|
Sgt Grit Newsletter - March 2, 2006
Good day Sgt Grit
Just a short note to all there in the states
I am a soldier here in South Africa severing in the SANDF and the
old SADF I read your letters and I wish my own people are as
PROUD of us as you are of your Lads
God bless each one and may they come home safely
Hutch Clp Transvaal Scottish Reg SA ARMY
Got Your Back
To always have your brother's back.
Recently I've read a few stories about the generosity of
Marines. I can't begin to recall the amount of money I've spent
over the years picking up lunches and dinners. It's always met
with the same response from the waitresses. They can't believe
you're serious. The last time I remember was a young couple in
an Olive Garden. He in Blues and her in a nice dress. I asked
for the waitress and explained the tradition. She said, "but
they had a bottle of wine too", I said it didn't matter and
eventually she carried out the task. I asked for a napkin and
simply wrote "whether you know it or not, your back is always
covered in the presence of Marines, Semper Fi". Then quietly,
and anonymously left with my wife. My wife has accepted this as
everyday life and once picking me up at the airport, after my
flight was delayed, came out to see what looked like a ticket on
her windshield, since the meter had expired. As we got closer
it was a scrap of paper that said, "I saw the EGA on the window,
and that the meter had run out, I put in what change I had, I
only hope it was enough till you get back, Semper Fi". To the
young couple of a previous newsletter, the brotherhood lives
forever, and while Andrew is away, if you are recognized as
such, other Marines will watch your back till he returns. And
it's not about you being grateful, everyone knows you are, it's
a privilege to tend to a brother and the handing down of a
tradition. It's a family thing, and you are in the family.
Semper Fi.
JChristopher
This Guy Leans
One of the coolest things I had happen to me while I was in, was
home on leave around Christmas, 2002, hadn't planned on taking
leave, but had to come back for a court hearing concerning an
accident I had been in before enlisting. Anyways, my buddies in
29Palms had got me into riding quads, (you either ride, drink,
or make babies down there!) I had worn my Blues for this
hearing, I'm standing outside of Rainier Honda in Spanaway, WA,
holding my baby, (born in, you guessed it, 29!) and this white
work van was sitting at the light. All of a sudden this guy
leans out of the window and yells at the top of his lungs" OORAH
CORPORAL!" Well that just made me feel all warm and fuzzy
inside so I proceed to return with a motivated OORAH which set
the baby to crying and to which my wife muttered "f@#$ing crazy
Marines." But don't get me wrong, my wife takes extreme pride in
the fact of being a Marine Wife.
CLW3
00-04
ESD Eng & PMO Hq Bn 29Palms CA
Sgt Ted "Sas" Sasiadek
Concerning Sgt Ted "Sas" Sasiadek, I have a little information
about him. I was stationed at MCRD SDiego from 1977 through
1982, first as a DI then served on the base. Sasiadek did live
on the base, he had no family. He spent at least 20 years in
the Corps and another 30 in civil service. He lived in a room
just to the right side of the arch in the General's Builing
(Base HQ). Every morning he would air his bed sheets out on the
bushes to the side of his room. Most everyone watched over him,
being retired twice with no family a lot of women wanted his
money. I got Sas to talk several times, wonderful stories about
being aboard a ships detachment on a battleship, holystoning the
decks. I happened to be the Staff Duty NCO for the Base one
night in the HQ building when Sas came by, we greeted each
other. Sas noticed I was not wearing a side arm. He said, "you
on Duty?" and I replied I was. He then stated, "What the h&ll
is a Marine doing on duty without a gat.! I will talk to the
General about this." He then went on his way. He did talk to
the General the next morning, seems he could just walk in any
time he wanted, and he did. He was very well respected and
loved. I wish we could have sat him down and recorded all he
wanted to talk about. A lot of history is now gone. The best
memory of Sas I have is every time you saw him and asked, "Hi
Sas, how is it going?" Sas would always put both arms above his
head, hands grasped and shake them like a prize fighter that
just won the bout. I am glad he was able to spend his last
years around the Marines he loved so much. I tell stories about
him often, he will be truly missed.
Stephen A. Mangiameli
MSgt (1971-1992) 2770790
Son of a Marine
Father of a Marine
Married to a Marine
Semper Fi to all my brothers and sisters
Sgt Grit
I was the former Director of Sea School at MCRD San Diego from
May 79 - Jan 81. Sgt Sach (as he was referred to) lived in a
small room between Sea School and the Depot Chapel. Sea School
now is the Hqtrs for 12th District.
His responsibilities were to clean the CG's Office area with
assistance from the Sea School Students. He used the Head
facilities inside Sea School to shower etc...Most of the time he
could be found on the 2d deck of bldg 31 in the old barber shop!
He always wore a black dress glove on one of his hands. He was
a very small man in statue but was always ready to provide a
"Sea Story". He liked to tell of his duties aboard a Battle
Ship during the early 1930's. He had been a successful boxer
and told many stories of his fights. His room was really
something special. He had two old metal wall lockers that were
always ready for inspection. He had pictures of many General
and senior officers signed on his bulkhead. He loved when my
Gunny or 1stSgt would hold inspection as he called it. He even
got me to look at his wall locker display a couple of times. He
always referred to me as "Skipper"....He was a vegetarian and
the secretary's and Marines were always giving him fruit and
vegetables.
