The Marines of Lisbon, Iowa USA

I went to Sutliff, a bar and restaurant on the Cedar River about six miles south of Lisbon, Iowa on Thursday night, November 9. Sutliff has a Lisbon address and in the school district. I had seen a post on Facebook that there would be a ceremony for Marines in the area. I had seen pictures of this event last year and it really had my attention. The next day would mark the 248th Anniversary of the Marine Corp and this was their way of showing respect and celebrating.

I wanted to take in the tradition of the ceremony and to do a write up of the Marines from my hometown of Lisbon, Iowa USA.

A little bit about my hometown. Lisbon is a small farming community located in east central Iowa about 25 miles from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Some of the greatest farmland in the entire world can be found in the 52253 zip code. 

Our calling card in Lisbon is wrestling. That is what we are known for. Over the last fifty years Lisbon has won state titles to the point that we are known not only in Iowa but across the country for the wrestlers that grew up in Lisbon.

The foundation of being a tough hard working blue collar community that excels in wrestling is the background of so many Lisbon graduates joining the military especially the United State Marine Corp.

Everyone that I speak of in the write up is from Lisbon and most are now raising their family in Lisbon.

Two of my twenty-nine classmates in the Class of 1985 from Lisbon had gone on to become Marines. Rad Alger and Richard Alger. Sutliff is owned by Tyler Light who also served in the Corps. A United States and Marine flag are proudly on display at the front of Sutilff.

As I made my way around the room to meet everyone to get their information listed below, I was familiar with every name. I had at least heard of all of these Lisbon Marines. Lisbon is a small town of about 1,900. Either from the local newspaper, sports, or hearing something about them being in the Corps, I had heard of them. There were several Lisbon Marines that I had grown up with their dad and/or mom in Lisbon. That adds to the pride I have in writing this blog.

Trey Sedenka did a real good job as the lead speaker of the ceremony. Trey has served as a pilot on five continents. There was a strong sense of family throughout the ceremony. Wives and children on the Lisbon Marines were at the ceremony. Trey talked about the commitment of the entire family when serving in the Marine Corp.

The first order of business was a speech for the POW/MIA table. Cody Wallace, a fourteen-year Marine who is currently stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a Gunnery Sergeant, read a powerful tribute to the POW/MIA. Hats came off and it was a powerful moment for me. 

A table was set up and decorated with an empty chair propped up to signify that someone was missing. This part had the biggest effect on me. My uncle Don Supple had served in the United States Army in Viet Nam and was MIA for weeks. Eventually my family was notified that he was in a military hospital in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The POW/MIA flag always catches my attention out of respect when I see it.

There was a cake decorated with the Marine Corp logo. It is tradition that the youngest and oldest Marine eat the first piece of cake. A Marine sword was used to cut the cake. Everything about this ceremony was deep in tradition. I definitely liked that respect to tradition.

I have had uncles, great uncles, great-great uncles and cousins on both sides of my family serve in the military in the Army and Navy. They fought in World War I, World War II, Korea, Viet Nam and the Middle East and to protect our country stateside. I care a great deal about our military and country. Now more than any time in my life.

A recap of the Marines of Lisbon, Iowa, USA

1. Raised in Lisbon, Iowa, and graduated from Lisbon High School. 
2. Influenced by their family, school, and community. Lisbon is Wrestling and Rednecks. Tough hard working people. No nonsense. I will say again – tough.
3. Joined the Marine Corp going through Basic Training at legendary Camp Pendleton in California to serve our great country.
4. Fought in wars around the world to represent the Stars and Stripes of our great country and protected us stateside.
5. Returned home to raise a family in Lisbon where they grew up. Their children are in the school system and being influenced and influencing the Lisbon community. We have business owners, a farmer, laborers. Salt of the Earth type of people that you’re proud to say are in your hometown.

Folks, that is about as American as it gets.

Between Wrestling, Rednecks, and United States Marines, my hometown of Lisbon, Iowa USA is safe.

This is certainly not all of the Marines from Lisbon but those that were at Sutliff that night. I also added Richard to the end of the list because he is my lifelong friend.

What a crowd to be a part of and to take in the tradition and honor of the United States Marine Corp.

I present to you the Marines of Lisbon, Iowa USA: