While living in Elmina, Ghana, on the coast of Africa, Eric Burckson found his dream in the pages of a magazine.
“I remember my pops bringing home a Newsweek Magazine in 1991,” Burckson said. “There was a big, huge, colorful article about the Marines in Operation Desert Storm. I saw it and that’s what I wanted to be.”
Now, 18 years later and at 30 years old, Burckson is finishing week nine of recruit training in pursuit of that dream.
In 2005, Burckson, of Platoon 2037, Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, came to America, bringing his ambition to stand among the ranks of the few and the proud with him.
“When I first got here, I was working as a physical trainer, because I had to wait to get my legal status sorted out before I could join,” Burckson recalled.
Before Burckson came to America, he said he remembers the Marines coming to his country from ships.
“When the Marines came to shore for a training exercise, they didn’t just carry guns, they brought food,” Burckson said. “Kids used to flock to them. The whole country felt honored to play host to them, because out of all the countries in Africa, they chose ours.”
While he lived in Ghana, he said his life was just like an average teenager’s. He went to school and held a part-time job.
However, the tribe he was part of, the Fante tribe, was one that took part in many spiritual ceremonies and festivals.
“Where I come from, we hold a big festival in honor of the gods,” Burckson said. “It’s called Edina Afashe, where there’s a parade of all the chiefs. It’s very colorful, loud and there’s a lot of drumming and dancing.”
Burckson said the people of his tribe take pride in its history and traditions, just like the Marine Corps.
“There’s a lot of honor in my tribe,” he said. “We have a warrior background, just like the Marine Corps, and that’s something we’re very proud of.”
He said the culture of the Marine Corps and the culture of his tribe are very similar.
“Marines are like a family,” Burckson said. “Every time you go out, you have to do it in a presentable manner, because you don’t want to bring shame to your family.” He said acting professional is something that is important to his family and his tribe.
“My family is very proud and excited about me becoming a Marine,” Burckson said. Being a Marine is part of my American dream and the reason I came to this land.”
“I didn’t come here to have a big house and a Mercedes, I just wanted the opportunity to be what I want to be,” he added.
His senior drill instructor, Sgt. Courtney Hunt, said he lets his intentions of coming to America known.
“He told me he wanted to come to recruit training to prove to America that he didn’t just come here because it’s the land of opportunity, he wanted to be part of and serve this country,” said Hunt, of Lumberton, N.C. “I see the determination he has to complete his 13 weeks here.”
Sowatboung Ros, his girlfriend of four years, said he has always had the drive to complete whatever he sets his mind to.
“He’s wanted to do this for a really long time,” said Ros, of Cambodia. “He always talked about how he wanted to join the Marines. You could tell it was something he really loved. He wants to do it for his country.”