Other Marine Corps BS Volume 12

Thought You Guys Would Appreciate These

Top Black from one of "our" MiTT units came to town for a quick visit to meet and thank some of his supporters so, we took him to lunch and I wanted to do something a little bit special for him ... I know I have heard on more than one occasion that, sometimes Marines feel as though they are not really supported here at home and I know many of you received an, um, less than friendly "welcome home" . So, I took some pictures that I hope will help a little in that department.

These are some of the businesses that marked the route Top took to get to the restaurant that we had his lunch at ... only 3 of the businesses I contacted declined to participate and I sicked the news on them to let them explain WHY they chose not to thank a 25 year Marine who did 2 combat tours .. LOL .. plus about 500 of our local supporters have joined together to boycott them and send them nasty letters ... LOL, I don't think they will mess with me again any time soon .

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas

Semper Fi
Dianne

United We Stand

Dear Sgt. Grit,

I thought you could put these photos on your web site to share with other Marine's. I took these photos, along with hundreds of others, when I took my wife and kids to D.C. In 2004. My wife and kids were amazed by the size of the memorial.

Please let people download these photos as a desktop for their computers or phones. The third photo is from the Korean War memorial.

I spent eight years in the Marines and Marine Reserves as a Forward Observer (0861) in ANGLICO units. I am currently a Deputy Sheriff for the County of Los Angeles, and have been for 18 years. There are many Marines on our department, and we all are proud to claim that title.

Thank you and Semper Fi!!
Travis Kelly

I Am A Firm Believer

Dear Sgt. Grit,

I joined the Corps in Nov. 1957, sent to Yemassee, SC until we had enough recruits [not the word the Sgt used} to form a platoon, then over to Parris Island, of which he informed us, there are two ways to leave this Island, one is to graduate, the other is in a pine box, I chose the first choice!

Some of my memories from over 50 years ago, My Platoon # was 303, two of my DI's that I remember were SSgt. Kahle and Sgt McFarlane, there were no yellow footprints as I remember, but, there were Women Marines that we could see drill and the DI reminded us, there is miles and miles of that stuff and we weren't going to get an inch of it. We did get to see what was claimed to be the first ever snow fall in SC, but it didn't get rid of the sandfleas, I still remember my serial # 1682617 and after I graduated, the older Marines wanted to know if that was the national debt. haha, I am a firm believer of the motto "Once a Marine, Always A Marine", the Corps teaches you principles and values, that you will never forget!

I was in the Corps for 4 years active, and 2 years inactive. My closest encounter with being in a war, was, while stationed at Marine Barracks, Newport, RI, we all had to pack our seabags and go on stand-by to board a ship, but that didn't happen, One other highlight was, in making a Mediterranean cruise in 1960 aboard the USS Vermillion AKA 107 with the 1st Bn.8th Marines, I loved this cruise, even though we did landings on every island we came to. the liberty made up for this!

I want to commend you and your newsletter for bringing these memories to life, although, some of the articles bring a tear to my eyes occasionally.

Thanks to each and every Marine, for keeping and maintaining our Freedom, they sure have my respect and admiration!

Semper Fi and God Bless
L/Cpl. Stanley A. Shepherd 1682617
1957-1963 USMC

Proud mother of a Marine

Hi Sgt Grit,

My name is Kara Peterson and I am new to your website. I found your story so interesting!

I had three grandfathers. One on my dad's side, and two on my mother's of with one was a step, and the closest to us.

My grandfather on my father's side served in WW1, died about 40 years ago. My other two grandfathers on my mother's side both were in WW2.

Only one is still living. My grandfather was in the air force and a pilot, and did some training with teaching pilots how to fire.

He is getting very old, but is a true war hero to me. He often told my son stories about his experience, information we had not known. He was comfortable with my son's interest as he kept on asking questions.

My son is now 20 years old. I think due to his great-grandfathers heroism and loyalty, made my son want to join the military. One of my son's great-grandfather's died while my son was young, we have his flag, and my son wore his original dog tags from WW2 every day for about two years. He took them off only when he had to go to boot camp at MCRD and camp Pendleton. Now my son has his own dog tags, but still treasures my grandfathers. We also have his flag, and photos of my grandfather that is still alive.

Anyway my son is now a US Marine. He scored very high on the entrance exam, but is choosing the front line. He wanted special forces but he is red/green colorblind. He can not earn his wings, and the Army would have probably made him a cook. So with the marines they allow him to be in infantry, even with his colorblind issue. My son is still in training to become a sniper, rocket launcher, or rifleman. He wants to serve his county as best he can. I am so proud!

