Sgt Grit Newsletter - July 27, 2006

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Closeout Items

I Am My Brother's Keeper

3 Hole Enamel Derby Cover

White USMC Chopper Design T-Shirt

Flannel Boxers with USMC

All Closeout Items

We were privileged enough to spend the evening with a young Marine that my better half considers a son. We attended his graduation in San Diego last fall, where he had gotten his wish to become an Infantry Marine. As the evening progressed, he began to tell me of the training he is going through in the stumps. His assigned MOS is machine-gunner. Now the funny part. His words exactly" Oh those poor ba@#@ds, they are down their kicking in doors while I sit back and provide over watch. No one has it worse than the 11's."

Some things just don't change, when you're a Marine, someone always has it worse than you, unless of course, you're an "11"

Kevin (From Sgt Grit Bulletin Board)

9/11 Why We Do What We Do Shirt

Why We Do What We Do! These shirts are available in Oxford Gray and are 100% preshrunk cotton, available as a t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, sweatshirt, and hooded sweatshirt.Available ONLY through August 13th.

OIF Some People Just Need Killing Shirt

OIF Some People Just Need Killing! These shirts are available in Ash Gray and are 100% preshrunk cotton, available as a t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, sweatshirt, and hooded sweatshirt. Available ONLY through July 30th.

Novelty Items on Special This Week

We have some Marine Corps novelty items on sale this week. 20% off for a short time only.

Easy To Season

In the Spring of 1967 at ChuLai, RVN the army's 196th Light Inf. moved into the ChuLai area. For reasons that escaped us, the mess hall was forced to move to the army's menu (no more good naval service chow). The Marine cooks did the best they could, but there was only so much that could be done with the army's food ration.

We hated it so much that we started to eat C-Rats, which were better than most of the army chow (those people eat sheep and way to many hot dogs). Since we were always in the base (I was with FLSG-B, FLC) we did have electricity, so we heated the cans in coffee pots, opened them and had some pretty good food since it was easy to season them with various stuff. We also ate a lot of bread since we could get fresh bread from the Marine bakery, and those Marine cooks made some of the best bread I have ever had (it even had a little more protein in the form of little bugs).I still have my Tabasco C-Ration Cook Book that the company gave with a bottle of Tabasco to any RVN serviceman that wrote off for it.

It just ain't true that C-Rats were always lousy chow.

Joe A. Bell
Retired Economics Professor but still a Marine

Dear John

Dear Sgt. Grit,

I just read your latest newsletter and toward the end I read a "Dear John" and the fact that you asked for more stories of DJ. I joined the Corps in Jan 70 and made it to Viet Nam in April 71. I got my "Dear John" in June 71. After preaching her undying love before I left she didn't even last 2 months. I was in Da Nang when I got the letter and went ballistic. I tried calling, even on MARS, but she wouldn't talk to me. After my tour in Nam and Nam Phong I went home to see her. She wouldn't say a word to me, not one. I never could figure that out but I moved on anyway. And glad to this day I did.

Semper Fi and God Bless All of Our Brothers SSgt. Jack Jiracek 1970-1980

Second Best Move

I read some of the comments about marrying Women Marines. When I was stationed With the 2d MAW at MCAS, Cherry Point in 53-54. I married a WM Cpl on 18 Dec 54. Second best move I ever made, the first was joining the Corps. We celebrated our 50th on 18Dec04 with a combination Marine Corps and Scottish reception, We are both Scottish decent. We have a daughter and son and three grand daughters.

SSgt Sam Matthews Jr
Retired, 618326

Joke

So we have this Ol' Salt Marine Gunny Type sitting at the bar Wearing this ' T ' Shirt that says 'The Army Sucks'. Well sure enough here walks in two young Army types Who right off the bat one of them says, "What The H&ll Does That Shirt Say? " So the Gunny takes a long drink from his beer and says to himself 'Ya see , that's the first thing I hate about the Army, They can't read!' The other army type growls 'What did he say?' D*mn the Gunny says , ' Now ya see , that's the Second thing I hate about the Army , They can't hear either!' At this point the two army types demand that they all take this matter outside for a little more discussion . . . Well about two minutes later , the Gunny returns back into the bar cool , calm and unharmed . So the bartender standing there dumbfounded asks him ' What happened to the two army types ? ' The Gunny just walks over and sits back down at the bar , takes another long drink from his beer and states . . . ' Ya see , that's the Third thing I hate about the Army , they always bring a Knives to Gunfights!'

