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Dear Sgt Grit,
After my tour in Nam, and a stint at Quantico, in 1969 I was
accepted into the Marine Embassy Security Guard School at
Henderson Hall, in the DC area. The Marine I reported in to was
a captain with a rather large scar on his face.
Unfortunately I don't remember his name, but another Marine told
me that the only person "badder" than that captain was the guy
who gave him that scar. Personally, I think that person was
probably dead.
Anyway, when I went into his office to report, his first comment
was, "Marine, I want you to get rid of 10 lbs - 5 lbs of fat and
5 lbs of hair." Actually I was in pretty good shape but my
haircut wasn't high and tight.
The training was really tough but I managed to be assigned to
study Spanish at the Foreign Service Institute and then I served
at the American Embassy for almost 3 years - in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil! (Where they speak Portuguese) I love the Marine Corps!
Semper Fi
Sgt Michael Mingucci
'67 - '72
9-11
9-11 is coming up. Fly your flag. Fly your flag.
FLY YOUR FLAG!
Semper fi
God Bless America!
Sgt Grit
All You "Salts"
Sgt. Grit:
We are a proud Marine Corps family. I served from 1960 - 1966,
my brother, Dr. Larry Morrell, served from 1953 - 1956, and our
Dad, James E. Morrell, served from 1916 - 1919. Recently, my
family has put together many of the pictures that Dad took
during his WWI service. Dad was a sea-going Marine.
Enclosed are 3 pictures that I've had restored. One is his sea-
going home, the battleship USS Wyoming; the second is the Marine
detachment on the Wyoming (Dad is in the front row, seated in
the middle at an angle), and the third is a copy of Dad's
discharge certificate. Notice that the CMC signed the
certificate.
Incidentally, for all you "salts" out there, my Dad's USMC
service number was 75136. Unlike most Marines, from the eras of
my brother and I, my Dad took no stock in his service number. In
fact, as a young Marine stationed on Okinawa in the early 60s, I
wrote him asking what his service number was. He could not
remember it. It didn't matter in those days. He DID, however,
remember his Springfield .03 rifle number, and did till the day
he passed away. OOHRAH! and Semper Fi !
Dr. Lynn Morrell
USMC 1960-66
He Pursed His Lips
About 5 years ago I was in Istanbul, Turkey as a tourist. I
took a taxi from downtown to their aviation museum. The driver
didn't speak English, was quite elderly and had no teeth! On
the drive back to town he pursed his lips and played the
Marines' Hymn, sounding perfectly like a trumpet! Fortunately I
remembered the words and sang along with him. A rendition of
our hymn that I will never, ever forget.
John Hill, SGT, 1943-46
Vietnam Vet Citizenship
Sgt . Grit
P.I. alumni August, 66-68. This is how I spent my fourth of
July. It was a very memorable moment for me and one of the
proudest moments in my life .. Joe. Nam 67-68
Subject: Vietnam veteran among 200 become U.S.
citizens at Strawberry Banke SeacoastOnline.com
Joseph Francis of Manchester, N.H. served the United States in
the Vietnam War. He will become a citizen this Fourth of July at
Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth. Courtesy photo
By CASEY SULLIVAN
news@seacoastonline.com
July 04, 2009 6:00 AM
PORTSMOUTH - Vietnam War veteran Joseph A. Francis of Manchester
served in the U.S. Marine Corps and earned a Bronze Star Combat-
V . He was not even a U.S. citizen during the time, or during
the decades to follow. But that will change today, Independence
Day, at Strawbery Banke Museum.
Francis, a Canadian citizen, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance
at a naturalization celebration at the historic site. He is one
of 200 citizenship candidates who will become U.S. citizens.
Related Stories
Thousands dodge raindrops at Strawbery Banke's An American
Celebration Nearly 200 new U.S. citizens take oath July 4 in
Portsmouth "It's amazing for people to fight in a war and do
that for a country that they aren't even a citizen of," said
David Santos, Northeast regional media manager for U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Francis served a 13-month tour in Vietnam from 1967 to February
1968. He survived a gunshot wound to the back of his leg and a
grenade blast as his company was ambushed.
"I got a little more than I bargained for," he said.
He said the grenade landed about two feet in front of him.
"All I saw was just a bright red flash, and that was it," he
said. "A few seconds later, I was on my knees picking myself up
off the ground."
