Other Marine Corps BS Volume 10

Motor T Family

I am the proud wife of a Motor T Operator in the Marine Corps and well we have a few company t-shirts over the years, and a few have a couple of phrases on them. I told my husband this morning as I was reading your newsletter you guys needed help..this was at 5:00 over coffee...yes I still get up at 4:00 am and make the morning coffee, get his cammies together and make his coffee to go for the day. We thought about some but as being married to a Marine, most of them had "explicit" wording in all of them that he could think of, but thats my husband. Sgt. Rennhack just had his 9 year anniversary with joining the Marine Corps on July 27, 1999. I am very proud of him and all that he does. During his second tour in Iraq we had our first daughter Bailey and he came home from Iraq to a beautiful 6 week old daughter and she has been the light of his life since the day he saw her on his computer thousands of miles away. Just like any other proud dad he should her off to everyone while over seas and came home and hasn't stopped. Bailey is even in with the local Barber shop on Sunday mornings hearing the local gossip at only 11 months now and gets to have her "daddy time" with all the boys. We are currently expecting our second daughter September 26, 2008 just two weeks after our daughter Baileys 1st birthday of September 11. What a day to have a baby! We have left the fleet for a few years with now being stationed at Fort Leonard Wood where he is currently a Motor T Instructor for the next 3 years. We both can not wait to see him back in the fleet doing what he does best...

Here is a phrase the Motor T guys who drove wreckers (hemit?!?)
'Your stick it, we pick it"
"Can't truck it, F*ck it"

As I said in the start of this letter we are doing this at 5 am over coffee...can't make him think to hard to early!! And he is sitting here playing with our daughter who is just as motivated as he is this early in the morning. Cadance is a everyday morning routine around here, she does her war cry and daddy loves every minute of it!

Here are a few pictures of my motived Marine family.
Thanks for you time and Semper Fi.

Megan Rennhack & Sgt. Adam Rennhack USMC 99-current
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri

P.S. Remember the Marines lead the way, the Army just follows

Crank Handles

I'm not sure if this is the type of motor T story you were looking for, but it's one I tell often. I was in Transport Co, 7th MT Bn. in the early 80's. This was the end of the Carter era and equipment had to be scrounged… Items such as crank handles for the landing gear of the trailers. We were having an inspection and some resourceful Marines from my platoon scrounged items from other platoons to make a complete tractor-trailer. One of the "victims" of the scrounging was Sgt. Cappola. When he discovered this, he burst through the ranks yelling, "Has anyone seen my CRANK?" One devil dog suggested he show it, much to the delight of everyone!

I'm also attaching the patch of a little known Marine team. We were active in the 80's

My Granddaughters

I feel very blessed to have met and fallen in love with a Marine Vietnam veteran. His name is Tom and I have learned so much from our talks about Vietnam and what he and other's like him had to go thru. I must say, that I knew about Vietnam, but that I didn't have a real grasp on the reality of it all, I was born in 1961, what can I say?

And what I have learned is how brave all our men and women were and the sacrifices each one made in order to protect our country, and the ignorance and ridicule they each had to endure when they returned home. I work for Hospice and people ask me how can I do that kind of work, and I tell them it's not what I give but what I get, and in my knowledge of Vietnam, and all the war's I have such a high regard for all who gave of themselves, but most of all for what they could bring back, someone's son, daughter, father, wife, if not for all our brave men and women in our military, fighting everyday for our freedom, I could not imagine where we would be today. My Marine had a heart attack in February of this year, it made it thru, and every time I hear his heart beat I think of what a miracle god has given me. I am proud to say that my son-in-law is on his second tour of Iraq, his daughter is now four and he has only been home for one of her birthdays. My daughter I couldn't be prouder of, the way she has grown into such a beautiful, wonderful adult, mother and wife and taken on the responsibility of raising their daughter alone, and never complaining about her husband being gone, as she tell's me, you have to do what you have to do, and my beautiful granddaughter knows exactly who her daddy is, my daughter has made sure of that.

