The guest of honor, retired 1st Lt. Joseph R. Owen,

The guest of honor, retired 1st Lt. Joseph R. Owen, delivers his comments during the 235th Marine Corps birthday celebration in Pala, Calif., Nov. 19. Owen is the author of the book, "Colder than hell: A Marine Rifle Company at Chosin Reservoir." Owen was a platoon commander for 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. He is a 1948 graduate of Colgate University. He served on active duty in the Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946 and from 1948 to 1952. Owen considered it a great honor and a privilege to be the guest of honor. "There are a couple of things in my life in which I take great pride," Owen said. "One is that I am a United States Marine. I share with you valor, pride and tradition that makes us the finest ever seen. The other proud factor of my life is that I'm 86 years old, and I'm damn proud that I lasted this long." Owen shared his story that took him back 60 years ago when 1st Marine Division moved into the wild mountain country of the Chosin Reservoir with steep mountains and legendary cold.