Submitted by: Todd Sheaf

Mail Stories

Here are some entertaining post from the Sgt Grit Bulletin Board about mail. The wars change but the mail stays the same:

I heading over to dispersing one fine day in the battle square and was walking by the post office when the fine young lads were unloading the mail. It quickly reminded me of the old samsonite commercial, where the gorilla is tearing up the luggage. The postal kids had formed a chain to unload the quadcons faster and one kid threw a package to the other, the other kid wasn't ready yet so instead of just letting it drop to the deck, he instead drop kicked it across the compound. Being the level headed Gunny that I am, I proceeded to go to the young Marine and let him know what a huge knucklehead he was( but with much more colorful language).

At Staging in Camp Pendleton (Las Pulgas), just before heading Down South, I'd been away from my wife in South Florida already for about a month. She made me an applesauce cake with coconut - one of my favorites - and when it arrived the thing was full of ants. They had made a colony complete with tunnels, and eggs and the whole nine yards. We ate it all, every bit of the thing, ants, eggs, and everything. GunnyT

Mail has improved a lot in the past 3-4 years. Last summer, while in Iraq on my third deployment, I received not one, but TWO packages from previous deployments. One was from when I was stationed in Oki, had an FPO address, but was deployed to Kandahar in 2002. Three Years Late! The other was from when I was attached to 22nd MEU in 2004, and since our whole unit was augmented to the MEU, we had our own address. So go figure mail got lost and I received one of those packages a year later in Iraq! I still have two packages from my first 2 deployments that I never received, one had the "Band of Brother" DVD set, the other I think was just razor blades and baby wipes. Nick

When I was in Viet Nam my wife would send packages every two weeks...they went to FPO San Francisco then some how got to Da Nang then Dong Ha then out to us on the FSB...it was special to get packages...all the friends in the world..if you know what I mean...anyway I get 2 packages one day that were pretty badly crushed...one had the regular Kool aid and jerky and magazines in it...the other had a Bannana Cake in it that she baked fresh covered in foil and mailed.......it was green all over...badly molded on the outside but with little thought we ate it anyway...... Semper Fi, Mike

My best buddy while in the Marines, Bob Peavey, asked his mother to send me a bottle of Jim Beam for my birthday. This sweet lady bought a 5th of the bourbon on choice. She stuck it in a cardboard box and mailed it to me. About a week later, two "suits" came knocking on her door with a soaking wet cardboard box in their hands that was reeking of whiskey.

One of them said, "Ma'am, did you put a bottle of whiskey in the US Mail?" Without waiting for an answer, he went on, "Ma'am, it is against the law to mail liquor...but seeing that you were sending it to a Marine in Vietnam, we are going to look the other way this time. Please do not mail liquor in their original bottles. You did not hear this from me but we suggest that you maybe use plastic baby bottles to mail it." About two weeks later, I got two brand new pink baby bottles full of Jim Beam! The best part of the story is that about a week later my buddy, Bob, ended up assigned to my tank company and he & I shared those bottles of elixir together! John Wear

All Service Reunion

August 10-12 in Fremont Nebraska 3 days of Fun, Fellowship, and memories. Open to all no matter what service you were in or what conflict. If you need info contact me at dukeewh@cox.net

Wm. Duke Humphrey
Cpl U.S.M.C., Vietnam 68/69

Big Picture

Just finished your July 13 newsletter and noticed your request to hear from "Cold War" Marines. I have often wanted to write to see what place we had in the big picture since most of us were too young for Korea and were out well before Viet Nam. We don't rate even a National Defense Ribbon, can't join VFW, no Cal-vet or the like. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Corps at almost 70 years young. It was probably the best part of my life. Did 15 months on Okinawa keeping the Chinese in their place (I guess it worked!). Stateside at El Toro (M.P.), MCRD San Diego (M.P.) and then worked the brig, on to Camp Elliot to work the Naval Prison and get discharged. I was fortunate enough to make Sgt (E4), then become Cpl E4 on my final discharge, but I did wear 3 stripes until I got out and couldn't have been prouder. I'm not looking for any "atta boys". The 18 year old in me says I wish I would have seen combat at the same time the 70 year old in me says "thank God" I didn't! Semper Fi to all my brothers past and present, see you on the big grinder in the sky.

