03/27/2024
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By Erin Smith

For many Veterans in Bladen County and across the United States, Veterans Day is time to pause and remember those with whom they served and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

For John B. Guions, who is the Commander of the American Legion Post 404 in Elizabethtown, Veterans Day is a time to pause and remember those who served along side of him. He served 21 years in the United States Marine Corps.

Guions said during his military career he served 13 months in Vietnam as a Supply Clerk with the United States Marine Corps.

“It was very dangerous,” said Guions.

He said while his job had him working on the military base, it still was not completely safe.

“We were overrun, sometimes.” said Guions. “You did not know when the people from the village came to visit if they were friendly or Viet Cong.”

He said while serving in Vietnam one had to always be vigilant and to be prepared for anything. Guions said often units would go out on a mission and some of the men would not come back.

While in Vietnam, Guions said he issued parts and supplies. He said he was tasked with making sure there were plenty of parts on hand.

“If you lost five parts on a mission, you had to replace them. When I gave out parts, I had to reorder them to be sure there was always enough on hand,” said Guions.

Guions said when he returned home from Vietnam, he was a changed person. Even today, Guions said he does not like for someone to walk up behind him unannounced. He still remains vigilant.

He added that not all of his time spent in the Marine Corps was spent at war. Guions said he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1960. At the time, he wanted to attend college but his family did not have the funds to pay for college. Guions said he decided to enlist first in the Army.

He went to the Army recruiter and found out he had to go home and get more paperwork. Guions said he passed the Marine corp recruiting station on the way back home and decided to stop. He said he took a test for the Marine Corps and they accepted his enlistment.

Over the years, Guions said he traveled for training purposes to such places as Turkey and the Caribbean. He also spent time stationed at Cherry Point.

Guions said he enjoyed his time spent serving his country.

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