I just wanted to add an hello to your newsletter. I would like to include some photos of my grandfather that was in the air force for WW2, and maybe a photo of my son. I hope you enjoy these, they are real treasures to us!

I can't find his third photo of my grandfather who is still alive, and one of my son.

Thank you!

Kara Peterson

Proud Marine Mom!

SGT Matthew Marks Re-ups

For the past several months, we have been on this roller coaster ride with our son Matthew, the first of the two Marine sons currently serving in Iraq on the same base with his brother.

“Clear out my bedroom Mom” he would say over the phone. “Is there room for my furniture?” he would ask. “This is your home and whatever help or assistance you need we will be here for you!” we would reply. “If plans are for you to get in school, no rent here!”, we let him know. Our biggest concern was his commitment to school and we would do whatever he needed to concentrate on higher education, financial needs would not be his worry.

“Dad, plan on riding with me and my “stuff” in July,” Matthew said needing a second driver for the long haul home. David already had the dates on his calendar.

Constantly in the last few months, Matthew asked for our opinion, but we were careful with our response:

Matthew,

The only person you have to prove anything to is YOU.

Then we receive:

I am re-enlisting as soon as my package comes back approved.

It’s just what I have to do. When on XMAS day I'm out in the field sleeping in a tent and cold as hell, but I'm surrounded by a group of guys who I can laugh and have a good time with even in a sh@#$$y situation, I will never find that anywhere else but the Marine Corps. Or when someone is short on money and needs help, you have every Marine trying to help you out, you don't get that anywhere else but the Marine Corps. Or when all of y'all are at a bar and someone tries to pick a fight with you, well that person just picked a fight with everyone that you are with b/c you mess with one Marine you mess with all of them. Or just the pride of wearing the Uniform, and to be able to call yourself a United States Marine, b/c that is the greatest feeling in the world. There is nowhere else I can work and act like a little kid all the time, and just have fun. Deep down I love this sh#$! I'm going to re-enlist and do 20 yrs and become a Chief warrant officer, b/c I love being a Marine! This is my career path and if I get out, the civilian world just is not for me. I like getting dirty, yelling, shooting the rifle, and being able to wear this uniform.

I would miss this too much. I'm a freaking Marine, how many ppl can say that!

David and I have always told our kids we would support them no matter what they wanted to do (as long as it is legal and they can support themselves), because the most important thing in life is to love what you do. This is what Matthew loves to do and we are proud of him.

As you can tell from the attached picture, his package arrived. I read the words and viewed the picture through tears that filled my eyes. His decision has been made and from the emails we are receiving from Marines, again I am reminded of their motto, “Semper Fi”

Karen Marks

Proud Mom

Dear Sgt. Grit,

My son just deployed with 1/1. I am so proud of him, and all our marines!!! OOHRAH!!!. He was working at a part time job just floating around after graduation from high school.. A retired Marine he worked with kept telling him he would never make in the Corps. Everyday my son would take the bus home, and the bus would drive by the recruiter building. One day he called me and said " Mom I did it!!"........and the rest will be history.

January 22 2004

Today's date is January 22 2009. this marks the 5th year of the passing of our son Cpl. Joshua Harris. He along with 3 other Marines died when their Huey helicopter struck tower 197 in Talega Canyon. The other three Marines were Capt. Michael Lawlor, Capt. Adam Miller and Sgt.Lori Privette. This canyon is on the northern perimeters of Camp Pendleton. These Marines deployed to Kuwait in January of 2003 where they served 10 months flying numerous missions into Iraq. My son came home in October and then again during Christmas of 2003. January 22 2004 these Marines were on a training flight using NVG's, they were to be redeployed in April . This was the day that determined these 4 Marines where not to come home again.

Since this time the Wife and I have traveled to Camp Pendleton and I really appreciated meeting the flight line of MAg-39 and the members of HMLA 169. It is true of the family feelings Marines have towards each other. I experienced it first hand. Even though the parents of the rest of the crew are from different parts of the country, Maryland, Illinois, North Carolina and we are from Florida, we had the opportunity to meet. Yes, we share a common bond but I believe we have also developed a lasting friendship.

My thoughts are with the brave parents of and the Bravest of the Brave, the USMC.

