Commemorating Valor
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| Marine Corps League members and others observe Iwo Jima Day |
One of the earmarks of the Marine Corps is a commitment to
acknowledging the history that has led to the ethos of today’s Marine
Corps. From Tun Tavern to Chapultepec to
Belleau Woods, Marines are schooled in the events that have shaped today’s
Corps. In modern times, no battle more
defines the Marine Corps than Iwo Jima, where amphibious forces engaged and
defeated a deeply entrenched and committed enemy to seize a small island with
huge strategic value.
As years have gone by, the State of Massachusetts has
continued to recognize the valor of the troops that took Iwo Jima. By law, the governor of Massachusetts is
obliged to acknowledge the sacrifice of those troops by declaring a day of
observation. The law reads:
“Section 12AA. The governor shall annually issue a
proclamation calling for the observance of February nineteenth as Iwo Jima Day,
commemorating the extreme heroism and courage of the men and women of the armed
forces of the United States who participated in the successful assault of the
island of Iwo Jima where “extraordinary valor was common virtue”, and
recommending that said day be observed in appropriate manner by the public.”
The mandate to issue a proclamation does not always
necessarily translate into formal observation.
While Massachusetts has taken steps to remember the valor of the troops
who took Iwo Jima, it had grown lax in recognizing this battle beyond the
formal proclamation.
John McGillivray is a Marine who has not forgotten his
roots. Forty six years after his brother
and he enlisted together, John continues to be active in representing the
Marine Corps through a high level of activity in the Marine Corps League and his employment as a Veterans Services Officer. Recalling Parris Island
memories of times when he was tasked with performing punishment for his
brother’s transgressions, John acknowledges that the Corps played a role in
making him the man he is today.
Designated by DI’s as “fat brother” and “skinny brother”, the
McGillivray brothers completed training and served in the Corps proudly. After separation, John went on to pursue
employment as a Veterans Services Officer, first in Natick, and later in
Newton.
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| John MGillivray addresses attendees at a veterans event. |
During his tenure in this role, John was instrumental in
banding together a group of Marines in the western suburbs of Boston into what
is now the Marine Corps League Metro-West Detachment #1037. Chartered on January 22, 2000, this was the
first detachment of the new century.
Shortly after the chartering of the new detachment, John was engaged in
conversation with another Marine when the topic of Iwo Jima day was
raised. While the law called for a
proclamation by the Governor, the practice of formal observation had fallen by
the wayside. The Massachusetts State Representative
who had been the prime mover behind the observation had passed away. With his passing, no one had taken up the
mission of preserving Iwo Jima Day.
On February 19, 2000, with John McGillivray heading up the effort, the Marine Corps League took a lead
role in organizing and executing the observance of Iwo Jima at the State house
in the Hall of Flags. This was a successful
and dignified event. Having renewed
contact with State House personnel and
elected officials, McGillivray took
advantage of the opportunity to arrange a procession of Iwo Jima Veterans into
the ceremonies. A casual contact with
another Marine led to the inclusion of the State Police Bag Pipe Band in the
procession. This band continues to be
involved in annual Iwo Jima Day observations.
As time progressed, with the cooperation of the State House
Police and the Beacon Hill Residents Association, a parade up to the State House was
added. This added visibility caused
observers to ask questions and increased interest in the event. Marines from Marine Corps League Detachments
across the state were in attendance.
Those who are able to arrive in uniform were assembled in the first
ranks, followed by those who were in partial or no uniform. The parade has grown to include Young
Marines, Junior ROTC groups, other veterans groups and police and fire
departments. In 2000, thirty Iwo Jima
Veterans attended. In 2014 there were
twelve, as aging and infirmity has taken its toll.
The established order of business for this observation is
well practiced. The parade is the first
event, followed by the procession of veterans into the hall, led by the bag
pipe band. A prayer is conducted with a
firing detail immediately subsequent.
The playing of Taps concludes the introductory portion.
In the Hall of Flags, presentations begin with a speech by a
senior Marine Corps Officer. The speaker
transitions into a presentation of commemorative coins to the Iwo Jima
Veterans. A series of awards is
presented, including the Semper Fidelis Public Service Award to a deserving
public official. The Gung Ho Community
Service Award is presented to individuals who have been deemed to exhibit
Marine Corps virtues in their activities.
The ceremonies conclude with a collation at a nearby lounge.
Marines have a reputation for being well versed in their
history. A large part of boot camp is
committed to review of history and the significant events in the Corp’s past. Over the 15 years that John McGillivary and
the Marine Corps League have been involved, the events in observation of Iwo
Jima Day have continued to grow. In
2015, the 70th anniversary of this epic battle will occur. John’s hope is that the observation will be
well publicized and attended with a strong general public and Marine Corps
League presence. As he recalls the
Marines who took that island are our “spiritual forefathers” and it is
incumbent on us to insure that their valor is remembered. Marine Corps League members across the state
join John McGillivray in honoring our brothers and sisters who served in that
time of great peril.
Massachusetts Marine Corps League Marines of the Year
Each year, Marine Corps League Detachments select a member to be Marine of the Year. In this space, we will recognize those Marines who have been chosen by their peers as having gone the extra mile in exemplifying the ideals of the Marine Corps.