Dennis Warn
Cpl 1955 - 1959

You couldn't Do That

Received your newsletter this a.m.. Reminds me of July 14th, '51. We were out front of the lines about two miles on a mission to try to get some of the enemy for intelligence purposes. About 4:00 a.m, their time, 2:00 p.m., the 13th out time, it hit the fan. A firefight ensued and after about 15 minutes some had to leave the area, to get the wounded out of harms way. Tony P., from San Antonio and I had to get a 6'3' guy, about 210 lbs, back to our lines as he was unable to walk. Talk about a load, try humping something like that a couple of miles, running. Whew, tired you bet. At one our reunions, related the above to another in the company, and he said, "you couldn't do that as big as he was", and I replied, "you've never seen a Texan scared" and looking for something recently, found the letter to home relating the above. When he was back behind our lines and treated by our Corpsmen, it was then both of us found we were hit also. The Corpsman, started to address our wounds and said he could get us back to the ship, at least, but couldn't guarantee that we would come back to our unit. With that, told him "just keep wrapping". Had to write the folks, that morning the 14th, to try and get the letter to them before they got a telegram. And to show how one thinks in a situation like that, we were relieved the next day, for Corp. reserve for a month +, as it was the first time the division had been off line since they got there. Had we known of that you can bet your last buck that none of us would have volunteered to the above. But when you get tired of doing nothing and you have to volunteer to go on that type action, cause you've had prior combat experience, reflects how one thinks when they are subjected to that type environment, everyday. You don't think as you would in a normal environment.

SF
NC
1108487
C-1-1
Chesty's last regimental command.

Hospital Corpsmen Reunion

The reunion will take place in Branson, MO. October 26 thru 29, 2006 Contact for info is James D. Bishop - (904) 321-0410 any evening.or email at bishopjimbo@bellsouth.net. Thanks for all you do and the letter written. Some are very moving as I was an FMF Corpsman in Vietnam (66-67). Grew up over there - turned 20 in Nam. But life is still good. God bless our troops.

LOL !
JIM

Kimpo

I want to report that on February 10, 2006 James Walter (Jim) Douglas - HM 1 - Navy Hospital Corpsman - FMF - Korea - Passed Away.

"Jim" joined the Navy in 1950 and was a Registered Pharmacist Jim and I met at Boot Camp in San Diego and went to Korea together. We went to Pendleton and then to El Toro with a group of about 32 Naval Hospital Corpsmen. From there to Treasure Island in San Francisco. We were put on U. S. Navy twin engine Martin Mariners (! in the cargo hold for the trip!) to Hawaii. After the Islands of the Pacific and Japan, we were transported to Korea by the U.S. Army Air Corps. Jim was assigned to Baker Co, 1st. Armored Amphibians on Kimpo and I was in Able Co. Jim was sent to the 1st Marine Division as Pharmacist.

Jim Douglas and I left Korea in December 1953. He went back into the Pharmacy business and we were in contact for over 50 years. I shall miss him. Jim Douglas and I were proud to serve with the U.S.M.C..

Marion W. Cole Jr. HM1 - U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman - Korea Amarillo, Texas

Semper Fi.

One Reason Or Another

Hearing references to places like Camp Goettge, Barrett and Upshur brings back a lot of old memories. After boot camp at PISC in Oct54 we were FFT for Japan as replacements. Then we received word that the 1st Division was coming back to Camp Pendleton, and the 3rd Division was going to Okinawa. Needless to say our orders were changed and our group was sent Quantico for mess duty. We were sent to Camp Barrett where I really did luck out and I was became a." galley boy". As a galley boy I was actually a cooks helper and got to take an active part in the actual food preparation. Many mornings I started out by cracking 2 cases of eggs into a vat for scrambled eggs. Other times I took and dipped stale bread into the egg mixture for French toast. The food was good, well prepared, and usually plentiful. The Mess Sgt. was a T/Sgt. who had been in Nicaragua back in the 20'. I remember him wearing 7 hash marks. He had white hair and was a good man and a good nco. I also saw him on occasion chew out a 2nd Lt. in the chow line for having given a messman a hard time for one reason or another. I liked life in the mess hall enough that I tried to get into that mos with no success.

