"[I]t now remains to be my earnest wish and prayer, that the Citizens of the United States could make a wise and virtuous use of the blessings placed before them." --George Washington
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New Items!
Memorial Day Shirt - Only available through June 5th
This is a special way you can remember those
who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Featuring
a stunning blend of images from the Iwo Jima and
Vietnam Memorials by SSgt Charles Wolf (SemperToons)
you'll want to see it!
More New Marine Corps Items Are In:
USMC Flames Visor
Neon Eagle Globe and Anchor Sign
Captain of Marines T-Shirt
Vintage Marine Corps Flag T-Shirt
TDI Law Enforcement Knife
Did you miss the 2nd Annual GriTogether?
It was a huge success. Marines, Family Members, and
Supporters all came out to enjoy the day!
See some pictures
Featured Closeout Item:
Brothers Forever T-Shirt
See all of our closeout items
All Grit Readers,
Recently 1st Plt, Co. L, 3/25 (based in Columbus, Ohio)
took some heavy casualties, after kicking some major butt
in heavy fighting near the Syrian border. One local
newscast said that 1st Plt was "decimated". Just for
the records, 40 insurgents were captured and over 200
insurgents were KIA. Seems like 1st Plt. "decimated" the enemy.
As a former Squad Leader in 3rd Plt, Co "L", 3/25, I am
proud of the ferocity of their fighting and mourn the
losses they incurred. One of my Patrol Sergeant's heard
his son was wounded in this exchange between the faceless,
cowardly enemy and the courageous young Marines of 1st
Plt. His son, Sgt. S.E. Balla, is recovering from his
wounds and will rejoin what was left of 1st Plt before long.
I ask that all readers please say a prayer for those that
gave their lives, their friends and families, and for the
wounded. I also ask that all readers say a prayer for the
leaders of our country, the Marine Corps, and especially
all the officers and enlisted of 3rd Bn, 25th Marines, 4th
Mar. Div. I am confident this outstanding unit will heal
it's wounds, regroup, and carry the fight to the enemy in
the proud tradition of the Corps. My only regret is that
I can not pick up a weapon and join them in their fight.
Someone recently asked me why I take the losses of Co "L",
3/25, so personally. I responded that "first, it's a
Marine thing." Second, "that is my old unit and therefore
all members are my brothers." Finally, I said "I take
it personally because when one Marine is in "harms way"
all Marines wish to be at his side."
Enough said.
R.A. Kiser (former Cpl of Marines, 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon,
Co "L", 3rd Bn, 25th Marines)
Chief of Police
Grandview Heights, Ohio
What a beautiful depiction of what our men are committed
to. My husband is a Navy Chaplain at National Naval Medical
Center in Bethesda, Md. He is in charge of all the wounded
Marines coming in from Iraq and Afghanistan. It is amazing
to see the courage these young men have. It is also
Overwhelming to see the miracles God is performing on these
young men. Many who were taken off life support to watch die
were touched by God's grace and left the hospital days later
with their families. Please continue praying for these
brave men and women and for God's healing touch!
Danelle Dillman
Navy Wife
I too echo the thoughts of all those leading our
troops through this fight! We must continue to
take the fighting to his neighborhood, home,
area & region. They ( these third world punks)
need to managed right out of existence!
God bless our men and women who have given
their lives up to this point in time.
We know that when duty called....they answered.
When integrity, honor and loyalty were on the line,
they fulfilled their duty.
Gene Spanos
Lieut. Ret. RPD 72/95
Sgt. US Marine Corps 66/71
Vietnam 68' DMZ 11th Engineer Bn
Dear Sgt Grit and All you Wonderful Marines !
This has been a stressful few weeks for me. So much so
that I have had very little time to be online and connect
with this wonderful family of Marines I have become quite
attached too. SO when I got home late this evening and
saw the priority mail box waiting for me I was moved to
tears. In response to my recent post about how when I
had returned from a trip to Camp Pen, my USMC flag had
been destroyed, Sgt Grit's staff contacted me letting me
know of the generous offer made by many of you to replace
the flag for me. Enclosed with the flag was the newest
M.O.M. T-shirt. I am never one who is lost for words,
but today, I am speechless, and filled with
appreciation and thanks.
One last thing. When my Cpl. was a tot, I got very upset
with my sisters for giving him toy guns...... and well
today (this week) he is on the range and I am actually
rooting for him to shoot Sharpshooter! Go figure
What else is there to say! THANK YOU ALL.
With prayers for peace,
Denise
Sgt Grit,
I just wanted to say that I enjoy your web site very much.
We just returned from a seven month tour in Iraq, and are
due to return again later this year for another seven
month tour. VMU-2 is over there right now maintaining
the watch in the air.
R/S
SSgt Thompson, J. E.