Francis was hospitalized for three and a half months at Guam
Naval Hospital. "I was the only casualty out of that particular
incident. I got my men out of there, cover-fired for them. That
took me a few minutes.
In the process, I got hit with a grenade that landed right in
ront of me and blew me all to h&ll. Couple of second later I was
on the ground, on my knees, wondering where I was at."
Though his rifle was "splintered up" a bit by the blast, it
still fired. While putting down cover fire so his last man could
get out of the ambush zone, Joe took an AK-47 round in the back
of the leg. After he got patched up by the corpsman, a CH-34
lifted him up through the jungle canopy with a "horse-collar"
dangling from a cable.
For his next three months in the Corps, Joe enjoyed the rare
luxury of clean sheets while his wounds healed. Along with a
Purple Heart, the Marines awarded him the Bronze Star with a "V"
for valor.
The Corps told Joe he could go back to Manchester, too, if he
wanted. But what he wanted was to go back to his unit and serve
out the rest of his hitch. "For me, walking out of 'Nam was
important. I wanted to walk out. I wanted to leave on my own
power. And it felt good to do that."
He said it was very important to him to become a U.S. citizen.
"It's something I've dreamed about, but never really got to do,"
he said.
Santos said he thinks each American should witness a
naturalization ceremony at one point in his or her life.
"I'm afraid that a lot of us, as U.S. citizens, take citizenship
for granted," he said. "You'll see about 200 people soon that
don't take it for granted."
The candidates come from countries all over the world, including
Brazil, China, Egypt, Iraq, Haiti, Kenya, Uzbekistan and Kenya.
"Contributions from a variety of cultures came together and
built this country to be what it is despite their differences,"
said Larry Yerdon, president of Strawbery Banke Museum, on the
importance of today's ceremony. "It resulted in this great state
and this great nation."
Yerdon is one of the guest speakers at the ceremony.
"It seems appropriate that these people start their lives as new
citizens at Strawbery Banke, which has been home to so many
immigrants and new citizens for over 300 years," he said.
The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. and includes honored guest
and speaker Gov. John Lynch.
"It's quite a thing to be at and to see," Santos said. "There's
a magical moment when they get the actual certificate. It's
something tangible that they can hold in their hands that
represents years of the hard work it took them to become a
citizen."
1982 While Still In
I am going to say this plain and simple, If you were not in the
Marine Corps do not have the Eagle, Globe and Anchor tattooed on
your body, and SGT. Grit stop posting the pictures of them
please!
Why is everybody getting Tattoo's now anyway? Used to be
Military, Bikers and Excons only had Tattoo's, now everybody
that knows somebody in the service wants a tattoo in their
honor, my opinion is people who do this only want attention for
themselves (unless it's in memory of a lost loved one in combat,
still no EGA)
All of my Tattoo's I got on Court Street in 1982 WHILE I was
STILL IN the CORPS. To me the EGA is sacred and only a Marine
earns the right to wear it!
Thanks for Listening,
L/Cpl G Hill
Wpns Company 81mm mortars
1st Blt 2nd Marines 1982-86
Swaggered About
After doing Boot Camp in San Diego (DEC 1960-MAY 61), Pendleton
and 6741 school in San Diego, I was assigned to "MACS-8" MCAS
New River, North Carolina in September 61. Our CO was Major
Shea, a combat promoted officer of the old school. We all
admired him.
He retired and Lt. Col. Barker took his place just before
Christmas of that year. We never knew much about him except
scuttlebutt said he came from the Canadian Air Force. He was a
little guy, that swaggered about with a little french poodle and
a squeaky high pitched voice. Our Sergeant Major was just
assigned to us from Camp Lejeune and was all grunt spit and
polish, and about 6'2".
He wasn't real happy to have to whip us slovenly air dales back
into proper Marine shape, but the silliest image I remember was
all of us in formation out on the tarmac. The Sergeant Major in
front and this little Col. chewing out the Sergeant Major about
some Toys for Tots thing. His head barely up to the Sergeant's
chest, and holding a leash with the little poodle in one hand
and a swagger stick in the other. After all these years, I see
what his real history is and regret that we all didn't feel the
respect that he deserved.