I eventually ended up in ITR in Camp Geiger. It was at this time that the policy was changed so that all boots went to ITR for 30 days before going on to other units in the FMF.

After two years in Marine Barracks, Naples, Italy upon my return to the states my orders read, MCS Quantico, Va. I was assigned to A Co. SDT ( Schools Demonstration Troops ). Our job was to put on field demonstrations of tactics and also some night time firing missions showing an MLR. We also demo'd the vertical envelopment concept many times for the big wigs from DC. This involved F8F Bearcats doing ground support, tanks, and am tracks.

This was in early 1958 and the HQ building was new. That was where we stood honor guards as before it had been in the PMO parking lot by the rr crossing going into town. Behind the HQ was where the power line trail began and we used to hike the length of it once a week.

MCS Quantico holds a lot of memories for me. I wonder if someone can tell me what eventually became of SDT as it no longer exists.

As for our guys today all I can say is that they are doing a great job and our Corps will continue proudly for years to come.

Ray Mezo
1516200
Sgt. 5aug54 to 4 aug58

461

Marines-young and old. If you served at any time since 12 Jan 57 in 461. This reunion will be held on the weekend of Jan 12, 13, 14, 2007 in Jacksonville, NC. Please contact Ed Bowers at aernavsarge@cox.net for further information. Or call me at 401-781- 5275 or if you're hard up for loot use snail mail at:' Ed Bowers
193 Grand Ave.
Cranston, RI 02905-3909

Father Rocheford

Marines,

I read with pride the article about Father Rocheford. I had the honor of serving with this wonderful individual. My final tour in the Cor[s was as the 22nd MEU Sergeant Major from 1988-1990. Father Rocheford was the MEU Chaplain. A finer man could not be found anywhere. The troups adored and respected him because he was one of us. During our deployment to the MED one of out helos crashed into the mountains after hitting electrical wires. All aboard were killed. Father Rocheford was involved in the recovery efforts. I will never forget him and I consoling each other after the recovery was completed. He is a compassionate man, a Marine and a friend.

Semper Fi
Pete Seagriff
SGTMAJ-USMC-RET

Resort To Eating

First, I agree with Old Sgt. Robert Nicks about being hungry. I served during peacetime with 1-3, but when you are training in PTA (Big Island, HI) with only one meal or less a day, even the omelet with ham or corned beef hash meals seemed pretty darned good. What I dreaded most was hot chow being delivered to the field. I was the senior Corporal in my company and ate last. After all the PVTs, PFCs, LCPLs and other CPLs went through the line, I'd only get a half scoop of rice and maybe a crust of bread if I was lucky (that was actually a Marine Corps B-day meal I had while at NTA in Okinawa). I'd pray for any MRE I could get my hands on and would resort to eating the coffee grinds and powdered cream I had saved from old MREs, but I sucked it up and made the best of it. All of the career Marines (Sgt's, SNCO's and Officers) would refuse to eat what was left and the Company Gunny would either go back to the chow hall for them or run into town and bring them Burger King. This happened more times than I care to recall.

This all changed one day when we were stopped during a several mile hump from one firing range to another-we'd been in MOP 3 all morning in the rising heat and the Gunny brought breakfast which consisted of runny eggs (contrary to what the cooks say, they do not finish cooking in the cans), spam and biscuits. The meal wasn't very appealing, and the hot sun and hiking had made most other Marines' appetites wither. Since I had to eat on the fly, and there was so much leftover, I made about a dozen runny egg and spam sandwiches and stuffed them in my cargo pockets.

I ate like a king that day and I still swear it was the best meal I ever had.

By the way, any meal tastes great with carbon, CLP and dirt for seasoning-Semper Fi!