VMU-1/ S2 Chief
Bldg 1980
29 Palms, Ca. 92278
Good afternoon to everyone who reads this. I'm a 21 year
old student at the University of Iowa. I'm taking my second
break from school to go BACK to boot camp. Two years ago,
while attending Arizona State University, I withdrew from
school to offer myself to both the security of this great
nation, as well as the young men and women who were serving
over in Iraq while I was partying like crazy. I enlisted
arrived to boot camp on April 14th of 2003, right after
the operations in Iraq had begun. I walked into a Marine
recruiting office in Tempe, Az, and, having never even
considered the military before, told the recruiter I
wanted to quickest way to Iraq. He told me I should go
infantry, and I said whatever I'd be doing that the guys
fighting do. (I didn't know anything at that point, not
even that the Marine Corps had a job other than infantry,
lol). I was a platoon leader, switching between that
and Guide during training company until week 8, when we
were getting ready to go up to Camp Pendleton. The night
before we packed the buses, I tore my PCL, meniscus, and
chipped a bone in my right knee due to a nasty fall I
took in the squad bay. I was furious, and didn't want
to go to medical, but I couldn't even dress myself, let
alone walk. I was separated July 28th. ANYWAY, here I
am two years later, getting ready to ship out again for
round two. I leave on May 16th. I am a contracted 0321,
Recon, but would never claim such an MOS title until
I EARN it. I'm going reserves, and I'm planning on
coming back after my training and attending PLC (platoon
leadership course) to become an officer. Anyway, all
the Marines, and service men and women out there, and
great American citizens, thank you for everything you've
done, are doing, and will do in the future. No matter
the politics of any situation, the bottom line is that
this country, as every other country, needs a military.
Thank you.
Sgt. Grit, my son SSGT. Hooker who is stationed at Camp
Fallujah Iraq, states that all the Marines there are ,
" taking care of business", and doing ,"some house cleaning".
He says that moral is high, and that he has never served
with a finer group of Marines. My wife and I are extremely
proud of our "Marine", and keep him and all our "Marines"
in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless them all.
Semper Fi, father of SSGT. C.N. Hooker, CLB-8, 2nd FSSG,
Camp Fallujah, Iraq.
My 10 year old granddaughter was complaining to her mother
(my daughter) about her being to strict. My daughter told
her that she had it harder because her father was a Marine.
A few weeks later I was watching Regis Philbin on TV and
he had a guest Dana Carvey. Dana Carvey said that his kids
were complaining about him being to tough. He told them
that they didn't know what tough was. He told them that
his father was a Marine. Regis said that his father was
a Marine too. Marines affect other peoples lives too.
Jim Manning C-1-1 1948- 1952
Sgt. Grit;
My son's a Marine Recruiter. We've talked about the
university's, colleges and schools not letting Military
Recruiters on campus. I understand there's one campus
on the left coast (California) that's currently voting
whether or not to totally bar recruiters. Let's see
now...A federally funded institution that supposedly
prizes freedom of speech, seeks to bar a federal employee
(the recruiter) who's carrying out lawful freedom of
speech by recruiting for federal service, (our military.)
Pull the schools federal funding the moment they start that #*@!
Immediately.
If they give you any static, send the Attorney General after
them for violations of 42 USC Sec. 1983 Deprivation of
Federal Civil Rights (Barring a Federal Employee Access
to Federally Funded Property) and Title 18 Sec. 240
(Conspiracy to Deprive the recruiters, individually and
collectively, of their 1st Amendment rights.) No Dean,
or President of a so-called ivory tower of "higher learning"
takes such a stupid action by themselves.
Charge them for it. Individually.
My Marine son served in Iraq and I'm so proud of him I
could just bust. So is my whole family. And our young
Marine hero has completed five and just told me, he's
looking hard at going career.
Lord? This proud old Army puke asks you to look after
all the Marines, everyone in uniform and all our veterans.
God Bless and God Speed to you all as you go about your work.
Just sign me, "Old Army."
I have become a proud Marine parent on May 13, My son
Brian graduated from Boot Camp at Parris Island. He
is home on his 10 day leave and 40 lbs lighter and
has become a real man at age 18.
Marty Johnson
The letter from the resent widow and school teacher of at
risk children of which she is to commended for carrying
on the personnel at heart sincere obligation to maintain
this Nations freedoms. As a Disabled Retired Marine I
most likely as your husband served with Honor and a
strong sense of pride in this Great Nations History,
Liberty and traditions. In closing as a State Highway
Departments issue a Drivers License it is not a right
it is a privilege. As we volunteered joined and met
every call our Commander in Chief asked of us. We
served with honor in the Marine Corps there was no
question to why - it was pride and a pleasure.
Semper Fi -Always Faithful
SSGT Levangie USMC Ret.
Sgt Grit,
I've been receiving your Newsletter for quite some
time now. Reading some of the stories just got me to
thinking about my daughter. You see, a couple of years
ago she came up to me and said, "Dad, I want to join
the Marines". I asked her if she was f&*$ing crazy,
and said, "Why don't you join the Air Force?". (I have
no idea why I asked her those questions...Her Mom was
a Marine for 8 years). Well, she said, "What, you
don't think I can accept the challenge?". I threw up
my hands, and said, "Do what you gotta do". By God,
she did, and off to Parris Island she went. Since that
time she's become quite a woman, and I couldn't be prouder.
No, I take that back. I believe I was the proudest when
she asked me to administer the Oath of Enlistment to her.
An absolute honor, I must say, and to top it off...she
did it on my birthday. My daughter's mom passed away when my
daughter was 11, but I know she is keeping an eye on our
"little girl". Thanks for allowing a place where a
Dad can ramble on. OOH-RAH.
CS
CWO-3, USMC (Ret.)
Dear SGT Grunt,
I would like to thank ALL marines for their commitment and
risk to secure our rights and freedom as Americans. I am
the very Proud Marine Mom of a Marine, a pride like no
other. I would like to remind all our wonderful supporters
that we have not just sons protecting us but also daughters.
So many times it seems to go unsaid that there are females
also in the Marines, defending our country.
God Bless you ALL , Marines, you all make us proud!!!!
Semper Fi.
