Meet Our Donors

David C. Graham

David Graham's father (left) enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943 and was in the second wave of Marines that landed on Iwo Jima. David tried to enlist. But, growing up around loud farm equipment and hunting severely damaged his hearing, so he failed the hearing test four times. Despite this, David still admired the Corps. He took his father to Parris Island for friends' graduations and an opportunity for his father to proudly recall his time in the Corps. Says David, "to the Marines in our community, including the present- day Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan Marines, the Iwo vet was the 'big battle' hero, so my father was highly respected. He wanted me to follow him into the Corps, but it wasn't meant to be." When David planned his estate, he included a gift to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. He says, "I am proud to carry on the heritage of the Marine Corps. My gift will be my legacy and honor my father's service."