Not that we didn't respect any officer, but in our thoughts, we
misjudged him by the way we saw him at the time. I thought he
retired that following year, but I transferred to MACS-9 in
Iwakuni, Japan the first part of 62, so he must have gone to the
H&MS Squadron instead.
Semper Fi
Kindest regards and sympathy to his family
Former L/CPL USMC Dan Gratton
1983 Okinawa
This is a pic of me teaching Jr. Church. This was in 1983
Okinawa, Japan.
I am Phillip Millard
I was in the Marines from Oct 1982-August 1986..During the time
this pic was taken, I was stationed at Camp Kinser. I was
attached to:
CMCC-CMS G2/3
H & S Co. H & S Bn.
3rd FSSG
Purple Gang
Receiving barracks stories?...how'bout this one?...Summer,
1957...don't recall any yellow footprints, but receiving at San
Diego was the building next to the theater, where the JFK
memorial (missing) set are (aren't?) today...a few of us had
flown all night (prop plane, DC-3) all night from Chicago
Midway, got off the plane on the north side (only terminal at
the time,) , and caught a cab to the Hotel San Diego...daylight,
but very early...at some point, a Cpl came and found us...asked
(no kidding..asked!) if we would accompany him to our
transportation...a 'cattle car' parked around the corner...once
we were inside, the change in his personality was phenomenal !
In due time we had been shorn, shipped our civvies, etc. and
found ourselves topside in the barracks, waiting for the platoon
to fill...by now it is dark out, and we are skinheads, sitting
on footlockers, waiting/wondering. In our little gaggle were 5
guys who had enlisted together in Detroit...and advertised
themselves as 'The Purple Gang'...it was obvious that they
considered themselves real badaszes. At some point, the
'leader', directs one of his minions to "go downstairs and get
that guy (the duty Cpl), and have him come up here...I want to
talk to him"
He, (the Cpl) did come up.
That night, we all learned that it is indeed possible to do
stationary double-time in 3-snap flat front boxer shorts and
shower shoes, whilst holding a footlocker over one's head and
screaming answers at the top of one's recently civilian lungs ..
Turns out the real 'Purple Gang' was a Prohibition Era bunch of
thugs...these guys turned out to be more of the feline
persuasion...Plt 281, July-October, 1957
Shot of Wisk
True story you all may enjoy. I was in Plt 174 at PI in August
of 1964. My HS buddy, Jim Machajewski, and I enlisted under the
buddy program. Around the 8th week I received one of those
letters from my girl where she wrote something stupid on the
back of the envelope...sure enough this did not escape the
attention of the Jr DI Sgt Stan Androlowicz. I was called front
center in front of his desk in the squadbay. He said "read the
%$&# letter maggot".....I read the letter...his next words were
"eat it". I proceeded to eat the envelope and the 3 page
letter.
About a third of the way through the letter my buddy Jimmy
walked past me on his way to the head (this was during "free
time") and he just had to laugh at me. The DI's arm reached
out and snagged Jimmy by the throat. He said "you think it's
funny maggot well you can help him finish eating the letter".
Well Jimmy and I polished off the letter but the DI had one
final thought...he told us to get our bottles of Wisk laundry
soap. He thought we ought to "wash down" the letter so he had
each of us drink a capful of Wisk. Then out of the goodness of
his heart he said "OK maggots get in the head and puke it
up....I don't want you to get sick on me". Jimmy and I still
laugh our butts off when we see each other and remember this
episode.
J.J.Borgan
1964-68
RVN MAG 12
Successful 2/5 Reunion
Sgt. Grit,
First of all I need to thank Sgt. Grit and Grunt.com for all the
help and donations for this fine event.
We've all heard the talk about the "10%" and I've found it to be
true also. Only this time the 10%ers were the cream of crop. I
contacted 230 Vietnam Veteran Marines and Corpsmen from the 2nd
Battalion, 5th Marines of the 1st Marine Division advising them
of a reunion to be held in Las Vegas on August 25th-28th in the
year 2009. Some were contacted by snail-mail, some by phone and
nearly 1/2 by email. The overwhelming response was "H&ll yeah" ,
"It's about time" and "I'll be there. You can count on me"
When the dust settled from the economic fallout, and the date
for the reunion arrived, 25 proud Marines and Corpsmen (See
Picture) came to Vegas for a few days of back slappin and ghost
chasin.