Corporal Reed
C 1-3 '93-'97

Fit Perfectly

Sgt. Grit... Just wanted to pass along a little note for any of our fellow Marines who may own a Cadillac, not the black (or tan) ones over your feet, the big American made sled from Detroit. The Marine Corps Emblem Grill Ornament (Product # GR1344) will fit perfectly inside the Cadillac wreath in the center of the grill on most Caddys. Just remove the Caddy shield from the center of the wreath in the grill,and mount the emblem. I have had many comments from it. And to any who may read this, please remember to keep our men in women 'in harm's way' in your prayers. In closing, I remain...

"Semper Fidelis"
Dale "Mad Dog" Messmer
(GySgt., USMC, Ret.)

Sniper Rifle

Recently I heard about Marines in Ramadi recovering a Marine sniper rifle. When I was in Fallujah in 05-06 we lost several Marines to an insurgent using an M40A1 sniper rifle and video taping it while he picked Marines off one by one through a car window at a distant intersection. I am sure that this is not the same weapon but it helps all of us who watched that video in a pre patrol brief and helps us feel that we are cracking down on the insurgents who are using our own weapons against us and bringing a close to the deaths of many Marines who were killed by these weapons. Keep up the good work Gents! I'll be back with Blackwater in '07.

Semper Fi!
CPL Andrew R. Ingram
2/6 Weapons Company

After The Test

In 1957 I was in the test unit for transporting troops by helicopter. After the test unit was completed, I was transferred to the 5th Marines Headquarters Communications. I was with the T.A.C. (Tactical Air Control). We called in air strikes The only ones in action were in Tijuana. I enjoyed my tour but wished I could've helped in Vietnam. Every I am there will be a Marine Corps emblem showing somewhere. Although I was enlisted for a short time, I will always have Marine in me.

Private Joseph L. Dapore 1639486
Served August 1958-August 1962
MOS. 2531

Necessary Shots

Sgt Grit:

I read your newsletter everytime it comes in and I think it is outstanding. When I joined the Corps it was Sept of 52 and I went through boot camp at PI. My orders were cut to go to Korea and I hade received all my necessary shots. But the last week at PI my orders wre chandes to report to 8th & I where I served on the Silent Drill Team for a year. I would like to hear from outher Marines that served there at that tiem. From there I was sent to Naples, Italy as security for NATO and the 6th fleet. We were stationed in the Hotel Grilli in Namples along with Naval personnel and had decent chow. I ws stationed there for approximately 2 1/2 years and would like to hear stories from Marines stationed there during that time period. From there I was sent to Camp Pendleton for about a year where I was an instructor fro advanced combat training and would like to hear from any Marines that might have served with me. Keep up the good work Sgt Grit and God bless out troops.

Semper Fi
Howard A. Elgart

Sacrifice My Cocoa

With all this discussion going on about "C rations" I thought I might share making ice cream on the road to Hagaru in 1950. As one of the few left from Item Co. 3rd Batt. 5th Marines I became one of the walking wounded heading for Hagaru some 12 miles down the road. With the temperature hovering around 20 to 30 below we bid farewell to the little village of Udam-ni. Not for the first time we didn't know were our next meal was coming from, or when. I missed out on the "tootsy rolls" but I had always put away a stash of milk chocolate disks and cocoa packets inside my parka as an emergency supply. I had attached myself to the rear end of a jeep to pull me along in the two plus days it took to get to Hagaru. At one of the numerous stops along the way (courtesy of the Chinese) the jeep driver revealed that he had a case of canned milk he had liberated from somewhere, and in the absence of all those good things found in c-rations like lima beans, and greasy sausage patties, frozen canned milk sounded pretty good. This was when I volunteered to "sacrifice" my cocoa to mix with that frozen canned milk. To the four or five of us around that jeep that day we were the envy of the entire column, if they had known. A Baskin Robbins feast up on the frozen Chosin

Cpl. Don Geddes
699772, Platoon 37,
10 July, 1948 M.C.R.D. San Diego
(Are any of you alive out there?)

I Found Out

I served in the Marine Corps from August 1, 1960 to May 31, 1980 (reserve time May 1960). I retired as a Gunnery Sergeant. I am pretty much of a loner and was never much at communications or being in charge of people and had the same problem in civilian life.