I am proud of all who have served and who are serving, thank you for making my America ring with pride and thank you to all you wonderful men and women in our armed force's, for if it weren't for you I wouldn't have these two beautiful granddaughters.

Sincerely
Dawn R. Logan (Prescott, Arizona)

My Marine Son

Dear Sgt. Grit,

Wanted to write a letter to hopefully be included in next week's on-line edition, as next week (August 20th) will mark the one year anniversary of my son leaving for Boot Camp to join the world's finest, in his quest to become a United States Marine.

I'm probably no different than any other proud Marine Mom but still want to share my story. I'd like to take all the credit for the fine young man my son, PFC David Cohoe has become, but those credits go to his fine mentors in the Corps, most notably, his Drill Instructors. This letter is not so much to brag on my son, as it is to try to tell other parents of future Marines of the amazing transformation they will witness in their child as a result of their commitment to the USMC.

In the months leading up to my son's departure for Boot Camp, he was your typical long-haired, guitar-playing, good-time kid, with a fondness for playing all things 80's-rock on his guitar. His favorite band from that era was/is Guns-N-Roses (he teethed to that as a baby), so he took to memorizing "Sweet Child o' Mine"; constantly playing this on his guitar, both day and night, driving us mad!. Before we knew it, High School graduation had come and gone, summer was winding down, and it was the day David was to head off to Boot Camp. In the car, on our way to drop our Poolee off at MEPS, "Sweet Child o' Mine" came out of the radio. This brought tears to everyone's eyes -my tough Poolee, my husband, and even our daughter who is 4 years younger than her USMC big brother, and worships him endlessly. I couldn't even speak as I reached behind my seat to hold his hand and squeeze 3 times-our silly unspoken code for "I Love You".

While David was in Boot Camp, we wrote to him faithfully, nearly daily, and found ourselves waiting hungrily by the mailbox for any return word-practically cart-wheeling up the driveway when we got a letter. During those 13 weeks of Boot Camp, David got discouraged only one time, and the letter he wrote home describing his woes was heart-wrenching to read because, as a parent, thousands of miles away, there is nothing you can do but continue to encourage and express your pride in this huge endeavor. You can't keep a good man down, and the rest of his correspondence was positive and upbeat. We spent those three months as I'm sure many parents have-ordering gear from Sgt. Grit, proudly wearing our USMC shirts and staking signs in our yard telling the world about our young Marine-to-be!

Before we knew it, graduation arrived and I cannot describe the anxiety I felt to finally see 'my baby'. We arrived in San Diego on Wednesday evening, checked into billeting, and immediately walked over to the parade deck, in hopes of a glimpse of our son in his platoon practicing for Graduation. We didn't immediately see him, but we heard him..up on the balcony of his dorm we heard his voice, clear and distinct carry across the parade deck: "HOLY CRAP, THAT'S MY FAMILY!". He was immediately PT'ed right then and there, LOL! I didn't know weather to laugh or cry! I slept better that night than I'd slept in 13 weeks.

The next day as we took our seats for the Eagle Globe and Anchor ceremony, the anticipation I felt inside had me excited to the point I was nauseous. Soon, I'd be hugging him! After the Eagle, Globe and Anchor ceremony, parents flooded out of the stands in their rush to greet their Marine. I was one of the first parents out of the stands and onto the parade deck and would have plowed anyone down who would have had the poor judgment or misfortune to be between me and my Marine, hahahaha! He had barely broke from formation to turn and shake the hands of his platoon brothers, but he didn't have the time-I was upon him like a shot, and I grabbed him in a fierce and proud embrace. Before me stood not 'my baby', but a man who stood tall and proud and forever changed.

As we near the one year anniversary of where this transformation began , I just want to tell the world that my pride in my Marine has only continued to grow beyond what I ever thought possible. He continues to be a source of pride to his entire family. You are our hero, PFC David Cohoe! I love you, Sweet Child o' Mine!

To the parents of Poolees-you aint' seen nothin yet! Your journey is just beginning.

