Marine Robert Thomas, of Cambridge, shared memories with recruiters at Salisbury

One of these storytellers is Robert Thomas. Recently, the 73-year-old Salisbury native came by the recruiting office with his dress blues jacket from when he served many years ago. He was not there to show them off, but he had a favor to ask of the Marines. It was a favor that turned out to be a story 50 years in the making.

Thomas was born and raised in the rural farmlands of Cambridge, Md. While he was a senior in high school, he decided to join the Marines, much to the chagrin of his mother.

“I knew at the time when I graduated I did not want anything to do with college,” said Thomas. “I was not ready for it and would probably have been a disaster if I had gone to college.”