As I look back about 90 percent of my memories are gone Of those left (naturally 10 percent) about 80-85 percent of those are bad

For almost 35 years I have told people that I was in a helicopter that crashed on September 16, 1966 at 12:45.

About two years ago for some unknown reason I decided to try and find my crew chief and pilots.

I found my crew chief, Ron Luks, and he told me a complete different version than I remembered.

I found out that it was on September 17, 1966 about 12:30 (is this correct - not sure once again)

I found out that our helicopter did a complete rotation before crashing

I found out that we were brought down by mortar fire and not by small arms (rifles and machine guns)

I found out that he was medivaced.

I found out that he located the survivors of the hill at Rock Pile and went to one of their reunions (bless him).

I now tell everyone to call me Gunny and it makes me proud. It took me almost 30 years (1966-1995) before I could display the Marine Corp emblem on a hat I do not wear decorative shirts with different sayings but that Marine Corps hat I wear is something I am proud of!

Thank you for your time in reading this
Respectfully
Gunny

"The Grinder"

I have a concern that I have only seen mentioned a couple of times in the last 5 years.

The hallowed ground "The Grinder" being used by non Marines. When my Son graduated November 1999 I heard numerous announcements that civilians should not use the grinder and after the graduation I saw at the least hundreds of non Marines use the grounds as a short cut.

I don't know about you but when I consider all the "HERO'S" that were trained on the grinder I get kind of mad when the rules aren't followed by the family members of those who have earned the right to walk there.

Don Jensen, CPL
VN 66-68
2214302

I Left So Much

I'm a Viet Nam Vet 68-69 2nd Bat. 7 th Marines. Every year the month of August I get depressed because that was the first month I had to help carry the corpses of a few of my brothers. I was also in an operation where a medic chopper was shot down and we couldn't get the guys out. The chopper was fully engulfed in flames. I can still hear the screams coming from within the chopper. I'm so ashamed that I haven't been to the memorial D.C. I just don't have the courage. I feel at times that I don't belong back here in the states. I left so much back in Nam. The images are still in my mind and very upsetting and the sounds of crying in pain I will never stop hearing. I live near the West Point Military Academy and once in awhile hueys fly overhead. Oh the sounds of the rotors and the hueys flying in formation brings me back to Nam. Sometimes I just don't fit in and people say I don't have a sense of humor.

Semper Fi to all ! God Bless
Ed Peters

New MCL Detachment

Are you ready to form a Marine Corps League Deatachment on the Outer Banks?

If you are, contact:
We need a minimum of 20 Marines and/or Corpsmen to obtain a charter for a Marine Corps League Detachment here on the Outer Banks. I will hold all applications/checks until we've reached that minimum. At that point, we'll have a meeting to discuss application for a charter, incorporation and other organizational requirements

Let's get started... We've got the numbers! Do we have the Get Up and GO? Let me hear from you today. SEMPER FI

Doug Wendling
252-457-0409
dwcustomclubs@msn.com

In My Face

I find it a shame that I work for people who sit here a enjoy the freedoms that ALL military personnel are prepared and some do lay their lives on the line and can talk bad about the military. I was an active duty female Marine for over thirteen years, I got out in 1996 on a medical because of my back. My supervisors have thrown it in my face like it is a bad thing to have been a female Marine. Seems a shame that they have their first amendment rights to do that because there were and are others willing to fight for them to have that right. They should hang their heads in shame. I still hold my head up BECAUSE I am a Marine until my last breath.

Sgt. Marshall
Las Vegas, NV

Bubble Heads

Sgt Grit,

I would like to say thank you for publishing this news letter. I have been reading it for some time now. It brings back many memories.

While stationed at the Submarine Base in San Diego on Cadre Duty (87- 90) I would often get so frustrated with the "bubble heads" that I had to get away from them. I would hang a sign on my door that said "Gone To Get A Breath Of Green Air." I would then drive over to MCRD and just walk around or sit and watch the Recruits and their Drill Instructors. Just being with the Marines there for a short time would put everything back into perspective and I would then go back over to the Sub Base and take care of the "bubble heads."