I understand that during BGen Kerr's tenure as the CG, Sgt Sach
was mugged outside the Depot and was injured. BGen Kerr had him
moved off the Base and placed in a retirement facility.
Wish I could offer more....but that is all I remember.
S/F
M.A. Einsidler
Col USMC(Ret)
I was stationed at MCRD during the years 59-60 in Depot Motor
Transport. At the same time, Sgt SAS was living in a little
room in Depot Headquarters. His room was immaculate and open
to all. I used to pull duty driver about once ever two weeks.
He liked to tell the story about how he gave 2nd Lt Wallace M.
Green a traffic citation in Puerto Rico. At that time, the
Marine Corps was going from 13 man squad drill to 8 man squad
drill and had no manuals for it. Sgt SAS was graceful enough to
teach a small cadre of instructors for the base, because he
remembered how to do the drill. You could see him every noon
shadow boxing in front of Depot HQ, except Mondays. That was
the day he washed his clothes, the old way, in the wash racks.
Once, he started going with a WM MSgt. He told me he had to
break it off. She wanted to spend too much time off base. When
I asked for clarification, he told me that she wanted to go into
town (San Diego) once a week for dinner and that was just too
much for him.
Sgt SAS was definitely one of the highlights of my 20+ years.
Semper Fi
Art Kidd
Capt of Marines
1957-77
RVN 64 (with then Maj Al Gray), 65-66, 69-70
Grit,
Not sure if the is the same "old breed" I saw just about every
day running and "shadow" boxing on the MCRD San Diego in 1962. I
was at MCRD from November 61 to December 62. Guard Company. I
could set my watch (while at gate 2 0800 to 1220 watch,) as the
legendary "old corps" Marine working on his boxing style. Never
had the opportunity to meet him personally, only saw him working
out. As a young L/Cpl I was not about to interrupt his workout.
Semper Fi
L/Cpl Ken Wheatley
1958 to 1962
Marines at Work
Actual footage of the "Big Green Machine" doing what it does
best ! without the networks slant
Subject: India Company - push into Fallujah
Home video of India Company's push into Fallujah last year. If
the link doesn't work, cut and paste to the web address.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2751771528513677119&q=3%2F1+fallujah
Got Thru It
Hi Sarge....This is a small world. Went thru Boot at "Dago" in
42. Had a platoon buddy from Michigan. We got sent out to Camp
Elliot and wound up in the 11th Replacement Battalion. Shortly
we were bound for the South Pacific.
On arrival at Noumea I was disembarked and sent out to Mission
St. Louis to join the First Raiders. He stayed aboard and went
on to the 2nd Div in New Zealand.
He was lucky at Tarawa. Got thru it ok, but at Pelilue got his
shoulder blown away and spent 18 months in hospitals. I was
more fortunate, surviving 3 campaigns, to be floored with
Malaria, declared not fit for combat and spent the rest of my 29
months out there in the 4th Base Depot on Banika in the
Russells.
Recently my wife and I were paired with another couple for golf
down here in Florida. You guessed it. It was my old buddy
Dale! 62 years peeled away fast and we are now fast friends
again.
Once a Marine...Always a Marine.
Semper Fi, Good Buddy. And may God Bless our people over there
in harm's way.
GYSGT H. Jones
USMC '42-'46
The Ones Closest
Sgt Grit,
Thank you so much for this news letter. As a former woman
Marine, I am so proud of all the women that serve, but the ones
closest to my heart are the women of the Corps. There are only a
few of us, but we really give out a lot of heart and soul to
our beloved Corps. My experience as a female in the Corps was
truly wonderful. Something that I plan to pass on to my two
daughters. There is so much one can learn from the Marines in
general. Our courage, honor and commitment are only a few values
of what people can learn from us. We truly are apart from the
rest. I got out in 2003 and I was planning on joining again but
my husband was already in Iraq at the time. I truly miss it. It
was something that I will never forget. Thank you to all the men
and women who are serving. The future is looking up to you.
Thank you
Cpl. Sierra
1999-2003
3/8
Just wanted to let those of you who do not know that 3rd
Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment has a web site (www.38beirut.org)
For those of you interested. I was attached to them as the S-2
for two deployments to Beirut in '82-'83 and again in '84. We
usually do something every summer and for the Marine Corps
Birthday we try to get together at Cookies Tavern in Philly.
Take a look see and come join us. The web site has all the
details.
SEMPER FI
SKAGGS
S-2
Thru The Tears
Recently my wife and I took a Carnival Cruise to Jamaica, Grand
Cayman and Mexico. One night we had dinner and decided to go to
the lounge to check out the show. The ships Director of
Entertainment, Jason, was great a usual during his opening talk.
He started talking about our men over seas and fighting to
freedom in Iraqi. He then asked for everyone who had served his
country to stand and be recognized - Marines, Army, Air Force,
Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines. I stood and noticed a lot
of gray hair as well. My wife grabbed my hand and held it tight.
Being a VietNam vet this is the first time I had ever been
recognized. The next request was for all Doctors, Nurses and
Paramedics. My wife stood next to me. I lost it. She just
squeezed my hand and leaned over and told me she was proud of
me. She know of my loosing it at times when things come up about
VietNam vets.