Teresa
VPM of PFC Alicia
Answer for J Daun
Suggest to the wife of the Marine who has a problem
coping with the trauma of war that he (or she) contact
the local VA. They have offices located in most counties.
Check the phone book under county government. They can
help get him to a clinic where he can receive help.
They can assistance him with many problems, medical or
mental, all FREE of charge to all Vets. I lost friends
in Viet Nam and was messed up many years. It was only
5 years ago that I found out how they could help me.
It was hard to admit that I needed help but after
swallowing my pride (that is hard to do being a Marine)
with help of a few friends I contacted them. They gave
me the help needed. Thanks to them I am on the right track.
A L Davis
Sgt USMC
1899874
This is for Matt's mom Katie....I am not sure where you
live, but I do know that the Young Marine program is a
great one! Our 13 year old grandson Dillon is a member
with the Norman, OK unit. He looks forward to every
meeting night AND though I KNOW I am a bit prejudiced...
he looks so fine in his uniform! Our 12 year old grand
daughter wants to join as soon as she can talk her mother
into it! (Mom doesn't think she'd like it, but we know
she would!) I know your children will be proud to put
on that uniform and that will make them feel even
closer to their brother who is serving.
Connie Beesley
Dawn "Devil Doc's" wife,
First and foremost, I would like to thank Doc for his
service to this great nation and the Marines he served
with. Also I would like to thank you for the lonely and
scared nights and days you have spent while he was
deployed, as some "people" never think of what is left
behind when a man goes to a foreign country to protect
the world. THANK YOU DOC AND DAWN!!!!!
Once you have been "adopted" by the Marines and serve
with them (us) your whole life changes. They will work a
little harder, sometimes after a while they notice that
they think a little different, they take on a new felt
"pride". The only people that like naval bases are those
who know nothing else but naval bases. Sometimes other
services look at us with envy and don’t even know why.
Marines don’t always get the newest and best equipment.
Some days you wonder if you have to wait till Christmas
to get extra ammo and grenades. You trade and barter
for the extras. One thing you cannot beg borrow or steal
is a navy Doc. Your utilities may be thread bare, boot
laces have so many places where there tied together that
the are half the size of new ones. you have to wear two
pairs of socks to cover all the holes. A slight problem
that you can over come. No "Doc"-that’s a problem of
major proportion!!!!
You made the correct decision . He needs to be where
he is comfortable and not on a naval base. We used to
have a saying: "navy medic? never leave home without one"!!!!!
I have never met one that I did not like.
Cute little story. Weekend off so we decide to go to
the bar down town. We are loading up and one of the guy's
yells "wait" so five minutes later he walks back out with
"Doc Bonkers" in tow claiming we "might need him".
Good call. And yes, we did need him! (civvies are morons
at times-mouth's bigger than there a**'s especially
when they run in pack's)
Again, thank you both and when he deploys know that
both of you will be in our prayers.
Krusty SEMPER-FI
Sgt. Just had to run my thoughts by you and your readers
Last night The Wall that Heals arrived in a small town
local to me East Haven Ct. I was set back by the way it
was presented and the prior military who came out to see .
One person who I am proud to call friend and brother
Cpl. Jack Dougherty showed with his wife Jane in his
Class A which still fit like a glove. Jack by the way was
hit his 15th day in county and is a recipient of The purple
heart. I was struck by the amount of people that reacted
to names found on the walls smaller cousin. The local news
was in force and did some interviews. When questioned I
asked the camera be turned off. I told the young lady
reporter I felt one that is was nice that the news covered
this event but I personally felt that there was no positive
coverage when my brothers and I returned home I felt out
of place speaking now. She even asked how I felt about
Hanoi Jane making all of her apologies recently. I told
her I was glad the camera was off and that her father
was spinning in his grave. I do realize that its now
popular to be seen with a vet or speak out about the
military in a positive way and this is a good thing
maybe someday Ill forget the past and forgive Maybe.
Semper Fi God Bless ALL my brothers and sisters
Sgt JD USMC Now and Always
"If you will think about what you ought to do for other
people, your character will take care of itself. Character
is a by-product, and any man who devotes himself to its
cultivation in his own case will become a selfish prig."
--Woodrow Wilson
Sgt. Grit,
I have just returned from Kanehoe Bay, HI where I had
the privilege of being allowed to welcome my son home
from Iraq. It was a trip I will never forget.
I have one picture of my son hitting the flight deck
that was worth any price. I also had the privilege of
being treated like family by everyone at K-Bay from the
XO , Chaplains right down to ANY and all Marines I had
the privilege of coming on contact with either by phone
or in person. I could not feel any more welcome or at
home in my own house! There were a large number of parents
there from all over the country and we were all treated
like family. As an even greater honor, I was privileged
to meet Bob Talmadge. He is a Korean War Veteran and
one of "The Chosin Few". Sadly, I do not remember his
rank, etc.. He was kind enough to keep me company and
share some stories with me while we waited for the
plane to land.
What a wonderful man! I thanked him for his sacrifices
and service to our country and later introduced him to
my son. Mr. Talmadge and all the Marine at K-Bay made
this a wonderful family reunion for the parents and our sons.
My thanks and deepest gratitude to ALL of them.
OORAH and SEMPER FIDELIS,
God bless all our Marines and armed forces people
serving across the globe!
"Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again
and expecting different results."
--Albert Einstein
"For now the Coalition of the Evil is stepping up the
carnage [in Iraq] assisted by this recent innovation of
attacking rescuers and onlookers. Perhaps the intelligentsia
in France, Germany, and the other European countries who
are so critical of our Iraqi presence will expatiate on
this innovation in their scholarly seminars and their
cafes. Some of Old Europe's most robust thinking is done
in cafes. In Paris in the early 1940s celebrated
intellectuals such as Jean-Paul Sartre discoursed on
the vulgarity of the English-speaking leaders as the
Nazi tourists strolled by. Old Europe's history of
appeasement goes back a long way and has taught
today's appeasers nothing."
--R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.
I've never written before; but I've been getting your
newsletter for some time now. And I've been ordering
from your catalog even longer. What has prompted me
to write is that I lost my father to cancer yesterday-
the greatest man I've ever known. My father was in
the Marine Corps in the 1960's. He wasn't in very
long; but anyone who met him would have thought he
was a lifer! He loved "His Corps". He cherished
every minute detail of every experience while he was
in. I can't remember a time when he wasn't telling
a story from that time in his life. Everything could
be related back to some lesson, some value he learned
in the Corps! Me and my family were blessed enough
to have Daddy two months after his diagnosis.
Although we were believing God for a miracle, we
took the opportunity to grow closer by sharing our
inmost thoughts with him. I thanked him for the
man he was. I told him that it was because of him
that I have such high standards; that I value honesty,
integrity, and loyalty above all else. He was a
living example and I still follow in his footsteps.
I know that the U.S. Marine Corps took what my
grandparents instilled in him and developed that
potential some 40 years ago into a man that had
an impact on every person he met. And I am grateful.
I am honored to have known him, to love him, and to
have had him love me. I am honored to get your
newsletters and read the stories of so many families
like mine who understand what makes our country so
great. I am honored to be a part of the Marine Corps
family. [Although my husband is Air Force (serving
in Gulf Wars I and II), my Pappaw was Army (serving
in World War II), my father-in law was Navy (serving
in Vietnam), I am proudest of my Marine heritage (my
uncle was also in the Marines)!] In the end, God
did come through with a miracle...he took my Daddy
home to be with Him. And, as much as my Daddy loved
his family, his country, and his Corps, he loved
the Lord more. I know he's having a grand time
praising God and I can't wait till I see him again.
Until then, I will carry his Marine Corps medallion
he recently ordered from the catalog and wear my
"My Daddy is a Marine" t-shirt to remind me of him.
He's already terribly missed.
But he will always be my hero.
Semper Fi
V. Conklin (Proud daughter of a Marine)
"To our mothers we owe our highest esteem, for it is
from their gift of life that the flow of events begins
that shapes our destiny. A mother's love, nurturing
and beliefs are among the strongest influences molding
the development and character of our youngsters. As
Henry Ward Beecher wrote, 'What a mother sings to
the cradle goes all the way down to the coffin'."
--Ronald Reagan
Dear Sgt GRIT, my name, Sgt Scott Beal, I have placed 2
or 3 orders now and I have been very satisfied at the
level of your operation, delivery has been efficient,
the catalog is "outstanding" and I do plan in June
to notify my fellow Marine Veterans of the Marine Corps
Association about your website, (most are WWII, Korea,
and Vietnam) I was in the Corps from 81-91 and am now
a 100% disabled veteran. My next delivery is arriving
today and I told my son, if you want it done and done
right and delivered, "Tell it to the Marines!" I did
want to say on behalf of my new daughter in law, she
and my son, Scott graduated from ASU or I stand
corrected are about to graduate from ASU in Boone, NC,
I am originally from Hickory, NC. Scott will be
commissioned a 2ndLt in the Army (yeah, I know, we
can't get em' all, but I'm proud of my son's decision
anyway!) My son and daughter in law will be going to
Germany and he will be going to Iraq, his major in
college "Political Science" and he speaks fluent
Arabic and Sunni, so that pretty much tells me where
he's going and as his Dad I am proud and worried for
him. His soon to be wife, Rachel, I bought the book
from Sgt GRIT "Surviving Deployment" and Rachel called and said that book has answered every
question and then questions she and Scott haven't even
given thought of until I sent her the book and she
wanted to thank me, but your catalog had it and I
wished I had it back in the 80's or my first marriage
might not have ended. I am really impressed with
the inventory of items you carry, I will probably
be ordering for as long as I am drinking my "lifer's
juice!" I do enjoy the catalog, and the website
is terrific also! I am going to assume that what
you have on the website, I can put on an order
form and mail in too? And I would like to end by
saying I really wish my son, James and I can be
there for the 2nd Annual GriTogether, it sounds
like a lot of fun and as I recall coming across
country on that last "DITY" move I did like the
Oklahoma Red Dirt and the country in general,
thank you very and Semper Fi! my extended family.
Scott.
Sgt. Grit,
I just wanted to talk about the bond of marines young
and old. as a marine 82-86 I've met a young marine a
few years ago 16 years my junior. we have a
friendship and a father son relationship. I've brought
this young man into my home and introduced him to my
wife and children, family and friends. Our bond is
solid and he calls on me for advice on a regular basis.
we both are alike in many ways, he is now me when I
was young and I am who he wants to be when he gets
older, none the less we are brothers Marines and family.
I am proud to have met him and to have opened not only
my home but my heart. God Bless The Marine Corps.
young and old.
Semper Fi
Sgt. Alpha 3 U.S.M.C.
Sgt. and all readers, just a few notes on being a Marine Mom,
No one and I mean NO ONE knows what its like to be a Marine
Mom except another Marine Mom. Army, Navy, Air Force Moms
are different. Its just different...If you are a Marine
Mom, you know what I mean. If you are a Marine Dad, sorry,
you still don't know...(But we still love you)
When my son left for boot camp in July 2001 (before 9-11)
I was so proud of his decision. Graduation was more
than I can explain.