I'm attaching a picture of my Marine:

Proud Mom of PFC David Cohoe
Robin Cohoe

CPL Speedy Spach

CPL Speedy Spach, USMC (Ret)
1st Wave on Guadalcanal

The Burgoon Family of WWII

Do you know any of these three Marines? They are brother and sisters: Glenn, Florence and Jake Burgoon. Glenn served in the South Pacific while Flo and Jake served at Camp Lejeune between 1944 and 1945. Another cousin, Lee Hensley Fellman (not pictured) was in the first Women Marine Class at Camp Lejeune in 1943 and is a current member of the Women Marines Association. I am proudly related to these Marines and I am looking for anyone who might have known Glenn or his sisters or where Glenn served in the Pacific. All except for Lee have passed on and their descendants have no further information to offer. If you remember any of these folks please email me at: marinervnvet@bellsouth.net Thanks and Semper Fi.

Ronald E. (Gene) Hays II
MSgt, USMC, Retired

Unit logos 3rd Scout Pltn, 8th Tank Bn

Dear Sgt Grit: i am Pete Saussy the 60yrold son of Marine, Col. George S. Saussy Jr. USMC[Ret} i am sending you images of 2 logos/designs for units he commanded. The first is 3rd Scout Platoon, 3rd Tank Bn, 3rd MarDiv for the invasion of Bougainville. 3rd Tanks took its scout pltns M3 scout cars away and gave them to the Kiwis, they got jeeps instead, which also proved right useless on Bougainville. the scouts[recon] were used as a 21stMar regimental asset and my father said they spent about as much time and effort avoiding other Marine patrols as they did the Japanese. During their time, they did the classic scout job of snooping but not pooping. he lost only one of his Marines, Pvt William who had volunteered to guide another unit and borrowed his service .45. both were lost. Why Tankers were used as scouts is apparently because they were "scouts" moounted or not. The second design is for the 8th Tank Bn at Camp Lejeune in 1950-1? wherein, my father served as XO. They only had a few tanks, M4's and maybe M-26/46. the design is a humorous comment on their capabilities. i offered this design to our local 8th Tk Bn reserve detachment but they being good hard-chargers didn't express any interest. so please put them up on your site to jog some more memories

"All Hail the Tigers of the North"
3rd Tank Bn, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, 1960-61

Pete Saussy
bujinin@netzero.com

Boilermaker Update

Just wanted to touch base with you and let you know a little bit about how things came out over the weekend with the big race. The experience itself was incredible although a little bittersweet for me in that I did not make my 2hr and 15min time frame. Sitrin Healthcare has opted to award me the racing wheelchair anyway for hanging in there and going the 9.3 mile distance in my standard wheelchair. There was so much motivation along the way I can't even begin to describe to you the whole story but the following contains some of the highlights:

Mile Marker 1: The local Shriner band struck up two verses of the Marine Corps Hymn. (First time I have ever failed to come to attention and face the music. Sorry Chesty I had a race to run I hope you understand)
Mile Marker 1.5: A Gunnery Sgt. whom I have never met before in my life passed me and handed me his challenge coin.
Mile Marker 3: a young man about age 8 joined me in his wheelchair to run alongside me and shout words of encouragement.
Mile Marker 7: An entire group of people from a local bank decided to walk with me to the finish line singing God Bless the USA and other patriotic songs the entire way.
Mile Marker 7.5: Another one of the wheelchair athletes who had ran the 5k earlier that day rolled back up the hill accompanied by a uniformed detail of active duty military from every branch of the service to see me home the last two miles.
Mile Marker 8: Met a First Sgt. from Camp Lejeune who had ran the race earlier in the day and he joined the detail to march me on home the final 1.3 miles.
Finish Line: Heroes welcome complete with two Marines in Dress Blues to meet me and welcome me home. Interviewed on TV and made the evening news.

Thank you all so much for the shirt. I have attached a couple of photos, and I am in the process of putting together a complete package containing photos and all the video coverage from the weekend. It may take a while to complete but once it is finished I will send it out to you so we can discuss further sponsorships for races in the future. Thanks again and have a wonderful day!

