we all call
America. I was also able to see Norway, England, Amsterdam,
Belgium, Panama, Japan, Africa, Russia Croatia, Serbia,
Balkans, Kuwait, Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and the
Mediterranean Islands.
On the day my service ended, I was at Camp Lejeune in North
Carolina. I had a retirement parade, got my ears pierced, grew
a goatee and I slept a lot. The military was my life and my
career for 23 years. I grew up being a Marine. It made me who
I am today. When I came back home to Haywood County, I
worked for the Haywood Public Transit system. I was in charge
of the maintenance, safety and training.
I made friends for life in the United States Marine Corps.
Relationships that I will have for the rest of my life. I still get
to spend time with some of the guys I served with and I keep
in touch and talk to a lot of the other guys. My time in the
military was fantastic and awesome, it just wasn’t long enough.
I truly feel that every able-bodied person should WANT to
serve this great nation. It’s a place of camaraderie. It’s a place
where everyone has your back. I wouldn’t change a thing.
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