I wish to thank all of the Marines who are serving now in all areas of the world and their families for the sacrifices they are making. They are allowing me and my family to remain free and to enjoy the privileges we have here in America. May God bless and keep ALL of them safe and may He bless and keep America safe. Gary L. COON
MSgt USMC (Ret)
1970-1994

No Borders

Dear Sgt. Grit;

Didn't know where to post this story so I thought I'd email it to you. Me and a friend were fishing the other day and when we were done we were at my car putting our gear away, when a older gentleman came up to us with his wife in tow and started asking the usual questions.( what are we fishing for, how are they biting,etc.) Then he looks at my bumper stickers, and my "Once a Marine ,Always a Marine hat and hollers out SEMPER FI!

Then he showed me HIS hat and he was a retired British Royal Marine! It's nice to see that brotherhood has no borders.

Patrick Riley 0311
1977-1983
I 3/9- B 1/9

Retribution

Sgt Grit,

I am only a Marine Reservist, (1958-1964), that has been frustrated since 1983 that no major effort has been undertaken to account for 241 brave souls and brothers, murdered in Lebanon, by the same groups of terrorists that have opened up this latest tragedy in the mid-east. Here is hoping we get some indirect retribution

Henry Eichenbaum
USMCR 1958-1964

Corpsman

I remember in Hospital Corps School in San Diego and my first duty station, the Emerg. Dept @ Bethesda Naval hospital...seeing these senior Corpsman wearing a rack of ribbons. One always fascinated me throughout my Naval Career. It was a ribbon, a piece of cloth like any other yet centered was the EGA.

Being a boot I asked a Sr. Chief what it meant, he could not look at me. He had the thousand yard stare having seen the elephant. "Young doc, you earn the right to wear the EGA only after being with the Corps in combat. I've been shot at and missed, sh!t on and hit, I hope you never earn the right to wear it."

I went to the fleet, made second class (E-5) and became an HM-2 (SW). I did not like squids. So I crossdecked from a sea tour to a sea tour to become an 8404, Field Medical Service HM with the FMF.

I did two tours with the Corps, Schwab w 3rd Mar Div and then with the First Combat Engineer Bn, 1st Marine Div, Task Force Ripper for Desert Shield/Storm.

My uniform displayed a Navy Com from the I Mef CG, a CAR and most importantly, a EGA on my "I was there" ribbon.

Now I am an RN in the Emergency Department. You can take the Corpsman out of the Corps, but you can't take the Corps out of the Corpsman.

I live and work in the San Francisco Bay area where people dislike the military. H&ll I do not like war but liked combat...

My point is I support the troops and still mourn the loss of Warrant Officer Diefenbaugh and LCPL Thomas from the first sand war.

I proudly wear my t shirts with the EGA displaying that I was a FMF DOC. Some people give me sh!t, former Marines see me and strike up a conversation and at times we both end up hugging and weeping.

In summation, I ate with, bled with, shat with, fought alongside Marines and had pledged my soul to their salvation. If anyone wants to take my EGA off of me, go for it, but stand the _(&^% by, I earned mine, not as a REMF, not as a pogue but as a combat FMF Hospital Corpsman.

Semper Fi,
Mike Pasley (former HM-2 SW)

Finger Waving

Sgt. Grit,

When I returned from boot at PI, I found my Grandmother had had a stroke. While she was unable to speak coherently, the site of my "dress greens" sent her into a tirade of gibberish, and finger waving. It was the 'Nam era. I removed the EGA from my left lapel, handed it to her, and assured her everything would be fine. She wore it from that day until two years later, when she passed. I buried that Emblem with her. Semper Fi is not just a phrase used for God, Corps, and Country. It is also for the family, and guidance, that made us become Marines in the first place. Any family member that wears the emblem is entitled; they made us what we are.

Naylor
CPL of Marines, '72 - '77.

A Few Calendar Contest Participants

Even if they didn't make it to the calendar, these entries are still winners in our book!

http://grunt.com/scuttlebutt/events/calendarpart.asp

hello Sgt Grit and Staff...