The changes that take place in one young man are incredible.
One thing to remember....NEVER EVER believe a new Marine
when he says "Its just a short walk Mom"....LOL Since
that proud day (that we almost didn't get to go to
because of 9-11) My Marine has gone to Kuwait & Iraq
and back again X2. The prayers that go out, the anguish
whenever you hear on the news of another Marine
death...Unless you are a Marine Mom, you just don't get it.
I love you all like my own sons and daughters and when
you are hurt, I hurt...just like a Mom.
I recently went to my son's wedding where all his buddies
stood up for him and other Marine buddies formed the
Honor Arch. After introducing myself as the Groom's
Mom, I was MOM to all of them. I told them that since
they were all brothers (and sisters) that I was their
Mom too, and every hug and kiss I gave them was
actually coming from their "other" Mom. Because
its not only the Marines that are brothers and
sisters...Marine Moms are sisters too. And no one
knows it like another Marine Mom. And the LOOKS
that these beautiful young men and woman with their
uniforms on had from the other hotel guests ....OH MY!
(there was a standing ovation at the reception for
them...just a spontaneous outpouring of love and
thankfulness)
I just wish there were more Moms in the little town
I live in....lunch with my "Sisters" would be terrific!
So Moms, if you see My Marine (any of the hundreds
of thousands of them) give them a hug and kiss for me.
Marines say Semper Fidelis for "Always Faithful"; Marine
Moms say Semper Gumby for "Always Flexible"
Love to all my boys and girls,
MOM
Dear Sgt Grit and All you Wonderful Marines !
This has been a stressful few weeks for me. So much so
that I have had very little time to be online and connect
with this wonderful family of Marines I have become
quite attached too. SO when I got home late this
evening and saw the priority mail box waiting for me
I was moved to tears. In response to my recent post
about how when I had returned from a trip to Camp Pen,
my USMC flag had been destroyed, Sgt Grit's staff
contacted me letting me know of the generous offer
made by many of you to replace the flag for me.
Enclosed with the flag was the newest M.O.M. T-shirt.
I am never one who is lost for words, but today, I
am speechless, and filled with appreciation and thanks.
One last thing. When my Cpl. was a tot, I got very upset
with my sisters for giving him toy guns...... and well
today (this week) he is on the range and I am
actually rooting for him to shoot Sharpshooter! Go figure
What else is there to say! THANK YOU ALL.
With prayers for peace,
Denise
Sgt. Grit,
I will never forget the day I woke up one chilly
November morning and thought to myself... I want
to become a Marine. After school, I got with a
recruiter and took the practice test on the computer.
I came home to my Mother and presented her the idea.
She looked at me in the Tahoo with surprise and
thought I was scheming about some crazy ideas...
Which I usually do. I figured, why not? Granted
I'm a female, and once my family caught wind that
the baby of them all, wanted to join the Marine Corps.,
they tried persuading me to the Air Force. They tried
telling me that in the Air Force the standard of living
was nicer, and how they were pretty much pampered.
How in the Marine Corps. I was destined for a uncivilized
way of life, and pretty much it was equivalent to four
years of h&ll, I was fuming. Stubborn as I was, the
following day I signed the papers at the recruiter's
office. It has been almost a year since I've first
went to Parris Island, and when I graduated from my
M.O.S School to find out that the Marine Corps. was
sending to Hawaii as my first duty station... I was
thrilled. But, the ironic part about it all was...
I got stationed on Hickman AFB. I stay humble about
it to my family... I realized that joining the Marine
Corps. was destined for me... even when I was stuck
at SOI four months longer than I had to, because I
was hurt. So, when some one asks me how I like being
in the Marine Corps., I look at them and tell them
it has it's days, and I'm thankful for each and
every one of them.
Semper Fi... and all of my '03 friends I had made at
SOI while they are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan....
God bless you all!
PFC Golden
Fathers Day is approaching. So, I have gone through
your Spring 2005 catalog and circled those items that
I am interested in receiving from the kids and grandkids.
It works. For my last birthday in March, I received
a number of the items that I wanted from Sgt. Grit.
Worked at Christmas time, too.
Great thing about it is I get things I want...some I
wear and some make it to my "brag" wall. Some of the
other jarheads that read your newsletter also might
want to try this...especially since Fathers Day is
June 19th. Time enough to look through your book, make
choices and "dog-ear" the pages for easy reference
by family members. Gents, you can thank me later.
Semper Fi,
Bob Rader
Sgt. '53-'56
I want to thank the men and women who are in Iraq
fighting the war! I want to thank them for giving
me the freedom to speak my mind. A lot of people
don't realize that because of the brave men and women
who are fighting the war, they are giving us the
opportunity of letting us live our lives as we wish.
I feel secure being able to go to work everyday
because I know our fellow Marines are taking care
of business. The military has control over the war
and because of that the "Hibdie Habda's" aren't
trying to take over our nation! My prayers go out
to all those who are still at war, and those who
have lost a loved one. God Bless!
Sandra
I am sorry to hear about Marine LCpl. Lance Graham.
My husband is also a Marine serving in Iraq, and my
heart breaks LCpl. Graham, for his family,
and loved ones. I will keep his family in my
prayers and God Bless you for sharing his story.....
SEMPER FI - OOHRAH
A Man is not Dead until he is Forgotten...