Thanks to "Capt. Jack" (Las Vegas Marine Corps League)
provisions were procured for a great reception full of toasts to
our brothers, picture swapin and story tellin. The banquet was
opened with the presentation of colors and armed marching
routine by 8 future Marines from Basic High School in Henderson
NV. This award winning Jr. MCROTC unit's presentation was one
that all in attendance will not soon forget. The invocation
given by Chaplin "One-Niner", Richard Lippert was a fitting
tribute to those present and also to our "Table of Honor" ( See
Picture) for those who did not return or have since past away.
Our guest speaker (See Picture) for the nite was also in Nam
with 2/5 as a communications officer. Lt. Van Hackett, who after
his service spent a lifetime in the news broadcasting field,
gave a stirring, thought provoking history lesson of 2/5 using a
"40 Years Later" approach to the year 1969.
A Grit Donation table was set up at the rear of hall and all
were told the only requirement to obtaining any item from the
table was a monetary donation and they MUST take a Sgt. Grit
Catalog. It was another nite of pictures, stories, handshakes
and hugs as we parted ways until the next, yet to be announced,
reunion takes place.
It IS true...we may not be as MEAN or LEAN, but we ARE all still
Marines. (and Corpsmen too!) The brotherhood lives on.
Semper Fi
Merle (Igor)
 Not as Lean Still as Mean T-Shirt...
I Didn't Stay
Today marks the 25 year anniversary of my joining our beloved
Corps. Seems like only a few weeks ago that I left the comforts
of my mom & dad's house and went off to become a man. The only
regret that I carry now is that I didn't stay for the duration.
Would love to have seen where I could have gone, but instead I
got out after the second enlistment in order to raise my son. So
my advice to the young Marines of today - 20 years may seem like
a long time but in reality it goes by awfully fast. Think long
and hard about when it is time to leave the Corps but always
know that if you do decide to leave you will have accomplished
something that will stay with you forever. Oh and let's not
forget that the retirement check comes every month and would
make a nice house payment...
There are days when I find myself thinking about my old buddies
and the things that we went thru together and wondering where
they are now. I can vividly recall getting off the bus and being
greeted by the kind hearted DI and the shock of getting my head
buzzed. (Oh what a feeling that was) I still can remember my old
platoon and the barracks that we lived in at MCRD San Diego. I
want to thank the men who made me what I am today the drill
instructors of 2nd BN, Golf CO, Platoon 2089, Senior DI - GySgt
Poe, Junior DI's SSgt Moore, SSgt Brown and Sgt Anthony. Tonight
when I get home I will hoist a beer in your honor.
Semper Fi,
Tom
Sgt of Marines
1984-1993
Cpl. Matthew R. Lembke
Cpl. Matthew R. Lembke, 22, of Tualatin, Ore., died July 10 of
wounds sustained on June 24 while supporting combat operations
in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd
Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force,
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
A sniper, Lembke was serving his third combat tour when an IED
exploded during a late night foot patrol in Helmand province,
Afghanistan. He lost both his legs. He underwent several
surgeries and held on for 18 days before dying July 10 at
Bethesda Naval Hospital.
First Lt. Joseph Cull, his platoon commander, wrote the family
from Afghanistan. He had met Lembke last year when Lembke was
one of 50 Marines to try out for a specialized platoon. He was
one of seven who passed all examinations, and events, and was
selected. Cull wrote that he was 100 miles away, at another
position with a different team; when he received the message
that Lembke was wounded.
"We had been operating for about 4 days straight, and sleep was
short at hand for myself, and other Marines in the platoon. I
came back from the radio, with Staff Sergeant Bustamante and we
just sat down, silent and very much awake, regardless of
fatigue. Soon word spread, our actions where mimicked by others
all around, not due to the degree of Matt's wounds, but because
of the severity of his character, his bond with others and more
importantly the profound respect all within our battalion have
for your son's professionalism and solid character.
"You have 26 sons, who are praying for his recovery every day,
regardless of what we do, what hostilities are encountered in
our day he is with us, in our actions and thoughts."
Lembke is survived by his parents, Claudia and Dale, of
Tualatin; sister, Carolyn Lembke, of Sherwood; and numerous
aunts, uncles and cousins. At his graveside service at
Willamette National Cemetery in Happy Valley, Gov. Ted
Kulongoski called Lembke, "the best Oregon has to give."
