Fond memories of Marine John Culver

I am sure everyone has their story about U.S. Sen. John Culver.

Mine goes back to circa 1957, when we both were Marines at Camp Pendleton in California.

We were at Mole Pier in San Diego, waiting to board ships, and he was officer of the day and I was corporal of the guard.

We had a pallet of 'C” rations on the dock waiting to be loaded on board.

It was well past midnight and the sentry called me and said that a sailor took a case of 'C” rations aboard the ship.

I summoned the senator, we went to the pier and he told me to wait at the bottom of the gangplank while he went aboard. I was to come and get him if he didn't come out.

The ship was dark, but soon I saw the senator come down the gangplank with the case of 'C” rations. As others have commented, he was a big man and not to be messed with.

I saw him once again at his book signings in Cedar Rapids, where he autographed my book simply 'from one Marine to another.”

Rest in peace, Marine.

Master Sgt. Monte L. Railsback

USMC (retired)

Shellsburg