The next day there was a talk about what we needed to do when we
returned to Galveston and the procedure to disembark. After the
talk Jason said he and others of the staff would be by the stage
if anyone had any questions or comments. I got in line. I wanted
to thank him for the kind recognition of the service men the
night before. When it was my turn I was able to thank him for
the tribute the night before I lost it. Thru the tears and
shaking, all I could get out was, "I'm a VietNam Vet". He did
not say a word. He reached out and gave me a strong hug and
again said thanks. I have always been 5'11", however, being
almost 65 I am down to about 5'9 7/8". I walked away with pride
and feeling at least 6'.
To all me brothers Semper Fi and thanks for the ones before and
the ones that will follow. Marine for ever!
John Halpin
VietNam 66-67
Frequently Stopped
I don't know why but the other I remembered something funny.
Back when each service had their own base stickers I had been
transferred from Camp Pendleton to Fitzsimmons Army Medical
Center in Denver Co. for Bio-Med Repair School. Fitz was also a
school for MP's and we were frequently stopped because of our
Navy or Marine Corps base stickers. Mine had PO3 since I was an
HM3 at the time.
A young guard stopped me and looked at my base sticker confused.
He then asked what PO3 stood for and I replied Petty Officer
Third Class and he said. "What kind of Officer, sir?"
I knew I had a live one so I said. "Son, do you know what a
warrant officer is in the Army?"
He nodded his head. "Yes sir, I do."
So I barked. "Then you better know what a Petty Officer is in
the Navy!" As I drove pass he saluted and I nodded.
Needless to say I was very careful for the next few weeks when
entering the base.
Semper Fi
I Can't Hear You
Greetings again Grit,
I guess it's about time for me to put in my 2 cents about the
1962 Plt. 240 Series (240,241and 242) at MCRD San Diego.
I was in the middle Plt., 241. The Series was located in some
now gone Quonset Huts located on the grinder not far from
Pendleton Hall. The area is now grass and palm trees, and the
old 2nd Bn. mess hall was right behind where the reviewing stand
and bleachers for graduation are currently located. We formed in
July, and graduated 13 weeks later.
Two things to remember about this period that most people don't
realize is that the WWII enlistees were coming up on 20, and
that 1962 was the last year for the change from the old rank
structure (no L/Cpl) to the current structure. Consequently,
there were still Marines with the old chevrons without the
crossed rifles running around. The deal was if you were an SSGT
(old structure), and didn't get selected for SSGT (E-6), you
reverted to SGT (E-5). This worked for all the ranks in the old
structure, get selected up, or revert to the next lowest rank.
Needless to say, there were some unhappy folks. One of my Drill
Instructors, (Bronze Star, Iwo Jima) was not selected for E-6,
so not only did he have to revert to SGT, but had to move from
the SNCO Quarters to the SGTs Quarters. Not a good night for the
platoon I assure you.
Two of my three Drill Instructors had served in both WWII and
Korea. It wasn't until a few years later one night when I was
trying to crawl under my helmet that I really realized that they
were trying to teach us to survive.
The Series Cdr. Was a 1stLt. Gretkowski. Now this guy was tall.
When I was at the position of attention, looking straight ahead,
I was looking at the Marine Corps emblem in his Battle Pin (tie
clasp to you newbies), and I am 5'10".
I well remember the hike to Camp Mathews (now UCSD at Torey
Pines). All three Bns had series going to the range, but 2nd Bn
was in the rear, and my platoon was tail end Charlie for the
whole march, so as you can guess, we either ran or stood still
for the whole way. The only neat thing was that the movie "The
Making Of A Marine" was being filmed, and at the end of the
march, we were lined up along the top of the mesa, and on
command all three series ran screaming down into the arroyo. But
Mathews was a nice break from the Grinder, and other than Little
Agony, and locker box drill, the Drill Instructors mostly let
the PMIs take over. I almost took off an ear doing locker box
drill. I doubt they do locker box drill now. Sleeping in pyramid
tents, with the cold fog coming in at night off the ocean, up
before dawn, chow and off to the range, great times.
After two very fast weeks, we were back at the Depot, boots
bloused, and collars unbuttoned, and getting saltier by the day.
About this time, were marching to evening chow. You know the
point, where the platoon moves as one entity, and the Drill
Instructor doesn't even have to call cadence. Well, a Uh-34D had
landed over by the flag pole, and as we marched, everyone was
trying to get a better look, so we got out of step. The Drill
Instructor called: Plt. Halt, Left Face, Front Two Ranks Down,
On My Command "Hello Helicopter", "I Can't Hear You, Again". The
Crew Chief was sitting in the door, and wound up on the ground
he was laughing so hard. We stayed in step the rest of the way
to chow.
In those days, all graduations for all three Bns were at the
Base Theater on Friday morning, after which, the series were
transported to ITR at San Onofre. My platoon was not scheduled
to go until the next week, so we were in kind of a casual status
for a few days. We had only one Drill Instructor, and since we
had graduated, things were pretty easy. The last great thing I
remember was my platoon was on the street waiting to go
somewhere. In the meantime one of the Drill Instructors from 242
had picked up a new platoon and had them in the huts adjacent to
ours. He was doing "on the street", "in the huts" with them, and
they weren't moving fast enough. He gave them "in the huts", and
somehow, in the process, the door to the hut got closed. The
doors to the Quonset Huts opened inward. Well, the Drill
Instructor hollered "on the street", the people in the hut hit
the door, the door wouldn't open, and door and frame wound up
across the street up against the opposite hut. The Drill
Instructor was heard to remark that he thought he had them where
he wanted them.