The Tualatin VFW is dedicating its new hall as Cpl. Matthew
Lembke Hall.
I felt it important to send this Marine's story to your
Newsletter. The only connection I have to this fine Marine is
that We are in The Family of Marines. My father was a 33 year
Marine veteran; I, 4 1/2 years; my son, 4 years. Cpl. Lembke
and my father are on guard duty on the streets of Heaven.
Semper Fi,
Joe Harrison
Captain (1968 - 1972)
Food Never Runs Out
Hey Grit; Just thought I'd send this along. WWII Veteran Bernie
Ruchin holds a get together each year at his home in Bedford NH
for the Marines in the area. Marines from WWII up to Desert
Storm and all ranks from Cpl to Col. Swap Sea Stories and shoot
rifle and pistol competition.
Bernie's wife and daughter hosts the event, making sure the food
never runs low.
As they say; Once a Marine Always a Marine
J.L. Shea
'53-'61
I Take Exception
I take exception to Sgt Tony Glass's statement about the young
Marine in 2/8 . I believe the young Marine is just as proud to
serve his country as any other Marine has been. The last I
checked DEAD IS DEAD and WOUNDED IS WOUNDED. Whether it is
Taliban, "Japs" or Chinese trying to kill you. I feel the right
to say this as I have a Purple Heart. As a side bar I served in
H&S Co 2/8 from July 1963 till Sept 1963. I am proud to be a
Marine and proud of all Marines.
Richard Colwill
Cpl USMC
1962-1966
One Of The Original Infidels
We are all Marines, I'm not defending what that Marine said but
in all respect Marines do what is required to keep freedom in
America! Regardless of if you fought in WWI, WW2, Korea; Nam,
Beirut, Granada or the rest of the middle east we are Marines
and that is what we do! We are not given the privilege to choose
our conflict just the uniform we wear! There is no envy or
disgruntless between vets! We do our duty for no other reason
than pride and espirit de corps! Please just keep the faith and
Brotherhood and do not bother with trivial situations! We are
all Marines whatever time place or conflict we do our best to
keep the world safe no matter what the other dipstick brings at
us!
One of the original infidels!
Cpl Tim Vallery, Beirut 83!
Semper Fi!
I Had A Ducks
It was February 1959, approx 0300 hrs. I arrived at Parris
Island Boot Camp. I had a ducks azs hair cut (some will
remember them), a black leather jacket, black pants and black
pointed shoes. I (thought) I was a tough guy from New York. I
was fast asleep on the bus when all of a sudden there was a DI
on the bus banging his night stick and yelling, GET OFF my
F....ING BUS. I opened my eyes and said, what the f... is this?
Needless to say that was the last thing I said. I was dragged
off the bus by my hair, and received a severe beating. Little
did I know at the time this was one of the best times of my
life. I was in Plt. 113, any old salts still out there?
SEMPER Fi, L/Cpl Neil Berke
Sniper's Eye Counters Smuggling in Iraq
American Forces Press Service
SAHL SINJAR, Iraq, Aug. 28, 2009 - Marine Corps snipers and
designated marksmen have been operating across the vast Iraqi
deserts since the outbreak of hostilities in 2003.
As with all units operating in Iraq, past and present, they have
found themselves evolving to meet the changing needs of the
Iraqi military and political landscape.
Small teams of snipers are finding reasons to venture into the
constantly shifting environment that exists in a place referred
to simply as "outside the wire."
"Working with previously gathered information, we gather
additional intelligence and conduct operations watching over
possible insurgent hot spots, caches or [improvised explosive
device] cells," said Army Sgt. Neftaly Estremera, a chief scout
with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,
Headquarters and Service Company. "We provide surveillance and
[reconnaissance] capabilities for areas of interest."
As their larger parent unit -- the 3rd Light Armored
Reconnaissance Battalion -- moves around the desert, relying on
its combat power by combining force with local military and
public support, the designated marksman teams operate in the
shadows, far from the public eye.
"The sniper's job is different," said Marine Corps Lance Cpl.
Russell Injerd, an assistant team leader for the battalion.
"While the team leader plans the missions, the assistant team
leader is the supervisor. Having a job like this means that not
only do you operate in the shadows, but you also work to ensure
that when others are busy, you're filling in the gaps."
