Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C./ERR -- Lance Cpl. Calvin Frith, honor graduate, Platoon 2098, Hotel Company, 2nd RTBn., was presented a much-deserved special recognition plaque by the New York Chapter of the Montford Point Marines Association after marching across the Peatross Parade Deck Nov. 15.
Frith, 19, and a Bronx, N.Y., native, served as a cadet in the Harlem Youth Marines, an organization sponsored by MPMA, since he was 9. His visions of becoming a Marine had begun and would only get stronger with time.
A strong sense of patriotism ran in the family, since both Frith?s parents served in the military. It was only natural that the love of country would be passed along to him. His mother was the one to suggest he become involved in the cadet program. The slight push was all Frith needed to set his dream into motion.
Though neither of his parents were Marines, becoming one of the best of the best was the only option in Frith?s mind.
?Marines have a band of brotherhood that no one can break,? he said. ?Once a Marine, always a Marine. No matter where you go or if you die, you?re always a Marine.?
Serving as a cadet in the Harlem Youth Marines gave Frith the edge he needed to become his platoon?s honor graduate. The program instilled self-discipline and a sense of responsibility. It also gave Frith an early jump on aspects such as drill and Marine Corps knowledge.
?As a cadet, we do the same things as the United States Marines, except go to combat and train for combat,? he said. ?We do community events, we march in parades and we practice for graduation. One of the best experiences was marching in [President] Bill Clinton?s 1993 inaugural parade.?
Frith?s success was inevitable, according to New York Chapter MPMA president and HYM senior advisor, Joseph Davis, who watched him mature into young adulthood as he served in the organization.
?Calvin is the type of person that possessed Marine qualities before he even stepped foot onto Parris Island,? said Davis. ?I had no doubts about him achieving his goal of becoming a Marine. He?s a self-disciplined, respectful and motivated individual. He would have succeeded no matter which career path he would have chosen.?
Davis and his associates try to make the trip to the Depot at least once a year, as other cadets graduate from recruit training. Successfully completing recruit training is a feat the association feels deserves special attention. Like in the case of Frith, MPMA wants to show all cadets its appreciation for their dedication.
?The plaque recognizes all that he?s given to our organization,? said Davis. ?We want to ensure that each cadet?s achievements and hard work do not go unnoticed.?
Although Davis did not actually train at Montford Point, most of his associates did, including Kenneth Callender who accompanied him to Frith?s graduation.
?It?s a very proud day when we see our youth come all this way to earn the title Marine,? said Callender. ?It makes all the time we put into mentoring them worth while.?
Frith?s family was not present at his graduation. His father is deceased and his mother was sick, much to his dismay. Luckily, some of his fellow cadets were on hand to help congratulate their new Marine.
?I am very happy for him,? said Donald Flowers, who plans to go to Officer Candidate School. ?He?s more than just a fellow candidate to me. We grew up together in the same church. So, watching him graduate is a real treat.?
Frith hopes to eventually get assigned to presidential security once he?s eligible. For now, he feels nothing could top graduation.
?I feel like I?m on top of the world,? he said. ?Nobody or nothing can bring me down from this high.?