"[N]atural liberty is a gift of the beneficent Creator
to the whole human race, and...civil liberty is founded
in that; and cannot be wrested from any people, without
the most manifest violation of justice."
--Alexander Hamilton
Dear Sgt Grit,
On 4/29 I had the honor of speaking at the closing
ceremony of the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall in Oxford,
MS. At a time when the Vietnamese are celebrating
the fall of Saigon, I want to pay tribute for all
of your readers to those who served in the Vietnam
War and honor the memory of our fallen comrades.
An excerpt of my speech follows. I hope it is not
too long for you to include it in your newsletter.
Semper Fi,
Gene Hays MSgt, USMC, Retired
The question that I get asked the most by students
and other young people today is: "What do you think
now about the Vietnam war and do you think it was
worth the sacrifice of all those lives?" It is a
question that I have had almost 37 years to think
about. I try to answer it by telling the story of
my best friend from high school, bobby Eaton. To me,
bobby Eaton was very typical of the Marines and other
servicemen I knew in Vietnam. He came from a hard-working
modest income family in Odessa Texas. Bobby always
thought of others first and he was genuinely friendly
to all. I met him in our sophomore year when we both
became charter members of our high school interact
club, sponsored by the local rotary club. We shared
flag raising duties at school and at football games
with the key club. We also teamed up with our rotary
sponsors to perform civic projects including renovation
of a city playground and park near our school. At
school we were all caught up in the space race between
the soviet union and the united states, had watched
in horror as our president was assassinated, the
growing sphere of communist influence around the
world and the nuclear arms race. It was a time to
be patriotic and as president Kennedy had said,
"ask not what your country can do for you, ask what
you can do for your country." By graduation time in
1965, Vietnam had not been in the headlines very often
and most of us didn’t know where it was or what was
going on there. I wasn’t surprised when bobby told
me he had enlisted upon graduation into the Marine
Corps. Quite a few from our high school had entered
the service by this time, but I decided to wait
until after summer to make my decision. Another
of my classmates, a popular football player and
likeable guy, rex young, waited until the summer
of 1966 to enlist in the army. When I graduated
from boot camp in November of 1965, bobby Eaton
attended my graduation and spent the day with me
in San Diego. Bobby was undergoing infantry training
in preparation for transfer to Vietnam. During our
last few hours together, bobby told me he had a
premonition that he would not be coming home. I
told him that I didn’t want to hear that kind of
talk that we would be together again after he
finished his tour of duty. But he continued and
he asked me to explain to his mother and his younger
twin brothers, Barry and Larry, that he was proud
to be a Marine, proud to serve his country and
that if he didn’t make it home alive, he was at
peace with his decision and he hoped they would
understand and be proud of him. Bobby was killed
in action on august 7, 1966 and was awarded the purple
heart. Rex young was killed in action on august 21,
1968 and was the first Odessan to be awarded the
congressional medal of honor. A total of 16 of my
classmates made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
I had been in aviation electronics school when bobby
was killed and was not able to talk to his mother and
brothers until after I returned home from Vietnam in
December of 1968. During the summer of 1969, en route
from California to my new duty station in Memphis,
I stopped in Odessa and met with bobby’s mother and
paid my respects to my best friend. Mrs. Eaton was
very gracious as I repeated bobby’s words to her.
She was the first to ask me this question about the
Vietnam war. I told her what I have told others
since. Bobby and rex and all of my fellow classmates
including all of those who answered the call of
duty died fighting for the principle of freedom.
I thank god that today we still have men and women
willing to answer that call to duty regardless
of the politics involved. History and time will
be the final judge of whether any war is just,
but no one will ever convince me or the majority
of my fellow veterans that the sacrifice of our
brothers and sisters in Vietnam or any other war
was in vain. Freedom in the united states and
around the world will continue to exist only as
long as we are willing to pay the price. It is
tragic to have a life cut short by war, but it
can be far worse to live a life in fear,
tyranny and oppression.
In conclusion, I have thought a lot this week about
what this wall means to me and the other veterans.
My first thought is of the famous words spoken by
general Douglas McArthur during his last address to
the cadets at west point in 1962: duty, honor,
country. Each of the names on this wall answered
the call to duty as others before us. Duty meant
serving your country when asked. Duty to family
and god and country were not just words to Vietnam
veterans. Honor. The overwhelming majority of
Vietnam veterans served with honor. If you take
a look around you now and talk to a veteran whether
it is WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the gulf war, Afghanistan
or Iraq, chances are you will see families represented
that are god fearing people, the best of neighbors,
and some of our best citizens. The servicemen and
women serving us now in Afghanistan and Iraq serve
with honor just as Vietnam veterans did. Country.
No country in the history of our civilization has
done more to feed the poor, cure the sick and
promote liberty throughout the world than the
united states of America. Vietnam veterans are
proud of our country. For all our faults and
problems, we continue to have more people seeking
to come to the united states to become American
citizens more than all of the other countries of
the world combined. Duty. Honor. Country. The wall.
And when I look into the eyes of my brother veterans
and see the gratitude expressed by all of you for
their service, I see healing. For all those who
served, whether on active duty, in the reserves
or the national guard, in combat or not. We all
tried our best to serve our country and represent
the best of what it means to be an American. Vietnam
veterans look with pride at the praise and support
given our brother and sister veterans who served
and are serving in the gulf war, Afghanistan and
Iraq. If this wall has accomplished nothing else,
it has brought us together and made us appreciate
the sacrifices made by all of our servicemen and
women. We did not receive ticker tape parades
when we came home. There were no marching bands
to greet us or welcome home celebrations. And
this is why to this day my brother veterans in
our own tradition will shake hands, embrace and
welcome each other home. To all whose names are
on the wall and to all who risked having their
names on the wall, I say "Welcome home brothers.