Semper Fi
Tom Gafford
MSGT. Thomas A. Gafford USMC (Ret.
1946140/0811/0812/0369 RVN 68-69
Lady Leatherneck
I have always loved that particular term as a Woman Marine,
something that touches me deep in my soul...the duality of those
two words, lady-for I have been to taught to hold myself with
dignity and honor...leatherneck-I am "tougher" than most women
for I have been steeled by my brothers, who have taught me to
run like the wind, cuss like a sailor on shore leave, dig a
trench, pitch a tent and shoot a rifle straight and true. I've
learned things most women will never experience or understand -
all because they didn't dare to be one of THE FEW, one of THE
PROUD. I am so glad I took that challenge in 1980 because I
would not be the human being I am today. I walk with pride. I
know my heart is true. My spirit is strong- for it has been
molded by the USMC! I have so many stories, but I doubt you
have enough space for these foolish wonderful memories. Suffice
it to say it was the best time of my life. Thank you for a
wonderful website and I always look forward to the latest email
and your catalogs too.
God, Country, Corps!Sgt. Olga R.Castillo (Sgt "C")1980-1992
My Favorites
Sgt Grit:
I really enjoy reading the stories of past, present and future
Marines. I have been out of the Marine Corps for about 15 years
now but the pride will always be there
I recently order a video on Women marine Corps Boot camp and as
I watch that I was reliving something that I had done years
earlier but it didn't seem that long.
I am now a nurse and the women I work with are always amazed
when I talk about the things that we use to do in the Corps. I
am a big Gung Ho Semper Fi.
I am always proud of all the young kids that go into the
Military after High School. But the Marines are always going go
be my Favorites. My best friend from high school son is joining
the Marines. She was fearful at first but I told her not to
worry he is joining the Best family anyone could have.. I
regret every day of leaving my Marine Corps career, but nursing
is almost as rewarding, and Once a Marine always a Marine..
If your ever driving down the road and see a Dodge Dakota with
more Marine corps magnets and stickers that Sgt Grit you will
know that it was me. I'm as proud today and the day that I
walked down the Parade Deck. My friends always say why the
Marine, I say I always have to be the best and everyone knows
that the Marines are the Best of the Best.
Thanks for letting me ramble
Semper Fi
Theresa Bonuchi (Piatt)
Lcpl/0151
LftcLant, Norva
It Still Amounts
This is just a small note and comment. I am a retired Corpsman
with 21 years, three of these was with MAG 26. Probably some of
the best duty I had being FMF. I met a Staff Sgt at that time,
now a retired E-8. We become very good friends, still to day,
we both retired in 1972... He did me a great honor by naming his
one son after me. Just thought I would pass this on as it still
amounts to Semper fi
Thanks
Bob (doc) Tillman
Under My Breath
After completing boot camp and ITR in Sept 71 I was sent to
Memphis to Aviation training where I served with WM's, Sailors
and the Coast Guard.
One nite a few of my friends and I hit the e-club for a few
drinks. The place was pretty crowded but can't remember the
occasion. Anyway we heard this loud commotion and turned around
just in time to see this wm jump up and pop this sailor between
the eyes knocking his a@@ completely out with one punch.
From then on the only definition I had for a bam was bad a**
Marine and if I call any WM a BAM it was under my breath.
Semper fi Billy R Helms 1971-1980
Shellback
In response to Sgt DeSpain's inquiry regarding shellbacks in
the Feb. 16 Sgt Grit Newsletter, being one of the "old breed," I
can speak from personal experience.
In 1944, when WWII had already been underway for two and a
half years, I enlisted in the USMC one week following my 18th
birthday. After boot camp at Parris Island, advanced training
at LeJeune and Pendleton, 11,000 of us Marines along with navy
crew set sail from San Diego aboard the U. S. S. General O. H.
Ernst as my shellback certificate reads "bound south for the
Equator and for the war zone, WWII, enroute to set the 'Rising
Sun.'"
On December 23, 1944 we crossed the International Date
Line, and no one escaped the initiation. First, we sat in a
chair to get our hair cut--some with a streak shaved from ear to
ear, others from forehead to back of head, or any crazy design
desired by the self-appointed barber. Then we were dumped into
a vat of water. Each time we came up for air, we were asked,
"What are you?" And until we answered "SHELLBACK," we were
continually put under again. (One poor guy nearly drowned until
some sympathetic soul finally yelled, "Say shellback!") Next,
we landed on a greased board where shellbacks were lined up on
either side with leather straps, boards, etc. to slap each
person's back side as he slid down the board on his stomach.
Fortunately, I slid down so fast that they only hit where I had
been. After surviving the initiation, we became trusty
shellbacks. My framed shellback certificate is still proudly
displayed on the wall of my home.
I went on to Guadalcanal and then island hopped through the
Solomon Islands toward Okinawa--routing out any surviving
Japanese, searching and securing each island, and encountering a
few battles along the way. This was about the time my fellow
Marines were raising the American flag on Mt. Subirachi, Iwo
Jima.
On Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945 (ironically, April Fool's
Day) at 0830 hours, my 1st Marine Division, along with some of
the 6th and 2nd, began going ashore in landing crafts on
Okinawa. The big guns and carrier planes had plummeted the
island for several days prior to the invasion. By nightfall
some 90,000 ground and aviation Marines, their supplies, and
vehicles had landed. We fought across Okinawa throwing grenades
and "womb bombs" into caves where the Japanese were hiding.