Semper Fi
Cpl Andy Purchase
USMC Retired

View an article and video about Cpl Purchase's race.

Guys from MCSpecial Operations

These gentlemen all gathered at Dean Smith's home in Australia for a surprise barbeque and enjoyed lots of fun and camaraderie.

New high and tight

Sgt. Grit,
My wife kept pestering me to get to the barber.
Yesterday she said I was getting to look like a sailor. That did it!

Semper Fi,
Jack Thomas Spencer
Fmr. Sgt. of Marines

Save the date

This is what I am swimming in for the tri .. it's only 1/4 mile but wet cammie pants are really freaking heavy. All geared up for the run back home.. The run for the tri is only 3 miles , this is what I am doing it in 'cept with boots (which I had to take a little break from due to blisters ... but still ran the 1/2 mile there and back :) And, yes, I found a swimsuit with blood stripes and, no, I haven't mastered that "Marine" face yet (I tried in the last one but just can't get it ) .. but a few more days of running in these freakin BDU's in 90 degree weather ...and I may just get it

Save the date Aug 2nd 0730 Ft Desoto , St Petersburg, Fl (but I will be finishing around 9:15 ish ).. and spread the word .. I am trying to round up as many Marines, Past, Present and Future as I can to come out , represent and provide some moto for that last 3 miles in 20 pounds of gear. Please spread the word to any recruiters, Marines and former Marines who you might know _ Thanks . I will have put in over 100 hours of training for this, gone through countless blisters and left quite a bunch of puke on the sand training for this bad boy... To honor our Marines (past and present), all of their sacrifices and all that You/they stand for ... to raise awareness and.. hopefully a little bit of money.

I will be doing the 1/4 mile swim in cammies, the 10 mile bike ride in either a 30 pound ruck or an MTV (if I can find one )and my 12 pound ruck & boots and, the final 3 mile run in BDU's, boots, helmet & 12 pound ruck. Compared to what our Heroes endure every day, this is really nothing but it's all this 40 year old civilian pansy can manage in between sending out 60 - 80 boxes a month to our heroes forward deployed

Semper Fi

Dianne Villano
Support Our Marines, Inc
www.supportourmarinesinc.org

Top Gun Triathalon

Bulldog Pup

Dear Sgt. Grits Staff,
We got a new bulldog puppy. She reminded me of the bulldog I had in Santa Anna Marine Corps base and was in charge of taking care of Fugly. Well Sgt. Fugly on his good days or Private Fugly on his bad days. Anyway, I thought I'd send you some pictures and maybe you could put some pictures in your catalog.

Thank You

Sgt Richard D. Bard (Retired) 1969-1974

This picture says it all.

Project Healing Waters

As a former Marine, 1979-87 I have a real soft spot for our Wounded Vets. I've been a Fly-fishing guide for 15 years and try to do my part any way I can. A few years ago a Navy Capt Ed Nicholson started a program to teach wounded Vets the fine art of Fly-fishing and Tying. For the past 2 years the Project Healing Waters has had a fishing tournament in VA for Vets and their families to practice what they had learned. Along with some 15 other professional guides we were paired with a vet and we fished 2 beats on the Rose River in VA to raise money for PHW. Number of fish plus 2 measured fish are added together to find the winners. Last year I had the honor to be paired with a fellow Marine 1ST LT. who had lost his lower extremities to an IAD, and who had never flyfished before. With the cooperation of the fish he landed the most fish out of all the vets, not bad for his first time. I am so proud of these young men and women who have taken up the call and are upholding the honor and traditions of our CORPS! Attached is a pic.

Semper Fi !!!!
Harold Harsh
Retired Sgt HMM-264

Thank you

Dear Sgt. Grit,

We had the pleasure of meeting Marines from Camp LeJeune, NC during Fleet Week in NYC a few weeks ago. I wanted to extend a big thank you to them. They were wonderful with the children showing them their weapons and such. A sniper Marine even gave my son his war paint (something he has been wanting for a long time). Just goes to show that Marines are and always will be the very BEST. Enclosed is a picture of my son trying out a sniper rifle with the help of a Marine.