Welcome home."
"Democracy extends the sphere of individual freedom,
socialism restricts it. Democracy attaches all possible
value to each man; socialism makes each man a mere
agent, a mere number. Democracy and socialism have
nothing in common but one word: quality. But notice
the difference: while democracy seeks equality in
liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint
and servitude."
--Alexis de Tocqueville
Thank you all for serving our country. My prayers
are with you all.
Thank you,
Mary Schumann
Dear Editor,
I would like to share with you the wonderful news that
my family received this week. After 37 years the
Department of Defense has reaffirmed what I have heard
for many years from many families: we don’t leave
our men behind. My brother, Lance Corporal Thomas
W. Fritsch (Tommy to family and friends,) was Killed
in Action in South Vietnam on May 10, 1968, at the
battle of Kham Duc-Ngoc Tavak. The Marine Corps
Casualty Office from the Department of the Defense
has contacted my family to let us know that the
son and brother we lost on Mother’s Day in 1968
has been identified and will be returned home so
that he may be buried in USA soil, where he belongs.
We all remember Tom as a bright and vibrant soul.
He was a volunteer fireman. He was a Boy Scout and
stayed active in scouting. He loved his family and
had a passion for cooking and creating gourmet meals.
He served as camp cook at summer Boy Scout activities
and events. For many years he pursued his dream of
becoming a professional chef. He had been accepted
in the Culinary Art Institute in Connecticut to
start that dream in earnest. Sadly, he was never
able to see the dream come true. Instead, through
an annual event, scholarships are given in his name
for other young men and women to complete that dream
for him. My brother leaves behind his parents, Bill
and Mary Fritsch of Cromwell, Connecticut; siblings
Gloria Fritsch Thomas, married to Dean Thomas of
Winters, California; Patricia Fritsch of Colchester,
Connecticut; William and Bonnie Fritsch of Waxahachie,
Texas; Steven and Kim Fritsch of Cromwell, Connecticut;
nephew Shawn and Wendy DeFelice of Marlborough,
Connecticut; and nieces Lauren and Chelsey Fritsch
of Cromwell, Connecticut. After so many years the
tears now shed are those of joy for Tom’s return
and of appreciation to the United States Marine Corps
for making sure that No Man is Left Behind.
Finally, we proudly say Welcome Home Marine.
Semper Fi, Tom. We love you.
Gloria Fritsch Thomas
Proud American
The KHE SANH VETS reunion is coming up in July 12th
through the 17th, and will be held in Chicago. and if
anybody is interested in coming they can contact me
at www.khesanh.org for more information.
Thanks Don I will see you soon in Chicago.
Semper-Fi Big John Pessoni
Khe Sanh Secretary
SGT. GRIT...
This letter is the best morale booster for my vet
patients I have ever used. In our morning therapy
groups the vets ask me to read a page each meeting.
I offered to make them copies, but they said, its
more of a ritual for me to read it to them.
I have been meaning to thank you for a long time,
but get busy with my vets in the extreme. Thank
you and bless you for this newsletter.
SEMPER FI
Doc
Dr. Ariane Tiffany Alexander
War Trauma Specialist
The Genesis Institute
Sgt Grit,
I would like to say goodbye and thank you to a great
Marine who has recently retired from the Corps. He
had a lot of responsibilities and many different jobs
during his service, but one of them was recruiting.
He was quite possibly the greatest recruiter in the
USA. All of his poolees left for Parris Island
knowing EXACTLY what they were getting into and what
to expect and quite a bit of knowledge from the
"green monster". All recruits knew how to "pound in",
they all knew their General Orders like the backs of
their hands, they knew basic drill movements, they
knew how to run a pft, they knew what it felt like
to be "quarterdecked" although not as severely as
at boot camp. He was one of the greatest Marines
a lot of his recruits will ever know.
Thanks Again Gunny Don! (you know who you are!)
We will have to have a reunion sometime!!!
A former poolee, now a Marine thanks to you!
Semper fi
My husband is a Active duty GySgt stationed in Iraq
where LCpl Graham was with the 3/25th. These Marines
have sacrificed so much the last 6 days. They have
had so many fallen and wounded brothers in such a
short time. My heart and prayers go out to these
brave men every second of every day. I wish the
average American could feel the pain that we feel
as family members for these men. If anyone would
like to support our Marines please write them a
letter of thanks for all they do and all they
sacrifice. Our prayers are with The families of :
LCpl Graham, Sgt Cepeda, Lcpl Mahdee, LCpl Postal,
Sgt Marzano, LCpl Philoppn, Cpl Derga ,Navy Corpsman
Jeff Wiener and others who's names I do not have
at this time.
All of these men died in a foreign land without
any family members with them and most all of these
boys were under 24 years of age.
God Bless you all and all you do.
Semper Fi
Laura Mackey (Proud USMC Wife)
2 of the boys that were killed Mothers Day were with my sons group. They are all taking it hard, but are continuing to do the job they were sent over there to do. Pray for all of them and their families. Also, pray for our president. Please remind people we have a lot of Marines in Afghanistan. They are not brought up to often in the news. When the news media is reporting on other parts of the country our Marines in Afghanistan are being mentioned on a strip moving across the bottom of the T.V. screen and sometimes the only way you can read the words are by getting right up to the screen. That is how much they are being recognized for their sacrifices. A good deal of the time the reporting is not correct either. So please do more to mention them. Sincerely from a mother who never sleeps!