Sugar Loaf Hill changed hands 14 times before May 18th when the
Stars and Stripes were raised. Okinawa was the last Japanese
stronghold and proved to be one of the costliest battles in the
Pacific for casualties.
Unfortunately, I was unable to return with my platoon.
Instead, I had to be carried back to the tent set up as a field
hospital and then was transported by hospital ship to Kaneoha
Naval Hospital in Hawaii, where I spent four months. After the
Japanese surrender, my long-awaited return to the U. S. occurred
on the Matsonian Luxury Liner, which had been converted into a
hospital ship. My bunk was located in the former swimming pool
where bunks were stacked five high. After coming under the
Golden Gate Bridge at San Francisco and disembarking, I--along
with many other war-weary Marines suffering physical and mental
casualties of war--were stationed at the Klamath Falls Marine
Barracks Hospital in the mountains of southern Oregon. Some
recovered and went back to duty; others received a medical
discharge.
I still wear my USMC 1st Division cover regularly, and my
heart never ceases to swell with pride when a stranger walks up,
extends a hand, and says, "Thanks for your service, SIR." Now,
at age 81, I still remember my shellback initiation ceremony as
if it were yesterday and regret that some of today's younger
Marines have not encountered such a memorable experience.
Semper Fi,
John S. Smith, WWII USMC, 1st Div.
Chaplain, MCL Kenneth Black Detachment # 1166
Athens, Alabama
The story that the Marine had about becoming a shellback from a
Pollywog, had me laughing. I was on board a LST doing the
Liberty Run out of Okinawa in 1979 when we crossed the equator.
They woke us up at 0400, made us put our clothes on inside
out/backwards. Made to crawl on our hands and knees to the chow
hall, where we were fed cold purple noodles. All the time being
harassed and "flogged", smeared with grease, and led like dogs
with chains around our necks.
On our knees again, and taken out on the deck, where we were
to retrieve our "ticket" (a raw oyster) out of a urinal that was
flowing with "the stream of life". Our ticket had to stay in our
mouth, and when we got to the stern of the ship, we were greeted
by the King and the Queen. After told what our "crime" was, we
were flogged and had to eat the cherry out of the Kings belly
button. (And this guy did not adhere to the Navys weight control
program).
The final test was the tube of 55 gallon barrels they had cut
and made a tube of, and filled with what had to be most foulest
looking and smelling goo I have ever seen. Coming out the other
end, we were ceremoniously given the Shellback award and tapped
on the shoulder by some odd looking pirate.
The clothes were thrown over board and we ran the ship dry of
hot water. The bad part is, I never got again to go over the
Equator to do the honors to anyone else.
Semper Fi
Daryl Riggs SSgt (Ret)
75-95
I was fortunate enough to have participated in this ritual while
serving aboard the USS Belleau Wood in 1989. Having a Sergeant
who had already gone through this and was a member of the
Trusted Order of Shellbacks, I was volunteered to be his Wog
Dog. As such, I was collared and led around the ship by my
master to engage in fights with other Wog Dogs and to eat some
of the finest chow a wog should ever eat.
(most of this food was leftovers lovingly ground into a nasty
mess with several condiments added for my enjoyment.) Upon
entering the hangar, I was released by my master to run the
gauntlet lined by all other trusted shellbacks who were more
than happy to use their shellallees (pieces of fire hose taped
at one end and used as beating instruments) on our backsides.
When we reached the flight deck, two wogs on either side of the
pad eyes (used to tie down helos and our Harriers) were ordered
to blow the nasty water out onto each others' faces. Several
other tricks, courses, rituals were included until we reached
the Wog Queen. The queen was the fattest smelliest Navy squid I
have ever seen with a belly smeared with lard, butter, oil, etc.
that was procured from the galley.
Our order was to rub our face in "her" belly and proclaim our
love for her. A tub full of sea water and floating food
particulars was the final obstacle where an order to "swim"
through to the other side awaited us. After emerging from the
tub, we were asked what we were. If we answered Wog, we had to
go back to the beginning of the maze. If we answered shellback,
we were christened as a shellback.
Still have the wallet-sized ID card and the large wall hanging
proving my existence as a trusty shellback.
Gerard Torres
VMA-513/13th MEU
86-90
I was with MAG 15 in I think June of '66 and we went overseas on
the USS Sumner County 1148 LST and upon crossing the
International Date Line, we went through the ceremony and got
the certificate stating that we had done so. That was one slow
ship but got us there.
I would like to remind everyone, that you are a Marine until you
die, and then you become a dead Marine.
Doc Hamilton
Cpl USMC
Viet Nam '66 & '67
To Sgt DeSpain,
I crossed the line in Feb of 1993. As the day of the
crossing approached I was understandably nervous. As an HMC
with 17 years in a was one if not the senior enlisted wog.
Much to my relief there was a masterchief on the ship that was a
wog so I was off that hook. As my doctor, our two Marine pilots
and I awaited our turn with "Davey Jones" and King Neptunus Rex
I looked up and saw our Commanding Officer, a Marine LTCOL being
led across the deck on his hands and knees, on a leash, by the
Ship's CO. After seeing that everything else they did was
nothing. We were laughing so hard about the Colonel being
"dogged" that the trials we went through didn't bother us that
much. As a side note we had a team from the states on board
that was there to help the returning troops get ready to get
back to family life. It consisted of two women and one man.