Regards
Charles Harris

Toys for Tots Pictures

Sgt Grit,

Greetings to you and your staff. Hope you have a great New Year.

Our church had the privilege of taking part in the Toys for Tots program.

Attached are 3 pictures that I took and maybe you can post them.

Thank you for the great service you give all the veterans.

Semper Fi
SSGT Mario Moreno

A Guy From My Boot Camp Platoon and John Wayne

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of getting together with a guy I hadn’t seen since we graduated from boot camp with Platoon 145 in September of 1962 at MCRD San Diego. Henry ‘Hank’ Glees and I spent a couple of hours, swapping stories about boot camp and our time in the Corps. Turns out we both served a couple of months over four years and got out within five days of each other. Hank went to Sea School after graduation and spent a couple of years on one of those small aircraft carriers (I forget the name). He said he met John Wayne and brought a copy of the picture he had as proof. He gave the copy to me and I would like to share it with you. That’s Hank just over the Duke’s right shoulder. The time frame is sometime in 1963 or 1964 and the place is on a flat-top out of San Diego bound for Hawaii.

The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

Stolen Valor

Sgt. Grit,

Haven't seen anything about "Stolen Valor" ever mentioned in your news's letter in the years I've been reading it. Don't know if you'll display this or not in your next news's letter but thought I'd send it anyway to get the word out of what happens to someone who may have great expectations of doing so. There's more to find out about this person on the web, but this is the final results.

A Former Marine
Semper - Fi

"Young meet Old"

You've posted pictures of our motorhome with the Bulldog and EGA on the back. Last week, my wife and I came back from being on the highways and by-ways of the western U.S. for seven months. We had some very memorable experiences meeting a rather large cross section of old and young marines.

This past wednesday we were taking the rolling house to storage in Lakewood, California. I had a young marine pull up on the drivers side and roll down his window to talk to me. I noticed a marine corp uniform hanging on the passenger side of his vehicle. He stated he worked the Lakewood Recruiting station and asked if I could come by with the motorhome and he wanted to give me something. I told him I would and I knew where the recruiting station was located at the Lakewood Mall. My wife was following me with our car and thought I had lost my mind when I pulled into Mall parking lot. I parked it in the isle facing the recruiting station and went in to their office. The young man in the car turned out to be a Gunny Sgt. Luckily I carry a small pocket digital camera with me at all times. I asked if they would like their picture taken with the back of the motorhome. I was most honored to take this picture and forward it to you. These fine gentlemen all have over 5 years, plus, of active service and 3 of the 4 might make it a career.

The men left to right;
Gysgt Juan Contreras, Ssgt Kristopher Lee, Sgt Gregory Friend, Sgt Kevin Knight.

Old Sgt Fritz McDowell
#2349865
Corp 1967/1970
P.S.
I did get two marine coffee mugs for my wife and I from these gentlemen.

Two Generations of Marines

I just wanted to share a couple pics. Here is a pic of my Dad Gene Richards in Sasebo Japan in 1950 I believe. He served in the Pacific during WWII and is also an Iwo Jima Marine. He'll be 86 this May.

Also , this is a pic of me during Desert Storm. This donkey hung around our camp after the cease fire. I was with USMCR AT (Tow) Co. Lt. out of Broken Arrow Oklahoma and attached to 3/23. This little guy even had USMC spray painted on his side so I guess he qualifies as a mascot. I tried to feed him some dehydrated fruit from my M.R.E. but he wouldn't eat it. Instead he walked away and chewed on some plywood! Go figure.

Thank you,
Jim Richards
Coweta Oklahoma

1953 BGen. Brown

Maj. Darby,

That was BGen. Wilburt S. Brown. I heard some of his contemporaries refer to him as 'Slew-foot' Brown. Probably went back to his WW1 days. I've attached a foto of him with Lt.Gen. Franklin A. Hart (a fearful man). Brown is in the center. He was Chief Umpire for the exercise.Notice he is wearing the French Fourregere, that was a personal decoration since it has the loops outside the arm. This was during AirLex II at 29Palms. I believe it was early 1953. I was with 3rd Sig.Bn.

29 Palms was pretty nasty back then. I first went there in '52, absolutely nothing there, no shelter of any kind. Just lizards, tortoises and some old prospectors.

P. Santiago
GySgt. (Retired)

Wreaths Across America Project

http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/articles/2008/12/16/news/263amarwreaths.prt

Thanks again for your kind support!

Happy Holidays!
Craig Herkes

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