It is these qualities that Marines within the designated
marksman teams said they like most.
"I love operating; I mean really, what is there to not like?"
Estremera said. "Yes, the sand fleas tear you up, but at least
you know you're actually making a difference. We've been able to
stop [people trying] to come [across the border] illegally. It's
getting to the point now where it's mainly just illegal
cigarette smuggling. We've come a long way."
A marksman often is called on to take creative approaches to
mission accomplishment. This is something team members said not
only is essential, but also is one of the unique elements of the
job.
"The guidance is pretty general," Injerd said. "It's a good line
of work, because you get to be creative with your mission
planning. That's something not many units ever truly get to do."
A large part of mission planning is location. Snipers have the
luxury of choosing where to establish themselves and how best to
insert. While other, larger formations are limited by their loud
engines and shouted squad commands, the marksman teams can slip
in and out once they've decided on where to conduct their work.
"We usually insert anywhere from one to two kilometers from the
operating zone," Injerd added. "We'll go over the plan, mount up
and then move to wherever it is that we feel we can accomplish
the mission most effectively."
While many movies and books tend to emphasize the marksmanship
skills of the Marine sniper and designated marksman, marksman
team members find that their true skills are in not having to
fire a shot at all. Much like policemen around the world, the
snipers are there to gather evidence and gain a visual
perspective while keeping themselves unseen.
After the "insert," which Injerd described as the trickiest part
of an operation, the team goes back to one of the fundamentals
of infantry operations: communications.
"Once we have communications established, we check out the area
and move into our selected [position]," Injerd explained. "From
there, we set up and watch out. If we catch the bad guys
committing crimes like smuggling, we call in for ground units."
(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)
Rotating Home
Sgt. Grit,
I admit to being a packrat. Today I did a little tossing of
items stored in our shed and came upon a time capsule in the
form of a dilapidated old suitcase. Inside, among several old
letters and cards, a brochure from the R&R Center and Ft.
Derussy on Waikiki Beach near Honolulu, and a "U.S. Marine Corps
Rifle Marksmanship and Data Book," I found the following letter
that I sent to my wife shortly before rotating home from 'Nam. I
thought I'd send it along just for the fun of it, in case you
haven't included one in your newsletter before. (And just for
the record, I hate the taste and smell of beer in any form.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Issued in solemn warning this 13th day of December, in the year
of our Lord 1967.
To: The friends, neighbors and relatives of Thomas L. Downey,
demoralized and dehydrated, but ready for readjustment back into
respectable society.
1. In making your social preparations to welcome him back into
humanity, you must make allowances for the crude environment in
which he has suffered for the past 12 1/2 months. In other words,
he may be somewhat Asiatic, suffering from advanced stages of
Viet-Cong-it-is, flak jacket slump and sandbags under the eyes.
2. Therefore, show no alarm if he prefers to squat rather than
sit on a chair, pads around the house in sandals and a towel,
takes showers in the nude in the front yard, slyly offers to
sell cigarettes to the postman (at a profit, of course), shuns
cold beer, tips the bottle up to see if the cap burns off from
acid, or holds the bottle up to check for ground glass, and
gripes about the butter being hard instead of soft and runny.
3. Don't be surprised if he refuses to answer questions about
Viet Nam, and shakes his head saying, "Kong biec, Kong biec. (I
don't understand. I don't understand.)" Be tolerant with him
when he refuses to pay for merchandise he picks up at the
grocers. Be patient when he refuses to enter a stranger's home
without asking for a grenade and a fire team to cover him. Humor
him when he demands that the driveway and street be swept for
mines every morning at dawn. He may complain about sleeping on a
soft mattress, but if he does, throw a rain coat in the yard
where the mosquitoes are the heaviest, and he'll be happy. Bear
with him if he makes up a night watch roster, shouts at passing
smokers in the evening to cup their cigarettes, or shouts,
"Lights out!" at the neighbors at 10 P.M. and goes around
turning off all the lights.
4. Try not to appear shocked if he stands in the bathroom for
hours flushing the toilet just to watch the water flow. And have
pity if, while walking downtown and a car back-fires, he
immediately hit's the ground and covers his head, shouting "In-
coming! In-coming!"
5. Any of the following sights should be avoided, since they
will produce an advanced state of shock: people dancing, T.V.