Those three individuals earned the respect of the whole ship by
going through the crossing the line ceremony along with the rest
of us. I have since forgotten their names but their camaraderie
will always stay with me.
Doc Higgins
HMC(SW/FMF)
75-97
In September of 1993, I was stationed aboard the USS Germantown
LSD 42. Part of LAV Platoon Reinforced, attached to 1/5 with the
31st MEU. We knew that the impending doom of Wog Day was coming
up, and with the posting of the Orders of the Deep with a bunch
of stuff from Davy Jones himself, it was crawling near. We
reconnoitered as much information as we could without tripping
up too much of the old salts, but only so much could be gleaned.
Our own platoon Sgt, SSgt Marsh, was shellbacked and he threw
out enough stuff to really cause confusion and a fearful
anticipation of the coming day. Two nights before the day was to
be, two or three of the squids from the galley came round Marine
country and solicited help. It seems the Mess Chief had been
saving garbage and food scraps for 3 days, and this was to be
used for our hazing pleasure. After explaining what horrors
awaited us, we (about 14 Marines) decided to help these poor
squids who feared the demise of there dignity (as we did as
well). We all proceeded to the galley and pulled out bag after
bag of smelly garbage. Since the lights were out due to our
clandestine training operation, we heard from no one, nor were
we asked any questions. As a matter of fact, we sponged up about
20 more Marines to help us, and soon we just resembled a fire-
bucket brigade, passing bag after bag of trash and tossing them
overboard. 2 or 3 days passed, and as Wog Day came to us, we
found the mess Chief had another idea for garbage: He had the
messmen boil up several hundred pounds of pasta! They even added
food dyes to color it to make it look like garbage! Rancid
pasta. I wonder how much better it would have been if we had
left the garbage alone.
JLD
You Best Be
Hey Sgt Grit,
Thanks for the great sharing place. I read every word of your
news letter.
Today I saw a remembrance from a Sgt I once served with but I
don't know if he remembers me, but I have a great memory of
names.
its like a voice from the past when you see a name that strikes
a bell. I served in H&S-1-9 in 1963, I was in BnMT and S4.
My bumper tags and stickers have gotten me out of a few tight
spots too. I remember once when 4 friends and I were returning
from a 96 hour pass and an Arizona State Trooper somewhere in
Western Ariz stopped me for speeding about 2 in the morning. I
don't even know how fast I was driving, just that the 61 Volvo
was floor boarded when the red lights flashed. The trooper
walked up and flashed hi light and asked where was I going in
such a f...ing hurry. I looked at my watch and said , "we have
to be at Camp Pendleton at 0800". He handed me back my license
and said, "you best be hurrying along then, Semper Fi Marines".
I think we were out of sight before he got back in his cruiser.
My Sgt Grit, Crimson US Marine Retired cover gets me "thanks for
your service" regularly. Grateful people have paid for my
groceries, gasoline, movie tickets and more things than I care
to mention. I don't wear it for that purpose, I wear it because
I love the Marine Corps, and my time there.
Keep publishing the letters and all good works.
Semper Fi.
GySgt Jerry R. Hattox
USMC 1954-1978 retired
Nam 65-66, 68-69
USMC/Combat Helicopter Association
Sgt. Grit:
I've been a faithful reader of your newsletter for about three
years and would like to use this forum to enlist new members
into our Association and invite them to join us at our bi-annual
reunion - held this year in Fort Worth Texas from August 10-13.
Until a couple of years ago, our Association was known as the
USMC Vietnam Helicopter Association. Membership was available
to those pilots, crew chiefs, door gunners, corpsmen and flight
surgeons who served with a helicopter squadron in Vietnam.
Membership has now been extended to all Marines who have served
in combat (in any war) with a helicopter squadron and the name of
the Association has subsequently changed to the USMC/Combat
Helicopter Association.
A reunion is held every two years - the 2004 reunion in Reno was
the largest attended reunion to date. We are looking forward to
another great time this year in Fort Worth and would like to
invite new members to join us. Please visit www.popasmoke.com
to join the Association and learn more about the reunion.
On a personal note, we are finding more and more guys who served
with VMO-3, but there are still a lot of guys out there that we
are trying to locate. The designation of VMO-3 only lasted for a
few years (it changed to HML-367), so the list of VMO-3 guys is
not that long - but we are still trying to locate as many as
possible.
Hope to see you in Forth Worth in August. Semper Fi !
Jim Oakey, 2130946
Sgt. VMO-3
Phu Bai: 12/66-01/68
Herding Them
I wrote you about Marines smiling back at Death. At least when
we go to H&ll we take enough water and ammo for the trip. I
would not be so worried about the four horsemen of the
Apocalypse, as I would about the squad of Marines herding them
in a Hummer.
I am a Parris Island Marine - Yea, though I walk thru the valley of
Death, I will fear no evil because I was trained there.
John Halpin
2/9 Viet-Nam
'66-'67
Reunion 2/11
Sgt. Grit:
A reunion for all Marines and Corpsmen that have ever served
Second Battalion Eleventh Marines is being planned for June
21-25 2006 at Oceanside, California. Could you please post this
notice to your newsletter.
For reunion information visit the 2/11 web-page provided.
Semper Fi
Mike Weber.
