“I’d Follow You Anywhere”: The Marines of Mike Company Reunite for One Last Time

Always Faithful: The Enduring Bond of a Marine and His Men

A Legacy of Leadership and Loyalty
In the quiet streets of Colonial Williamsburg, retired Marine Lt. Gen. Paul K. Van Riper, 87, tends his garden and reflects on a life built on duty, honor, and brotherhood. A decorated Vietnam veteran who earned two Silver Stars, Van Riper is revered not only for his battlefield courage but also for the unwavering loyalty he inspires. His leadership of Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines in 1968–69 forged a bond that has lasted more than half a century.

The Brotherhood of Mike Company
This Veterans Day, the surviving Marines of Mike Company will gather in Philadelphia for one final reunion to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday—and the man they still call “Skipper.” Many walk with canes or wheelchairs, but their devotion to each other remains unshaken. “I’ll still follow you anywhere—I’m just a lot slower,” one Marine joked. Through decades of reunions, these men have found healing, laughter, and strength in their shared history.

A Testament to Faith and Purpose
Van Riper’s story—and those of the men who served under him—embodies the Marine Corps motto: Semper Fidelis, “Always Faithful.” Their journey from the jungles of Vietnam to the peace of old age reminds Americans of the enduring values of courage, integrity, and fellowship. “For Rip,” said longtime friend Gen. Anthony Zinni, “being a Marine was never just a job—it was a calling.”