Thank you all Marines and special thanks to the Marines from Camp LeJeune.

Sincerely,
Irene
Marine Supporter :)

Green Beret

Hi Sgt Grit
I have just come out of Hospital after major Nero surgery,and being as I am really cut about I have to lay on a single mattress propped upall the time ,my Grandson lent me a small DVD player and feeling depressed they clubbed to-gether and bought me a DVD called "The Green Berets" what a great John Wayne movie,reminded me of my time in the Royal Marines Commandos (Green Beret's ) 1957-68.Watching that film has helped me so much and has made me determined to fight my problems.

Always look forward to receving your monthly email,keep up the good work.

Regards aye

Rod
Per Mare Per Terram
PS: attached photo of HM the Queen's personal Buglar and myself at a recent funeral of a former Royal Marines Green Beret.

Jack Lucas, MOH

Today we lost a true American Hero. Jack Lucas, USMC, MOH Recipient passed away today.

Jack was a true American Hero, recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions while serving on Iwo Jima who survived jumping on 2 Japanese hand grenades. Jack loved the Corps, his fellow MOH recipients and life in general. A jovial man who noted when shown a picture of my Bulldog named Lucas, "Honey someone named a d*mn dog after me, I can go to heaven now"! I'm sure he is sitting there telling Jesus who is seated at the right hand of the father, "Hey you're in my chair"!

A brief Bio is located here.

Semper Fidelis and God Bless you on your final journey
Howie

Zippo Lighter

Speaking of Major Duncan, this picture was taken on USS Saint Paul while WO Duncan and detail escorted John Wayne and some other actors to Hawaii for the filming of "In Harm's Way". (Dunk is at The Duke's left shoulder.) Dunk was in the barber's chair when some movie gofer rushed in and said that The Duke needed to get in for a trim immediately. Of course Dunk got up for The Duke. WO Duncan invited him down to the Marines' quarters for some sea stories. He spent quite a bit of off time there. At the end of the cruise, the Marines presented The Duke with a Zippo lighter which he proudly carried, and showed off, for many years.

Semper Fi to two class acts

Mike Smith, L/Cpl
CAP 4-3-2 and 2-2-1

Grandson's Graduation

Dear Sgt. Grit,
I have been reading your news letter for quite some time now, and I thoroughly enjoy each and every story I read in your news letter. I wanted to write and tell you about our grandson that is now a Marine. We are very proud of our Marine, he is the second generation of Marines. Our grandson graduated boot camp on Feb. 8th of 2008, and is currently in Pensacola Florida, training for intelligence. My husband is a Marine, he served in Vietnam from 1967-1968. I have several family members that have served in the military. My father was in the army, served in WWII, two uncles served in the air force and both made a career out of it, my husband was in the Marines, served in the Vietnam war, one brother served in the army in the Vietnam war, and another brother served in the army, my son served in the army, my daughter in law served in the army, and now my grandson is serving in the Marines. I am a true patriot, and proud of each and every man and woman that serves our country so that we may live as free as we do. Here is a picture of my two generations of Marines, on our grandsons graduation day. Thanks St. Grit, for all the joy you bring with this newsletter to so many people

Proud granny of a U.S.M.C. P.F.C.
Diane Avans

Memorial Day Small Town USA 2008

It always gives me a real sense of pride to go to the local Memorial Day parade. Here in Boonsboro Maryland.

I have enclosed 2 pictures of the color guard and the 21 gun salute formation. As for me, well my health wont permit me to participate any longer. But I am still good with it all, that is until the dual Buglers played Taps.

Roy V. Casto
Cpl. US Marines 1964-1968

The Navy on Parade

Sgt. Grit,

I know that you can’t use this in the newsletter but just thought that I’d pass it along for your enjoyment.

Semper Fi!
Rich Cervenka
U.S. Marine Corps – 1969-71

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