D/2/11 65/66
How It Felt
A year and a half ago (Sept 04) there were 5 Marines I served
with that kept in constant touch. I suggested to these 5
devildogs that a reunion was in order. As an avid hunter, I had
a 3000 acre hunting ranch that could support our reunion
sleeping 15 without a problem. Everyone jumped on board without
hesitation. A date in May 05' was agreed upon. Operation HMM-364
Purple Alamo went into the planning stage. After all we are the
Purple Foxes. Within days through websites and other internet
searches other Purple Foxes were coming out of the woodwork. Our
small group of 5 Marines bloomed into 33. The ranch could not
support an exercise of this size but after talking to a local
hotel about the reunion we received a h&ll of a deal to include
our own hospitality suite. Marines and their wives all booked
rooms for the weekend long reunion. With all the information
from our brothers Purple Fox address books, commemorative
operation t-shirts, and covers were made. A handful of Marines
even made a week long vacation in San Antonio out of the event.
Marines came from all across the country. From Washington State
to Florida. As the Foxes arrived it absolutely amazed me how it
felt to sit down, have a "soda-pop" with my brothers. It was
like we had never been apart. Our stories and experiences flowed
forth like they happened yesterday. The only difference seemed
to be different career paths and a lot of kids pictures. The
reunion started on Fri. with a pre-flight brief in the ready
room (hospitality suite) followed by a party hosted by my local
watering hole within staggering distance of the hotel. The bar
at no co$t to us put on a spread of food and decorations to
include professionally made banners. Upon arrival the bar owners
met everyone of us at the door introducing themselves and
thanking all for their service to our great country. Sat. was
spent on the river walk downtown. Sun. a safety stand down was
held featuring good ol' Texas BBQ. was held. We had a couple of
lap top computers downloading everyone's pictures from the
weekend and even some of the active duty pics the guys brought
from back in the day. I write this letter because I have had a
hard time physically since I left the Corps and this weekend was
a huge part of my healing process. I know there are others like
myself. I wanted to voice what the quality people I met in the
Marines and what the bond of brotherhood still does for me today
almost 16 yrs. removed from active duty. To the active duty
Marines now, the friendships forged in the Marines are lifelong.
Get addresses, keep in touch, and don't just let the time go by.
I know there are not many Marines out there that have not asked
the question, I wonder what ever happened to...... Just
add a name.
Semper Fi
Ed Messineo, CPL
USMC 86-91
HMM-364 88-90
Daddy
Dear Sgt. Grit,
Shortly after receiving my commission as a bright and shiny
2ndLt., I married a sweet young flower of the South. Several
years later, I was stationed in Okinawa and Japan. In the name
of "unencumbered readiness," Marine Corps families were not
allowed to live in the Far East in those days, so my family was
in the States.
My wife was shopping one day with my blue-eyed, blonde son in
tow. He was three years old, and had not seen me for about 18
months. The boy saw a black soldier wearing the Army green
uniform, became very excited and bellowed "DADDY" in his loudest
voice. He ran toward the soldier, who seemed a little
embarrassed. My wife hurried over, took my son by the hand,
smiled and---in her mellifluous southern drawl---told him, "No
son, that isn't your daddy; that man is a soldier and your daddy
is a Marine!" The soldier smiled, rendered a soft salute, and
asked her to give me his best wishes.
I was very proud of my lady for that.
J. Himmelheber, Maj. USMCR 1954 - 1970
Send Me Hershey's
Hello,
My name in Lance Corporal Jerry Fennell and after reading this
weeks letter I recall my welcome home experience. In 2003 when
I was in Iraq the kindergarten classes at the school my mom was
principal at wrote me letters. They intended to send me
Hershey's Hugs and Kisses but due to the weather it just didn't
happened. When I returned home I decide to visit these young
motivators to say thank you. Their gift-giving didn't stop when
I was in Iraq these little people ages 4-6 years old sang to me
Lee Greenwood's "I'm Proud To Be An American while I, choked
back tears. To this day whenever I hear that I still choke back
tears.
Lcpl Jerry Fennell
Weapons Co. 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines
Reunion Marine Air Base Squadron-43 and 49
Marine Air Base Squadron-43 & Marine Air Base Squadron-49 in
Willow Grove, PA; 23 Sep 2006, Col Chuck McGarigle (Ret), 23
Greenwood Dr, Bordentown, NJ 08505, (609) 291-9617,
col_of_mar_ret@comcast.net
Sick Cartoon
Sgt Grit:
I totally agree with Gordon Nichols regarding Tom Toles' sick
cartoon. I've been to the Bethesda Naval and Walter Reed
Hospitals over 85 times to visit our wounded Marine from the
Sand Box to see what we can do for them, even if its only a
simple act of saying "Semper Fi" and that we're here for you.
Seeing what I have in real life and then seeing that sick
cartoon really disgusted me. I doubt if Tom Toles or the
Washington Post editors have even seen or care about our wounded
brethren. I have sent my email protest to the Washington Post
editors, suggesting that if it were up to me, I'd fire Tome
Toles. But, one email will not bring success. We need lots of
them to have any impact. Let's get behind this effort!
Tony Begenwald
Cochairman, Dept of Maryland's
Marines Helping Marines Program
Chaplain, Free State Marine Corps League Detachment
All New York State Marine Corps Reunion, NYMAR 2007
An invitation to all Marines and Corpsmen who are from NYS, were
stationed in NYS, who visited NYS or wish to visit NYS. Active
duty, Reserve, retired or just plain tired, all are invited to
have a good time gathering together with the best of the best,
Marines! The reunion will take place from June 7th to June 10th,
2007 at the Holiday Inn Select in Niagara Falls New York.
