Basile native is guest of honor at Marine Corps Ball

From the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli, we fight our country’s battles in the air on land and sea; first to fight for right and freedom and to keep our honor clean; we are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.
The above lines are the opening lines of the Marines Hymn, which was played during a Marine Corps Birthday Ball on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Klumpp Equipment on the Basile-Eunice Highway.
The guest of honor that night was Major General Ronald G. Richard, who was born Oct. 19, 1946, in Basile.
“I grew up in this area, and I have a lot of memories from childhood to adulthood in and around Basile,” said Maj. Gen. Richard. “It’s my honor to be invited here tonight to celebrate the 246th birthday of the Marine Corps.”
He continued, “I spoke at Marine Corps balls throughout the world, and I wouldn’t want to be in any other place than I am tonight right here in the country between Tepetate and Basile.”
Richard graduated from LSU in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in history. He completed The Basic School in February, 1969, and was assigned to Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines as a forward observer for 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines in Vietnam.
He later served as aide-de-camp to the CG, 3rd Marine Division, then, in July 1970, was assigned as a staff platoon commander at The Basic School.
In June, 1996, he was assigned as commanding general of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, and was promoted to lieutenant general in March 1997. He then served as deputy commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia.
His final assignment was as commanding general of Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from July 30, 1999, to his retirement in 2001.
After his retirement, he became the CEO of the Tiger Athletic Foundation, where his responsibilities included fostering lines of communication with LSU’s athletic and academic administration and developing support projects for all LSU athletic programs. He also oversaw the day-to-day operations of the organization including staff development and fundraising activities.
Maj. Gen. Richard told those in attendance to celebrate the veterans in their families and to remain vigilant “that we need to protect our freedoms.” He added, “This is how we protect our freedoms with veterans. That’s a message we should reinforce with our young people on a daily basis.”
As the major general explained, the Marine Corps celebrates its birthday for many reasons.
“We have a birthday cake, and some people may look at it and say that is a bit strange for a combat unit to have a birthday cake and celebrate it like kids,” he said, “but it’s not strange. We honor the men and women who have gone before us in combat and who have contracted with America to put their life on the line in the name of liberty for our great Republic.”
The major general went on to say, “We have allegiance to many of our leaders to include our commander-in-chief, to include our commanding generals, to include the American people, but, most of all, to the Constitution of this great Republic. That’s who we serve. We hope that our leaders and our generals and the American people appreciate that.”
“However,” he continued, “if they don’t appreciate that, the Marine Corps will continue to survive and protect this Republic from all enemies both foreign and domestic.”
According to Richard, the country is at a crossroads. “We need to pray for our leaders that they have wisdom to do the right thing for the American people. I’m not talking about politics here; I’m talking about the right thing for the American people. The Marine Corps uses the celebration of the birthday ball to challenge the other services and challenge our leaders to do the right thing.”
He continued, “We celebrate the Marine Corps, but, at the same time, we celebrate our country by being vigilant and speaking out. Those who are afraid to speak out because of the so-called political correctness or whatever ‘woke’ is are all but short of being cowardly people
“It’s time that we take hold of our country and our leaders and explain to them that this great Republic is like what we have here. This is America, not Washington, D.C. This country stands for what’s right and good, and our Marines Corps will ensure that continues.”
As he ended his remarks, Richard said, “I find it always important that we remember where we came from and remember what we’re all about to make sure that we stay grounded. If ever I was grounded, tonight I’m definitely grounded because right here in Basile, in Acadia Parish, I would not want to be anywhere else.
Major General Richard’s awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, and Meritorious Unit Commendation medals.
But, he said his two greatest awards are his Eagle Scout badge received from Maurice Andrepont and P.J. Baker and the commissioning of himself as a United States Marine.
At the end of the night, Tom Klumpp, owner of Klumpp Equipment, presented Richard with a tractor that belonged to his grandfather, Morris “Nonc Mick” Johnson.
Klumpp purchased the tractor from Richard’s father, Nelson, and restored it. Upon receiving the tractor, Richard told his wife, Dee, they could take it to Tiger Stadium.