At the age of 18 in the late 1960’s, many young men
had to make a decision. If you did not
have some type of deferment and were healthy overall, you stood a good chance
of being selected for service by the Selective Service System. Having completed high school in his native
Worcester and rated as 1-A, John Balcunas knew that he was a prime candidate
for induction into the Army. Rather than
be passively drafted, John pre-empted the draft and enlisted in Marine Corps. His father had been a Marine in WWII and
through that and other channels, he had come to view the Corps as a desirable
option.
One benefit of enlisting was the option of going
with a “guarantee” of a career field.
Having completed the curriculum at Worcester’s Boys Trade High School
with training in sheet metal work, John had already demonstrated some aptitude
for working with his hands. Once
enlisted, he did sufficiently well on testing that he was selected for
placement in the Marine Air Wing working on the hydraulics systems for F-4 and A-4 aircraft. Following boot camp at Parris Island and
advanced training at Camp Lejeune, John went on to Memphis, TN for specialized
training in aircraft hydraulics.
His first duty assignment was in El Toro, working on
RF-4 aircraft that were configured with sensors and cameras that made them a
valuable reconnaissance platform. After
a year, he was re-assigned to Iwakuni, Japan, the only Marine Corps
installation on mainland Japan.
Completing his overseas tour without disruption, John came back stateside,
finishing his active duty commitment at Yuma, Arizona.
Following his discharge in 1973, John Balcunas
returned to Worcester, with his wife, Michele whom he had known from his youth
and had married while stationed at El Toro.
Taking advantage of the GI Bill, he completed a training program in HVAC
at New England Technical Institute. With
his prior training in sheet metal work and his military training and experience
in hydraulics, John had a well-rounded skill set that served him well in local employment.
For over 30 years, he has worked in the Facilities Department at Clark
University in Worcester, most recently as the HVAC Supervisor, with oversight
of five specialists in the HVAC field.
Having lived and worked in Worcester for most of his
life, it might have been thought that Balcunas knew of the local Marine Corps
League detachment. In fact, it was about
12 years ago that he was introduced to it by his brother-in-law, Leo Rossi, a
Viet Nam veteran of the Army who lives in the neighborhood of the
detachment. Since his first visit, John
has become a mainstay of Worcester Detachment #144. Detachment Commandant Joe George passed on
some content from Balcunas’ Marine of the Year nomination that states:
“The criteria for being
considered as a candidate for this award are to show continuous leadership
qualities and unselfish contribution to “The Good of The League” not only for
the current year, but throughout a Marine’s membership to the detachment. This
year’s recipient certainly meets these criteria and is well deserving of this
award. He has served this detachment in many capacities and continues to be a
major contributor whenever needed. He is known as a “Quiet, behind the scene
guy. He has served on the Honor Guard on many occasions. He has served on the
Color Guard when he is asked. He is a man of many talents, serving on our
facilities maintenance crew. He has literally saved this detachment thousands
of dollars in HVAC and refrigeration repairs. And above all, he is one of the
most well respected Marines in the Worcester Detachment.”
Quiet, unassuming, and
unselfish all seem to be traits that can describe John Balcunas. By his own admission, he prefers to be an
individual contributor rather than in a formal leadership role. He enjoys the camaraderie of the detachment
and has been a steady presence. As he
states “I like what I do at work and I am happy to do it at the detachment when
needed.” With a range of skills acquired
through years of working in the HVAC trade, John has been called on to work on
the detachment HVAC systems, the dispensing systems in the lounge, some
electrical systems, and any other place that he can be helpful. Detachment leadership and members have
learned that often a casual conversation one day will result in John showing up
the next day with tools in hand ready to solve another problem. When the detachment building was destroyed in
a major fire a few years ago, John Balcunas’ skills were called upon in
planning and getting a new building up and operating. He continues to be a key ingredient in
maintaining the new facility. Not one
given to fanfare, John does what needs to be done without seeking attention.
In addition to freely
giving of his skills in the trades, John has been active in the detachment
honor guard. He has been the man they
can call on in a pinch to cover at the last minute. He has been also on the color guard,
participating as a rifleman. John enjoys
the fact that Worcester has an active detachment and he is happy to help out
when he can. As his spouse has recently
retired and he is nearing that stage also, John has come to value balance in
his life. While he makes a point to preserve time to enjoy his vacation home in
Marshfield and his two grandsons and daughters Stacy and Heather, he also
values his connection to the Marine Corps League.
Entering the room for
the most recent Marine Corps Ball at the Worcester Detachment, John Balcunas
had no reason to think that the evening was going to be any more than a
relaxing event, filled with tradition.
Unbeknownst to him, his Marine Corps League brethren had conspired with
Michele, to plan a special recognition as part of the festivities. John was surprised and humbled to be awarded
the detachment Marine of the Year medallion at the ball. Commandant Joe George recognizes that John is
a humble and unassuming man but was pleased to see the selection committee
recognizing the many contributions that Balcunas makes to the league through
his time and talents. We join Commandant
George in saluting John Balcunas and encourage all members to consider where
they can contribute their individual talents to the good of the league.