S/SGT Jeffrey R. Starling, Force Recon, 1st Force
5th Platoon, Camp Pendleton_Deceased
For sometime I have been reading the newsletter and
find most of the articles so darn fascinating and most
enjoyable and it is my way of keeping in touch with
"All the Good Men" who serve our country.
On December 9, 1999 at approximately 1315 hours we
lost our son, above, along with 6 other of his brothers
off the coast of California near Point Loma. Now here
is the reason that I have finally decided to reach
out and try to contact any Marine that may have been
at Camp Hansen-Okinawa recently. We were honored with
the naming of the SOTG building after our son located
at Camp Hansen and would like to hear from any Marine
who has witnessed or seen the dedication to him.
It would be an honor to hear from his brothers.
Grandle Starling
926 Wells Drive
South Daytona, Fl. 32119
PS: His nick name was "CORKY
Sgt Grit and all readers,
I am a 19 year old poolee set to ship to PI
29 AUG. I have religiously read this newsletter
since I swore in 16 NOV of this past year because
of the pure and unadulterated motivation I read.
Believe me, it rubs off regardless of whether it
comes from an insert written by an 80 year old veteran
(whom I respect beyond words) or from a recently
enlisted man. The end effect is the same: a brotherhood,
loyalty and remarkable vigor that will not break
come h&ll or high water. While attending Fork Union
Military Academy in Virginia, my mind was set on
earning the title of Marine one day, largely due
to the impeccable example set forth by our Commandant,
LtCOL Al Ivens. A retired Officer and Gentleman of
the Corps, he inspired me to be the best I could be,
to always push my self- imposed "limits" and exceed
my own expectations much less those of my superiors
there. He did this without saying a word to this
cadet personally.
As I moved up in the cadet rank structure, I got to
put into practice the leadership I learned from LtCOL
Ivens; the most important of which was the family
mentality, putting my cadet brothers before myself.
I was and still am overjoyed to learn of another
brotherhood, stronger and forged in fire, that I
could earn a place in.
Reading the stories published here never fails
to motivate me or put tears in my eyes. I just
finished reading the account of the Marine who,
while his squad was pinned down fighting in Iraq,
grabbed a machine gun and fired it until his
fingerprints were burned into the barrel, allowing
his fellow Marines to hold their ground. I just
wish we could send those whining cowards who seem
to tirelessly put down military service over
there for a little attitude adjustment exercise.
I want to thank every USMC Veteran, past or
present service for maintaining and passing on the
esprit de corps; your sacrifice and service is
sincerely appreciated and I am honored to think
that I will become a part of this family.
Semper Fi
David Truglia
Sgt. Todd Venette. Killed May 7th in Baghdad.
You will be missed brother.
Doc Lucas
My son, Sgt. Michael Marzano, was KIA with the 3-25
on Saturday May 7th. They taught us how to be great
proud USMC parents but not how to handle this h&ll.
I wish LCpl. Graham's family peace. At this point
we only have what is left of our Marine family. Which
is why I will continue to work with packages from
home to keep supplies going to our military. If we
can make one soldier happy, one day, during this
miserable time in their lives, we are being proud
parents, We are being Marine Parents. Semper Fi.
Margy Bons
Proud mom of a Marine that gave the ultimate
sacrifice May 7th, Haditha Iraq.
Story on 4 Marines and the " a healing process for
all of us" as they honor a fallen comrade KIA in the Republic
http://clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050506/NEWS01/505060369/1002
Ken Riskedahl-USN/RSVN 67-68
USS HORNET CVS-12 S-6
Tupelo, Mississippi
Sgt. Grit,
Your readers are aware of the losses that Lima
Company, 3/25 based in Columbus, OH has suffered
in the last weeks. Our community in Central Ohio
is basically numb. We have lost several fine
young Marines. Families and friends are left
now with memories and the inspiration from
their courage and commitment.
At 0800 on 30 May 2005, the Marine Corps Family
Support Community will be holding a special
Remembrance Service in the Worthington United
Methodist Church parking lot at 600 High St.,
Worthington, OH 43085 and adjourning to the
intersection of High and South Streets at 1000
to observe Worthington's Memorial Day Parade as
a Family. All Marines and Family in the area
are invited to share in this.
Call or email for directions and details.
614-840-0466, appropsolu@aol.com
God Bless the Marines -- Semper Fi -- Dr. Dennis
Benson Proud Marine Father of Sgt. Kris Benson
Sgt. Grit,
I first off would like to thank you and your staff
for the great time had by all at the 2nd annual
"Gritogether". I was sorta' bummed about the day,
because I went to my neighbors house to see if he
was still going to attend with me, I learned he had
just came home the night before from a stay in the
hospital. Gene Eidson is 82 years old and a WWII
and Korean Veteran Marine. While at your place for
the activities, I looked through the window of one
of the static display trucks and saw a buddy of mine
whom I had not seen since at least 1991! Cpl. Billy
Babb of Claremore OK. That definitely raised my
spirits, and made for a good reunion of brothers.
I met some board members in person, as well as
seeing some that I had met last year at your place.
God Bless you! Sgt. Grit and Semper Fidelis.
"churchman" (Greg Crowder)
My kid fought in Iraq so yours can party in college.
God Bless America!
Semper fi
Sgt Grit
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