For more information please e-mail me at cjs9@cornell.edu or
by phone 607 844 5168 evenings, 607 255 2371 workdays.
Carl Steckler USMC 1966 - 1972
Make It
To Cpl Tom Gillespie,
Your wonderful note and tribute to your wife made my eyes
"sweat"...It truly blessed me to read your note and know that
there is another very lucky June bride out there! My husband
and I will celebrate our 40th anniversary this coming June and
he still calls me his "young bride". In fact he surprised me
with a complete chapter about me in the book he just published:
Lucky Enough.
For sure when we celebrate this year....you and your bride will
also be in my thoughts. There truly are many of us that have
made it. I have many other "thoughts" swirling through my head
but just can't seem to put then into words today. I do want to
thank you though for your story. There are many of us out here
who did manage to "make it" through the PTSD and all the other
things that can tear a couple apart...and I think that is
something to brag about! Thanks also for enclosing the
pictures! How special to see you both! Again...I'll be sending
thoughts your way in June!
Connie Beesley
PROUD WIFE of Cpl Eddie Beesley
Feared By Fish
As I was reflecting yesterday on the 25th anniversary of my own
graduation from Parris Island, a friend and Marine Brother was
receiving orders to report to Sky 6 (Actual) for assignment to
Marine Security Detachment, Marine Barracks Pearly Gates.
Larry (Lawrence P.) McShane, retired Philadelphia Police
homicide detective, Vietnam veteran Marine and feared by fish
the world over, departed this life 27 Feb, 2006.
Semper Fi-
Tom McCourt
Took Her Back Home
Sgt. Grit. I was taken with the story from Cpl. Tom Gillispie
in your last new letter. Something to the same effect happened
to the wife and I when I started my military career in the
Marine Corps. I came home on boot camp leave from MCRD San Diego
in Sept. of 1958. I asked my best friend at the time if he new
any good looking girls I could go out with and he said yes, her
name was Lois. So he called her up and arranged a blind date
for us. At the time she was 18 and I was 20. On Sept. 19th of
1958 I met her and we went to a movie and dinner for our date.
The next night we had another date. The following Thurs., Sept.
25, 1958 my friend, Lois friend, Lois and I went to Elko, Nv.
and got married. We were in a wreck on the way down to Elko and
limped into and back from there. At the time I had never been
inside of her house or met any of her family and she had never
met any of mine. As you can surmise it was a shock to everyone.
It gets better[or worse]Three days later I left[3days]to return
to boot camp where a group of us Marines got on a plane and
headed for Jacksonville, Fl. for aviation school. While at
aviation school she came down and of course she became pregnant.
At xmas of 1958 I took leave and took her back home to Idaho.
We rode a bus from Jacksonville, Fl. to Twin Falls Idaho.
We lost a baby boy in 1959. We finally started living together
permanently in June of 1959 at MCAS El Toro. We now have two
daughters, two granddaughters, two grandsons[one who is in the
Corps at Camp Pendleton]and two greatgrandsons.
We have been married now for 48yrs this Sept. Not everything
has been rosy all the time but it never is when to people marry
I don't care how long the new each other. I spent my time
overseas while she raised the girls. I was in the Philippines,
Vietnam, Korea, and Japan along with may different places in the
U.S. She was always there, if not in body, in spirit. I have
many stories I could tell about uprooting her and the girls and
going TD or PCS but I won't bore you with them. The story of
Cpl. Gillispie hit home and I just wanted to relate to him or
anyone else the importance of loving someone, having faith in
them, and cherishing what you build and have together. People
said we were crazy and our marriage would never last and we told
them we would be here together when they were gone, and we are.
I love to Corps and all the men and women that are serving
today, helping to giving me the right to write this, the freedom
for my family and may God bless everyone one of them.
Sgt. Howard Tennant-VMA 211
Short Rounds
U.S. Navy Rules of Gunfighting
1.Adopt an aggressive offshore posture.
2.Send in the Marines.
3.Drink coffee.
Dear Sgt Grit,
Whatever happened to the cartoon "Sledge"? I remember it during
the Vietnam period. It featured a FUBAR grunt as its central
character. It was carried by the Air Force Times, Army Times
and Navy Times to the best of my knowledge. Is it still around?
Sincerely,
Charles Rich
Hi Sgt Grit
I would however like to remind my fellow jarheads that there is
another whole fighting unit in the air that supports our troops
on the ground. I'm a Korean veteran and was a member of Marine
Attack Squadron 225. Any other Air Wing guys out there?
Dick "Boggie" Varvel Sgt. 51' 54'
Note: How about more Air Wing stories?
Sgt Grit
Petition for a memorial stamp for our fallen brothers in Beirut
http://www.beirutstamp.com/
Theodore Roosevelt quote has questionable roots.
http://www.snopes.com/quotes/teddyroos.asp
This was included in the last newsletter.
Sgt Grit
As a telephone, teletype, and crypto repairman (2817) I can
remember being referred to as a twidget or a mushroom.
Patrick S. Corrie
Sgt USMC 67-71
CPO USN RET 74-94
Welcome home, Job Well Done!
Semper fi
Sgt Grit
|