'Once a Marine, always a Marine': Retired Maj. Fred Ballek, 100, served in the Marine Corps during three wars

ALAMOGORDO — Inside his daughter's house, Fred Ballek held a small warhorse statue given to him by his high school classmates.

A card that came with it read, "His taste toward arms and horses means he'll be Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines," a reference to a Marine Corps cavalry unit that served in China during the early 20th century.

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