This picture i am sending you is a picture of my boyfriend. the picture was taken in bahrain, near saudi arabia. it was taken in september of 2004, right after cleaning the weapons. i believe that this is a 249 saw that william is holding. everyone comments this picture because they all say that he looks like the ''terminator''. right now, william is currently serving in iraq. he is scheduled to return back home to n.y. in september or october 2006. william and all of the other marines and all service branches are always in my thoughts and prayers!

thank you for looking at this photo!

sincerely, victoria surozenski

Sgt. Grit,

The attched photo was taken in October 1982, while I was with HMM-261, the Beirut Bulls. We were the first marine contingency to go to Beirut aboard the USS Guam. I took this picture while riding in a Jeep with the XO, and the Flightline NCOIC of the squadron. At the time I was a Sergeant, and detachment NCOIC for the Hueys that were assigned to HMM-261. As we passed by this building I thought the American flag flying in the breeze made for a great shot, I had just enough time to grab my camera and shoot. Little did any of use know that exactly one year later this building would be blown to rubble along with the souls of 241 of our finest warriors. I appreciate your consideration in reviewing this photo.

Semper Fi,

Ken Anderson
GySgt USMC

Grit-
Hey it's Meehan. Here's the pic Tucker took after I got my hand blown apart in an IED attack in Lutafiyah, Iraq. Everybody was losing their minds because we thought we were about to get ambushed, so I started cracking jokes, and in the middle of that, Tuck snaps my picture! They got me pretty good- lost two fingers and have a simple post for an index finger on my trigger pulling side. What they didn't realize is, I can kick ass one handed! (hope you like the pic)

Sergeant Richard Meehan USMC
Scout Sniper Platoon, 2/24
OIF II-2

Thought I would forward this picture from Vietnam Circa 1969. This was taken in the area of tactical responsibility of the Combined Action Platoon 3-4-1 . The village was Long Ho Ha about 5 miles west of Hue on the Perfume River. We had just shot a small dear in the jungle at the edge of the village and the villagers were standing around checking it out. It made a fine village feast later on that day. I am the Marine standing by the villagers. Not bad for a 37 year old photo taken with a old Kodak Instamatic. The photo has good enough resolution to enlarge to around 5 by 6 with good resolution.

Don’t really expect to win anything but thought other Marines would get a kick out of us dear hunting in Vietnam along with a little Viet Cong on the side.

Semper Fi

Short Rounds

Nothing less attractive than the beef bi-products (arteries & fat) in a C-Rat can of Beef w/Spice Sauce. S. Munoz, USMC (Ret) 71-97

This is another letter about the Everly Brothers I was in PLATOON 191 San Diego when the brothers were in boot camp. The DIs the first week would make sing wake up little susie. Jim Leake

One of our Marine Corps League members of Robert Windle Detachment # 1031 passed away on July 4, 2006. He was known as "Full Bird Corporal" Dick Thaxton and he passed without our knowledge until one week later. Please take the time to put him in your prayers as he was not afforded the honor due him.

Semper Fi
Steven L. Skaggs
3/8 2X BEIRUT VET

Marine Corps Pick-Up

Hey There Sarge;

The one outstanding memory of Korea came during the spring of 1951 - I opened a box of "K" rations and found a pack of "Lucky Strike Green." As I remember "Lucky Strike Green" went to war in or about 1942. Nothing like a fresh cigarette.

E. H. Tate
Gysgt (ret), USMC 1944 -1965

"For the uninitiated - 'beadwindow' is and 'OG' military term, meaning that the information is not to be publicly discussed or to be discussed over an unsecure communication modem."( August 26, 2005 )

Semper Fi,
Michael B. Parlor Major (Retired)

The article the father wrote about his son, is heart warming. I am glad there is still " Gung-Ho" in the Corps.

Cpl. Neil R. Nugent
A Canadian that proudly served in the USMC.

Sgt Grit
The rock and roll group the Essex were Marines stationed at Camp LeJeune 1962. James E. Leake

Thanks for all your good work to show the world how wondrous our United States Marine are. Standing Tall Semper Fi L/Cpl Thomas A Leigh-Kendall 1956 to 1963

H&ll, lets all wear the E. G. & A. - the diaperheads will have fits trying to figure out who's a Marine and who isn't! John R. "Doc" Nagel, HMCS/IDT/USN

Save Water Shower with a Marine

USMC

When it Absolutely Positively Must...