(especially war movies), large amounts of beer, ice in any form,
and last but by no means least, American women.
6. For the first few months (until he's house-broken), be
extremely watchful when he is around women. If you live in a
top-less bathing suit area, a steel leash is suggested for
walking him.
7. In a short time his profanity will decrease enough for him to
mix with people again, and soon he'll be speaking English as
well as ever. Keep in mind that under his tanned, rugged
exterior there beats a heart of gold. Treasure this for it is
the only thing of value he has left. Treat him with kindness,
tolerance, understanding and an occasional case of hot beer.
When you hear him muttering to himself in the quiet of the
evening, respect his solitude, and have faith in his ability to
return to the living....Your husband is coming home.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Semper Fi!
Tom Downey
Once a captain, USMCR; always a Marine
Vietnam: 4Dec66-18Dec67 (Art'y FO for Lima 3/7--Jan-Jun67; FDO
for India 3/11; FDO for 3rd 8-Inch How Btry)
Note:
I'd like to see something similar from other periods.
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
This is Weasel
Memorable Lines from Somalia (1st CEB) 1992 - 1993
Bardera, 15 Jan 1993, Staff / Commanders Meeting.
TF Cmdr: Captain you'll be attending a meeting with the mayor
of Bardera tomorrow.
Co Cmdr: You've gotta be sh**tin' me sir, they've got a mayor?
TF Cmdr: I've got Somali's to my front and I've got H&S Co to my
rear. No matter which way I shoot, it'll be a great shot!
Co Cmdr: I tell ya, I've got no problem massing 15 rounds down
range at these M&&Fs and puttin' their eyeballs back where their
ears use to be.
Marine: Hey 1stSgt, those people in town give me an attitude.
Radio transmission during convoy out of Mogadishu:
Call signs: Weasel & Smoker
Weasel this is Weasel! Break! I mean, Smoker this is Weasel,
we're taking fire!
Pre-Flight Safety Brief on an AF C130 flight from Bardera to
Mogadishu:
Crew Chief: And in the event we develop difficulties while in
route and we have to ditch. Well as you can see there's only 7
parachutes and there's seven crew members...well, you know how
that goes.
1stSgt S.G. Mu�oz, USMC (Ret)
71-97
Looking Down On
SGT Grit,
When my two boys graduated from MCRD San Diego, they had to go
straight to Grandma's house to pay their respects to my father.
My Dad served in WWII. He was in the Army. When my boys were
growing up they always wanted to be in the service. As they grew
up they wanted to be Marines. My Dad is so proud. I know he is
looking down on them and taking care of them.
SEMPER FI FAMILY,
Mike Escalera Sr.
PROUD USMC DAD of
LCpl Escalera, Steven Ray
MCRD SD Alpha Co. 1005 10/26/07
MCT CP Hotel Co. 11/27/07
NATTU, Oceana 04/29/08
MOS Aircraft Mechanic F-18
PDS 1st Marines MCAS Miramar VMAF-T-101-Sharp Shooter 05/07/08
LCpl Madrid, Juan
MCRD SD Alpha Co. 1005 10/26/07
MCT CP Hotel Co. 11/27/07
MOS Motor Transport
PDS 1st Marines 2nd Truck Company Camp Pendleton 06/02/08
Deployed Afghanistan 4/15/09 to Current
Short Rounds
I'm sitting here reading the news letter and feeling a bit
bummed out. I had planned to be at graduation on 28 Aug at
Parris Island but won't be able to make it.
51 years ago on 28 Aug 58, I turned 18 years old. It was also
the day I graduated from boot camp at PI with plt 146.
SSgt Forman was the SDI. The others were SSgt Baker, Sgt
Kaminski and Sgt Ort.
After boot I went to ET school at Great Lakes, then to Comm,
H&S, 3/6, 2nd MarDiv.
Gung Ho
Jim Martin
Custom satisfaction, and outstanding garage display.
what is this world coming to, these lady getting tattoos should
have their azs kicked!
guess I am old fashion. a 75 year old retired Marine semper
fi....MAC
Sgt Grit, Always love to get your newsletter. It's great, Keep
it up.
Semper Fi John Velar (Very "Old Corps")
Chosin
See the trailer
Black Shorts with Red Eagle, Globe and Anchor
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
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