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The Marine Corps in all its tradition, lore and history hold those that have laid claim to the title of Marine and participated in battles that have reflected upon the greatness of the United States Marine Corps with a certain level of respect and awe. Ralph H. Boelk is one of the few men who can say that he was on Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Guam, Iwo Jima and the Chosin Reservoir. Every single one of those scenes holds a special place in the hearts of Marines.Those were hard places to be. They were uncomfortably hot, uncomfortably cold and people were usually trying to kill him. It was, by all means, a hard life. That doesn't mean it wasn't a good life. Being challenged is a good thing. Sometimes we view the challenge as too much. We're sure that the task of surviving all of those engagements seems like too much in retrospect. Battles that claimed the lives of many accomplished warriors. Yet, Ralph made it through. He endured. He held the line and kept the faith of his brothers in arms, never giving up.A hard life was led by Ralph H Boelk. It was also a good life, filled with family and his own business. Not much is known about him outside of those who knew him and those local to Mendota, Illinois, but we think, this is how he liked it. He lived his life simply and was kind to those he came into contact with (with the exception of a few people during the two wars he fought in).
As we live our lives, we are so preoccupied with the hustle and bustle, being recognized...Ralph didn't need all of that. He was content to spend time with his family, spend time with Marines, fish and play cards, even a little gardening was thrown in there.Folks, live a hard life, a hard life that is a good life, like Ralph H. Boelk. Semper Fidelis Marine.Read more stories of American Grit here:
