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In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and
brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the
timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.
~Mark Twain, Notebook, 1935
Sgt. Grit,
I love your newsletter! To the "Marine Mom" who has heard
horror stories about boot camp and her son going, my son went at
the age of 19. I had heard the horror stories too, but my fear
was not boot camp, but Iraq. Many men and women survive boot
camp. My son, LCPL Travis is now on his second tour in Iraq and
there isn't a day that goes by that I worry about him over
there. HOWEVER, if you pay attention to the news, our boys are
in worse danger here in the US. Look at the gangs, drive by
shootings, drugs and alcohol use. At least in the Marine
Corps, my son is taught respect, honor and courage. He was
taught how to defend himself and his country. He has been
taught more in the Marines than anywhere else he could have
been. Don't worry about your son, he can take care of himself
and other Marine brothers with him and they will take care of
him. Worry about the people in Iraq who come in contact with
our Marines!
I am so proud of my Marine, he has come a long way, he has grown
up more than I care to admit, he has seen things most men/women
will ever see in their lives. He is 21 now, and I am praying
that he comes home safe and sound along with all his Marine
brothers.
Sincerely,
Debbie Hope
Proud Mom of LCPL Gil Travis,
United States Marine Corps
I have enjoyed reading your newsletter so much. My son,
Corporal Christian Gonzales, graduated boot camp at MCRD in San
Diego CA October 14, 2005. I went to watch and took my 17 year
old daughter also to see her brother graduate. This was the
finest ceremony I have ever witnessed and the most touching and
patriotic. I was so proud of my son and all the other young men
and pray every day for all of our Marines. Truly I was born
into the family that day also as a Marine Mom forever! My son
is now a Corporal and just got married last July 17 and is
stationed at 29 Palms. The Marine Corps is the best thing that
has ever happened to him. He chose to go in and wanted to fight
for his country even though he was an EMT-Intermediate working
in a local emergency room. I say this so Senator Kerry will
realize that there are many young people who have volunteered
that had already went to college BEFORE they volunteered for the
Marine Corps; in fact he is still paying off school loans! I
want more than ever for this war to be over and our young
Marines home as well as all other servicemen in other areas of
the military but "these colors (red/white/blue) don't run" and
we want the job completed so we never have to go back! When my
son is deployed I will have the utmost confidence in the
training he has received and know that this is what he wants to
do, for all of us back home.
Carolyn Alyea Gonzales
Pueblo, Colorado
"There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of
the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power
than by violent and sudden usurpations."
-James Madison
Sgt Grit,
Not too long ago, I was headed down the street when I saw
something most would consider rather out of the ordinary. Now,
in order to get a better picture of this, I'm going to make a
note that this took place in New Jersey, and it obviously gets
pretty cold here this time of year. Well, I was on my way when I
noticed that a Marine was jogging down the street in a pair of
running shorts. I later mentioned it to a buddy, and the first
question was, "How did you know he was a Marine?" so I said, "He
had a high and tight, and a USMC sweatshirt... but what really
gave him away was the fact that it takes a MARINE to be
motivated enough to wear shorts out when running in the middle
of February."
Stefanie Shaw
USNA Class of 2012
"It appears we have appointed our worst generals to command
forces, and our most gifted and brilliant to edit newspapers! In
fact, I discovered by reading newspapers that these
editor/geniuses plainly saw all my strategic defects from the
start, yet failed to inform me until it was too late.
Accordingly, I'm readily willing to yield my command to these
obviously superior intellects, and I'll, in turn, do my best for
the Cause by writing editorials - after the fact."
-Robert E. Lee, 1863
Dear Sgt Grit,
I sent my three children off to boot camps : one to the Air
Force, one to the Coast Guard and one to the Marines, all three
were "civilians" on departure and came back military
professionals. The Marine was the most radical change: Junk
food and pop gave way to water, lean meats and veggies.
"Veggies are good for you mom". Sounded like what I had been
saying for years but an outside expert (gunny) was more
believable. The boy whose room I had to clean with a snow
shovel, now puts his socks in a grid system in the drawer.
Posture, manners, diet and a new appreciation for education at
all costs came back as baggage from boot camp. He had a couple
scars from doing more than his share in team events and a mature
understanding of consequences. In fact, "horror" stories" or
not, the saddest person at graduation was the Marine who was
delayed for 6 months while the stress fractures in his legs
healed. Neither he nor his family blamed the Marines for
anything - he tried too hard to be the fastest runner.
None of my children regret a moment of their boot camps - part
of the transformation from child to adult professional. I have
often thought that the 2 year military requirement of service
that is mandatory in Israel would be good for what ails
America's youth. I know I have nothing to apologize for with my
3, only pride. Members of my family have fought for America for
many generations past and hopefully for many to come, always
with pride.
Deborah J Thomas
Dear Sgt Grit,
I would like to ask all CALIFORNIA residents to contact their
representatives to establish Gold Star license plates in CA
The following comes from the Blue Star Mother + Families of the
Central Valley.
"Let us all show our GOLD STAR FAMILIES how much we care and ask
our State Officials to pass California Senate Bill 287 in record
time! Go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html
THANK YOU!
Carolyn L.
Blue Star Mother of a Marine and an Airman
"When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen;
and we shall most sincerely rejoice with you in the happy hour
when the establishment of American Liberty, upon the most firm
and solid foundations shall enable us to return to our Private
Stations in the bosom of a free, peacefully and happy Country."
--George Washington
We are a group of mental health professionals called The
Soldiers Project (yes, I know the name doesn't ring right with
you, but our services are for all branches of the military). We
are in Los Angeles County and Orange County, California. We
offer FREE, NO RED TAPE counseling to any military person who
was in OIF/OEF. We also offer free counseling to their extended
families - kids, girlfriends, spouses, grandparents and parents
--- for deployment-related issues, prior to, during or following
deployment. And, we offer free counseling to bereaved families.
We are mostly in private practice, so people are coming to
private offices. We want to help with combat trauma, and we want
to help support the families so the Marines can keep their focus
on their mission. We want to reduce the escalating OIF/OEF
divorce rate, and stop the post-deployment suicides.
Our services are free. This is our way of giving back. If a
person is interested, they may call Dr. Broder, who was inspired
by a Marine to found the project, at 818 761-7438, or email her
at info@thesoldiersproject.org. She normally returns calls
within 24 hours, and matches people up with a therapist within a
couple of days. We ONLY have therapists in Los Angeles and
Orange Counties in California.
We know that Marines and Marine families are tough. But we also
know that there are times when it can be really helpful to
talk to a person to get some stuff off your chest. And that's
why we're here.
Thank you.
Barbara V. Schochet, Ph.D.
Los Angeles
310 479-8751
P.S. We receive the funding that pays for our website and
business cards from the Trauma Center of the Los Angeles
Institute & Society for Psychoanalytic Studies, a 501C3.
GOD BLESS the UNITED STATES MARINES.... Welcome home LCpl Jones
- 12 months in the sand box was enough!
Jgranberry Proud Marine Dad
Sgt.Grit,
My father was stationed at Parris Island, S.C when I was born
in 1944 we traveled all over the world. I spent 22 years
growing up in the Corps. We have been many different places he
was not very kind to me since I was the first born I have two
other brothers.
When I got my draft notice I went into the Army instead of
going into the Corps because I knew what would happen. After
serving two years I got out and went my own way several years
later I joined the Army National Guard and spent twenty years.
All through my life I have been focused on the Corps value that
I was instilled from him and a few other people who have been in
the Marine Corps.
Thank you
John Holliday
Sgt.Grit:
I have never been a Marine. However, I served with the Marines
in 1950,51 while in the Navy. I wish someone could instill in
our Politicians the same Credo I learned from my Marine friends.
"Close with the enemy and KILL him". Where do our idiot
politicians get the Idea that War is supposed to be anything
else but that. I have been an admirer of Marines all my life and
I am 75 years old. My 12 years of active duty taught me two
things more important than all the rest....."There is no
substitute for Victory", and there are NONE BETTER than the
United States Marines.
OOrahhh!
Semper Fi
JMJ (49 to 61)
"Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure that
there is one less scoundrel in the world."
-Thomas Carlyle
Subject: This needs to change: Something to think about and
speak up about!
Good afternoon fellow Leathernecks, Marines, Veterans, friends
and family members and just people who care,
I just returned from the funeral of a young (27 year old) female
Marine Captain from Swampscott, MA who was killed while flying a
rescue mission in Iraq on February 7, 2007 and I must admit it
was a very moving experience to say the least. Let me just say
before I go on the Captain Harris and her crew of her helo
completed their mission that day and saved the life of another
Marine by getting them to medical care on time it was while
returning to base that they were shot down. As her commanding
officer said today in church her actions that day saved another
Marine family from going through what we are going through
today.
I had many emotions today in church and at the funeral, I went
from being sad, not understanding why a talented young women a
Marine would be taken from us, to being very proud, after
hearing about the young women her life and her struggle to get
into Annapolis and becoming a Marine and then becoming a Helo
pilot completing three tours of combat flying. When you look out
and saw her classmates from Annapolis in the uniforms of the
U.S. Navy and Marines many of them pilots also, and look out
into the crowd in the church with many young men and women of
all branches of the services in uniform who came to honor one of
their own you couldn't help but feel proud of these young men
and women and all those who went before them and put on the
uniform of any service of the United States.
This all brought a tear to my eye and I think it should for if
it doesn't there is something wrong with you not matter what you
think of the war and why we are fighting it. This brings me to
the last of many emotions I have felt today Anger, I am angry
and I want to tell you why!
As I drove to the funeral the airways and the TV this morning
were filled with stories that someone thinks are important, the
newspapers have been full of these stories since Captain
Harris's death, Tom Brady's ex-girlfriend is pregnant, Britney
Spears cut her hair off, Anna Nichol Smith body was embalmed and
we still don't know who the father is, our new Governor just got
a Caddy for an official car etc.
What angers me is the amount of time, effort and money is spent
on these stories when men and women like Captain Harris who are
role models (or should be) and are the fabric of this country
(or should be) get pushed to the rear or get no notice at all.
This needs and must stop, there is something wrong with this
country and the people in it if we can't see this and speak up
about it. Tell your newspapers your TV stations and in
particular tell you children, other people's children, tell your
friends, tell people you might not agree with, but people need
to put what's important and meaningful in perspective.
This is still the greatest country in the world even with it
faults and for those who have worn the uniform, any uniform know
that more than most and the families of those who go in harms
way know this also but we have lost our way as a country and a
people if we really care about the stories we are being force
fed by the media and others. So what I am asking is for all of
us to take a moment and think about what is important to us,
what should be important to us and our loved ones and families.
I watch sports but they are not Hero's or even role models
anymore, I watch movies and listen to music but the entertainers
aren't Hero's or role models they are just people. We all have
met our own role models and Hero's and most of them don't dance,
sing or play sports, they don't write for newspapers or cover
what they are told is news they are people like Captain Harris
and your own son's and daughters who work hard everyday and
accomplish great things but go unnoticed by the main stream, if
we want to Honor men and women like Captain Harris don't let
this happen.
Tell you children you love them and support them, tell the men
and women of our military THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE and look
around you to see the real people that go about their lives
doing things for us and to protect us etc and tell someone you
don't care if Tom Brady's ex-girl is pregnant, I don't care what
Britney Spears looks like bald and I am sorry but I don't care
who the father is of Anna Nichols baby is, I just care that some
one will love her and take care of her so she doesn't end up
like her mother.
God Bless America and those who have and now serve her !
Semper FI
Bob O'Toole
USMCR Sergeant 1964-1969
President North Shore Chapter
1/25 4th Marine Div
Leathernecks Motorcycle Club
Dear Sgt. Grit,
I am responding to Cpl Samuel Fernley's letter regarding non-
Marines using "Semper Fi."
My Father died in 2003. He entered the Marine Corps In 1936 at
17 years old. He served with E, F, G, H AND Hdq. Companies in 2d
Battalion, 5th Marines in the Pacific. He fought valiantly
alongside Lou Diamond, Chesty Puller, Lewis Walt, and Gordon
Gayle to name a few. He was a "Mustang" and was promoted to 2d
Lt. at New Britain by Lew Walt and Gordon Gayle. He served as
platoon leader often, battalion liaison and was an expert at
pistol and sharpshooter at rifle. He carried a 70# (plus) water
cooled machine gun in intense heat under inhuman conditions. He
used flamethrowers and had jungle rot. I could go on and on.
He fought at Tulagi, Guadalcanal, New Britain and Peleliu. He
fought the three battles on the Matanikau, Edson's Ridge along
with the Raiders, to mention a few. He taught at OCS at Quantico
after World War II and made 1st. Lt. and was discharged with a
good Conduct Medal, among others.
WHY DO I KNOW THIS? It wasn't because he boasted or told me ANY
of it. I know it because his fellow Marines have taken me under
their wings and have told me many, many stories about Dad. And,
I received his service records.
While he was gone, his mother and father worried about and
supported him. MY MOTHER worried about and supported him. They
wrote him daily, they sent him packages, they helped sell war
bonds, they flew the American flag, they knitted socks, they
rationed gas, sugar, rubber, tin cans....They did not go through
what he went through and their experiences were in no way
comparable to his by any means. But when Dad got back, he KNEW
they were part of a MARINE FAMILY. He never ever let me forget
that. He was proud of them and his children. My parents
instilled patriotism in me. We flew our flag every day. It was
up at sunrise and was ALWAYS taken down at sunset. It was never
tattered and NEVER touched the ground.
When Dad died he requested that people send donations to "Toys
for Tots." He didn't want "anyone wasting their money on
flowers." He died a MARINE.
NOW, when I hear a Marine, who tells me I cannot use the sacred
words, "Semper Fidelis" or "Semper Fi," he is assuming I use
them casually. I do not. In fact, I use them sparingly and
respectfully, communicating to Marines that I WILL ALWAYS BE
FAITHFUL to the MARINE CORPS and ANY MARINE that CROSSES MY
PATH, as I WILL ALWAYS be FAITHFUL to my FATHER. My Dad fought
along with his fellow Marines to ensure I would not be censored
and that I would continue to be able to live under the United
States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
I have spent many, many hours/days/weeks with Marines of the
World War II, China, Korea and VietNam. I HAVE NEVER EVER been
asked not to use Semper Fidelis. They use that beautiful phrase
with me as I do with them. I will continue to use those words
with respect and only to Marines.
I'm sorry that Corporal Fernley is offended.
Sincerely Semper Fidelis,
Carolyn "Hutch" Hutchings Carino,
Proud Daughter of 1st. Lt. Charles A. "Hutch" Hutchings E, F, G, H, Hdq./2/5
P.S. By the way, in response to Sgt. Grit's request for bumper
stickers, I sent in the one that is now for sale and it says, MY
DAD PUT THE "FI" IN SEMPER FI.
"If there is one thing upon this earth that mankind love and
admire better than another, it is a brave man—it is the man who
dares to look the devil in the face and tell him he is a
devil."
-James A. Garfield
I just wanted to say that I take exception to the remarks of
Cpl. Samuel Fernley who states that only a Marine is entitled to
use the Semper Fi greeting. That only a Marine knows the
significance of Semper Fi. I feel he is very wrong.
I am the widow of a 24 year Marine veteran who served three
tours in Viet Nam, and the mother of a son, an only child, of a
Marine who served in Desert Storm. In fact, the day after my
son was deployed, my husband was re- activated to serve because
of a "critical MOS".
My husband left for his last tour in Viet Nam when our son was 2
weeks old.
Cpl. Fernley has no idea what wives of Marines went through when
their husbands were deployed in the 1960's and before. If you
lived on base, you had to move. There were no cell phone calls,
no e-mail service, only wait and pray for a letter and write
letters every day. At that time, units were not deployed, he
left by himself and flew to his next duty station without the
comfort of knowing he had friends to watch his back. There were
no "support groups" for wives and families, only prayers that a
wife would be able to handle the day to day situations. The
wife had to be the mother and father and keep hearth and home
together for 13 month tours. And when they came home, if they
came home, there was no one to greet them but their wife and
children. There were no parades, no celebrations, just come
home and get prepared to go on to the next duty station. If
that is not fidelity, I'd like Cpl. Fernley to explain his
definition of faithfulness.
I have a Marine Corps Retired tag on my automobile and have had
several young men ask me who the Marine is. I tell them my
husband and son and they greet me with a "Semper Fi" and I
always respond with a "Thank you".
A. Morton
Wife and Mother of Marines.
Sarge,
I live in a retirement community which is also home to
several Marines - WWI Guadalcanal, Chosen Reservoir, the Cold
War and Viet Nam. A couple years ago I made myself an EGA from
American black walnut and got a few comments from the vets. So I
set to work making one for each and every one of them, plus a
few for my fellow-Marines with whom I served in the 1950's.
Thought you might like to see what they look like. Keep up the
good work of keeping us "old" Corps guys informed and in touch.
Semper If!
John Tonkin
USMC 1955 - 58
"Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country
has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of
American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must
always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any
appellation derived from local discriminations."
-George Washington
Cpl Fernley,
It is with great sadness that I respond to your comments:
"If you are a spouse, wife, boyfriend, airmen, sailor, soldier,
etc unless you have EARNED the TITLE Marine, you will NEVER
understand the significance and importance behind it. Stop
saying it and using it, it is not yours because you have not
earned it."
AND....
"Semper Fidelis is not a casual phrase to be used by anyone
because that takes away from the meaning behind it, which you
don't understand or appreciate unless you earn it and you take
away from the meaning because you don't fully understand what it
truly means. Please respect the fact that only those who have
earned the title should use it."
I am a Marine's wife and also a Marine's Mother. As far as I'm
concerned, Anyone who is considered part of the Marine Corps
extended "family" should be able to use this term. We NEVER use
this term "casually" because we, unlike average citizens, know
all too well and understand exactly what this term means. We say
it out of RESPECT. Just as every Marine is considered your
brother or sister, you are ALL considered our sons and
daughters.
In conclusion, Marines are not alone when it comes to making
sacrifices. Their families and loved ones suffer tremendous
"casualties of war". I prayed for my husband and his fellow
Marines every day when he was serving in Iraq during Desert
Shield & Desert Storm and sacrificed a year and a half of my
life without him in my arms and so did our son who was only 2 at
the time. That is minute in comparison of what Marine families
go through today. I will proudly do it all over again when our
son gets deployed to Al Anbar Province, Iraq next month.
We take every Marine under "our wing". You are all our sons and
daughters. We will continue to support you, pray for you and
send you care packages, because we too, are ALWAYS FAITHFUL!
May God Bless you, the Corps and our Country.
Sincerely,
Kelly Sekuterski
Proud Marine Wife and Mother
Last Fall I got interesting to read your Sgt Grit's Marine
Specialties Newsletter. I thought that I should write something.
Early in 1960 my brother joined National Guards. He taught me
how to "march" and swing the rifle during standing and marching.
He was surprised that I was so good at that. During that time I
always wanted to join Army but I could do that as I was a Deaf.
Sorry I had never thought of Marine until we family attended our
son, Andrew's graduation from Marine Boot Camp last September
15, 2006 at MCRD San Diego, California. Now our daughter, Sherri
went to Parris Island, South Carolina for 13 weeks training at
Marine Boot camp last December 26, 2006. We are planning to
attend to her graduation on March 23, 2007.
Really I am a most proud DAD of two MARINES!
Semper Fi
Proud DAD, LeRoy D. Elmer
Given all of this country's past wars involving intelligence
failures, tactical and strategic blunders, congressional fights
and popular anger at the president, Iraq and the rising furor
over it are hardly unusual... The high-stakes war to stabilize
the fragile democracy in Iraq is a serious, costly and
controversial business. But so have been most conflicts in
American history. We need a little more humility and knowledge
of our past—and a lot less hysteria, name-calling and obsession
with our present selves."
-Victor Davis Hanson
OK --- I have been soundly and forcibly corrected. I hereby
swear to never say the words "Semper Fi" again. But Nobody---
That's NO-BODY will ever, ever prevent me from saying "God Bless
the Corps and all who serve" and, yes, I still owe my humble
Zoomie A** to the Marine Corps
Jake Jacobsma USAF
Earlier this month, our Public Broadcasting TV Channel aired a
documentary entitled, "The Marines." I thought it was an
excellent program that showed actual, narrated scenes from Boot
Camp; starting at the yellow footprints and proceeding through
training, on to graduation. Culture shock was had by all.
Another segment was done at OCS, Quantico. It emphasized that
officer candidates are screened to determine their leadership
abilities. The C.O. was a Colonel, who said that he looked at
every candidate and asked himself, "Would I want this man to be
leading MY son?"
The program also visited the Raider Battalion Museum and
explained their valuable contributions to Marine Corps History
and their service to our country.
It wasn't long afterwards that a Sgt. Grit Newsletter contained
a letter from a self-proclaimed failure. The letter was written
by someone who said he either quit, or washed-out of OCS, in the
9th week. He went on to relate his many successes in civilian
life, but said he still felt like a failure, because he didn't
finish OCS. I've waited for someone else reply to him, but since
no one has; I guess I will:
What is a failure, anyway? My definition of a failure is…anyone
who doesn't try, because they're so afraid of failing, they're
paralyzed into inaction. I still vividly recall the agony of
burning lungs and still hear the DI saying, "If you refuse to
quit, your mind will let you do more than you ever thought you
possibly could…Don't you dare quit!"
Think about it.
If you can't jump like Michael Jordan, are you a failure?
Did you try?
What if you can't hit like Barry Bonds, or throw like pro-ball
players?
Could you be a leader of a football team, just like Peyton
Manning?
Being a Marine Corps Officer is a profession, too. Except, it's
like being part of a game where win, or lose equate to life and
death. Not everyone can qualify to be an officer and a leader of
Marines.
Each of us has limited talents, although we give 110%, trying to
succeed, when we're called upon. The Marine Corps certainly
recognizes leadership and responsibility by designating its
personnel into pay-grades. Lower pay-grade, translates into less
responsibility. Yet, would a PFC be a failure because he might
not complete OCS? I hardly think so. We each do our part.
My advice: Give yourself a break, man. Count your successes and
be grateful and…be proud when you say, "I tried and I did my
best."
Semper Fi
James Haight
"There can be no real peace while one American is dying some
place in the world... for the rest of us. We are at war with the
most dangerous enemy that has ever faced mankind in his long
climb from the swamp to the stars, and it has been said if we
lost that war, and in doing so lost this way of freedom of ours,
history will record with the greatest astonishment that those
who had the most to lose did the least to prevent its
happening... If we lost freedom here, there is no place to
escape to. This is the last stand on Earth."
-Ronald Reagan
I enjoyed reading James D. Broome's letter to the "Marine Mom."
Boot camp will certainly change him. He will be a better
person. I believe every private in Platoon 11-A will agree that
going through boot camp at Parris Island made us better
citizens. I served with honor for three years.
Jeanette Drummond Phillips
Sgt. USMC
Dear Sgt. Grit,
Thank you for your newsletters. My entire family enjoy reading
the letters and articles. Keep up the good work!
Now for the reason I find it necessary to write. I read the
letter headlined "I Have Had Enough" written by Cpl. Fernley (01
Mar.2007). My anger and hurt outweighed my better judgment to
just ignore his opinions, hence my reply.
Sir, with all due respect, please do not tell a Marine's wife or
a Marine's mother that she is not allowed to say "Semper
Fidelis". My husband, Sgt. USMC, 1968-1974, Vietnam 1968-1969,
326 Mike Company, and both of my sons, Cpls. USMC 1991-1997, and
1993-1997, Kuwait Liberation, and VMFA 212, served proudly. I
also served proudly as both MOTHER and WIFE to Marines. No, I
did not don a uniform, but my role as supporter to my sons,
their father, and everyone they came in contact with as Marines,
was important in my eyes. I started a local chapter of "MOM's"
(Mothers of Marines), held rallies in support of our troops
during the beginnings of Desert Storm, and am president of this
support group even now that my sons are no longer active duty.
I went through boot camp twice, one time with each son (with one
being Platoon Honor Graduate), sent letters, homemade cookies
(it was Christmas time for both boot camps) for all recruits and
staff in their units. I walked the floor every night when my
oldest was sent to Kuwait. I tried to give support to my
husband when the night mares of Vietnam would surface during his
sleep. I became a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America,
West Palm Beach Chapter, in support of all Vietnam Vets. I'm
not asking for any accolades, I would just appreciate the
recognition that I have the "right" to express "Semper Fidelis"
to any Marine. Now my grandson (11 years young) is a PFC in the
Young Marines, Nature Coast Chapter, FL. He is a "future"
Marine, because I have no doubt that he will follow in the foot
steps of his Grandfather, Father, and Uncle. I hope to live
long enough to be there to see him receive his EGA. What a
proud day that will be for all of us in this family. We ARE a
Marine family. Can you see my point of view?
When I say "Semper Fidelis" to a Marine, I feel that I am
showing them my highest respect and honor. I had no idea that
these words spoken by anyone not considered a Marine, offensive.
If Marines do not feel that I have the right to say "Semper
Fidelis" to them, I apologize. I would never offend a Marine on
purpose, but your statements Sir, offended ME. I respect the
Corps just as much as any person does, but should not wives,
mothers, fathers, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, in
general "supporters" of the USMC deserve respect in return?
Thank you for your time. Thank you for your service.
Sincerely,
Susan W. Turner
Wife of Wallace H. Turner USMC '68-'74
Mother of Chester G Turner USMC '91-'97
Mother of Wesley H Turner USMC '93-'97
Grandmother of PFC Alexander W Turner Young Marines 2005 and current member
I write this in honor of the individual who penned himself a
failure of OCS Quantico 1976. I believe that the title of that
newsletter is American Courage #142. His admission at the
national level of his belief that he failed is courageous. I
wrote and told him that and I write to Sgt Grit to share that
opinion. You see, I was there in Quantico in 1976 and knew him.
I can think of no one in that platoon who would think less of
him for requesting to leave, especially after the candidate had
proven himself for 9 weeks. We were all trying our hearts out
to just get to the next day without failing. And we all had the
same absolute respect and loyalty to the Platoon Sergeant.
Some of those who did not complete were asked to leave. Some
failed temporarily (or were injured) and were put back to a
different company. Some requested to leave. This individual
was in the latter group. I know that the GySgt spoke well of
this individual when he left and was presented to us as one that
could make it but chose to return to civilian life. I remember
that there were 2 who made this same choice and the GySgt spoke
well of both and gave them his respect.
I know that in my communication with him over the last week that
I respect him also. His letter to Sgt Grit emphatically
demonstrates that though he never got the Eagle, Globe and
Anchor (and for officers a rope is included), he got the Marine
persona into the core of his makeup. The evidence of this is
his own personal success and his complete respect and honor he
shows his son upon receiving his Eagle, Globe and Anchor. I
know he understands what makes a Marine and honors that
understanding by presenting his son. (I want to honor his son
also telling him congratulations and welcome to the Corps.
Carry your SAW with pride. Keep your head up and your azz down!)
I was very pleased to see that GySgt Booth also supported this
individual with his comments in newsletter 01 March 2007.
OORRAAHHHH.
With Utmost Respect,
Name Withheld
LtCol USMC(Ret)
USMC OCS 1976
Retired 30 SEP 1997
"It is a principle incorporated into the settled policy of
America, that as peace is better than war, war is better than
tribute."
-James Madison
Dear Sgt. Grit,
With all due respect to Cpl. Samuel Fernley USMC 1993 - Forever
who ranted in the latest newsletter about other people using
"Semper Fi" when they haven't earned it....perhaps he doesn't
understand that parents and spouses, children and siblings HAVE
EARNED the right to say it. We are the ones who faithfully
pray, support, cry, raise the Marine's kids, pay the bills, mail
the letters and care packages, fend off the politicians and
know-nothing neighbors and generally guard the rear of each and
every Marine through boot camp, SOI, training, deployment, and
re-entry into civilian life. And we do it knowing that if our
Marine pays the ultimate sacrifice, he will go to his reward,
but we will be left with a huge empty hole in our lives for the
rest of our lives. "Semper Fi" is not just a "vow that Marines
make to each other and to their Docs", it is a vow that
thousands of us have made as we've swallowed our tears (at least
until they're out of sight) and let our poolees/recruits/Marines
go. Perhaps Cpl. Fernley hasn't seen the Sgt. Grit bumper
stickers "Marine Wife....the toughest job in the Corps" and
"Marine Mom...the toughest job in the Corps."
Do I think those outside of the Marine Corps family should use
it? No. Do I wear an Eagle, Globe, and Anchor? No, (unless it's
part of the logo which says "proud parent of a US Marine" on a
decal or t-shirt). But am I allowed to SAY what I AM: always
faithful? You bet.
DM, proud Mom of TWO UNITED STATES MARINES and their five
siblings
This is in response to Cpl Fernley's Comments about "SEMPER FI"
I served between 83-87 also a Cpl, Anyway now as a civilian "always a Marine" When I spot another Marine active, or like me. I always give em a handshake and a Semper fi! It is awesome
especially wwII vets, I've had some pretty distracted or mad
faces, suddenly break into a huge grin! And a hearty handshake!
God bless you and "SEMPER FI"
To Cpl. Samuel Fernley
USMC 1993 - Forever - Family members have most certainly earned
the right to say "Semper Fi" - If you think you became a
Marine on your own then you are very mistaken. Do you think
your mother slept through each night of your boot camp and/or
deployment? Who sacrificed to send care packages, raise children
left behind, took care of the household, paid bills (the list
goes on and on) while you were at boot camp and/or deployed?
How do you think you got to boot camp in the first place? I
love the bumper sticker that says, "Don't mess with me, I raised
a Marine" - You may have carried a 100 lb pack but your mom
carried you! Think again, Marine -
Semper Fi - Proud Marine Mom and Aunt
Dear Sgt. Grit
Charlotte, N. C. is a hub for US Air and has Marines going thru
our airport on a daily basis. I would like to use your
newsletter to alert all military personnel of our new U. S. O.
located just above the food court. Our Marine Corps League
Charlotte Detachment # 750 has 5 Marines and their wives working
as volunteers in the USO to make you feel at home with food,
drinks, snacks, cookies, computers, games, TV, lounge chairs,
books and magazines.
We have an area for children to play and or rest. We also have a
baby room with diapers, wipes powder etc.
The Charlotte USO has been open long enough for our volunteers
to know how to make our service men and women really feel at
home.
We look forward to seeing you.
Semper Fi.
Mike Goodman, Commandant
Marine Corps League
Detachment # 750
Charlotte, N. C.
"Nothing then is unchangeable but the inherent and unalienable
rights of man."
-Thomas Jefferson
My car was blocked by two employees pulling a long line of
shopping carts at a hardware store (no, I won't name it). While
I politely waited (I appreciate hard work, and theirs was quite
large) while the ladies struggled to get the carts by. Noticing
the Marine stickers on my car, one of the girls asked about my
"Marine Mustang" sticker: "Marine Mustangs, do they have some
kind of baseball team or something?"
I couldn't go there: the disconnect was obviously too great. I
simply replied "yeah."
And I thought later; you know maybe it's a good thing she and
probably many others don't have a clue -- and please, don't make
any mistake that I am referring to the "Mustang" part. I have
served with too many Marines that made my best day a small
shadow compared to their worst day as Marines.
Her cluelessness is a reminder that the citizens of our great
country are protected by the wonderful service women/men serving
our country and can get on with their lives without worrying
about survival. We live as free Americans that many countries
can only dream about.
Charles Sumpter
1968-1975 (2531/0302)
plt 133, 3/26th Marines, 1/9th Marines
ps: I hope she does get it straight about the "baseball team."
All Men Are Created Equal, Then Some Become MARINES!
Sgt. Grit,
I am the wife of a former Marine and a Viet Nam vet. I am so
proud to be the wife of a Marine.
Whenever there was duty to be filled, he was there willingly. He
went to Nam twice, I had to be without my husband and my son's
father but he was there to fight so that my son would not have
to go there when he was old enough.
God bless all Marines, they are always the first to go and the
first to die. All I want to say is that these men that are
calling themselves Marines are not truly a Marine. A Marine
would never turn on his buddy for petty things that they are
being punished for today.
My Marine Corps stands behind each other and is always there to
help, not to be a snitch.
There is nothing I love more than a Marine and each time I turn
on my television and hear about a Marine that has died in
combat, it tears out my heart.
I read a letter from the wife of a Marine in your newsletter and
she stated it right, "the wife loves the Corps when her Marine
loves it and hates the Corps when her husband hates it". We are
as much a part of the Corps as the husband that is on active
duty and still as much a Marine after he has served his time and
is to old to serve again.
God Bless the Corps, our freedom is paved with the blood of the
Marines! Thank you to every Marine that is willing to lay down
his life to preserve the freedom we have.
Nancy Gregoria
Semper Fi
This is for the mom worried about her son at boot camp, as mom's
we worry about our children (that's our job) but he is in good
hands. I worried and cried when my son was at boot but I have
to tell you I cried tears of joy when we went to his graduation
and I saw the transformation! He was always a good kid and
always wanted to be in the military and when I saw him out on
that parade deck I was so proud of him. It is hard to let go of
them but we have to trust in GOD that HE will take care of them.
Our son told us the first couple of weeks were the hardest but
it got better and he even said he would do it all over again. I
was very fortunate that my son's recruiter gave me a list of
web-sites and I was able to connect with a few of the parents
that had son's with mine, and now we are supporting each other
as our young men are getting ready to deploy to the "sandbox" in
a couple of weeks. Keep the faith mom and know that if your son
chose to be a Marine you have done something right!
Ethel H.
Dear California Vietnam Veteran Widow, Marine Mom:
I'm a California Marine Mom too. My son was in Iraq last year.
I understand that you want to talk to him or get an email from
him, but you must understand that he is VERY BUSY doing his job.
When he does get a few spare minutes for a phone call, it's his
wife he wants to talk to -- not his mother. Talking to his
mother might make him feel small and vulnerable and helpless.
It's very important that he does NOT feel that way while he is
in Iraq.
When my son was in Iraq, he was not yet married. (He got
engaged a few weeks after homecoming and then was married three
months later.) He called his girlfriend far more often than he
called Mom and Dad. That did not stop me from writing to him or
sending him packages. This time when he is deployed, I don't
expect to get any calls -- he'll be calling his wife. I have
worked hard to develop a good relationship with his wife, so
that she will tell me how he's doing when he does call. We
haven't talked about homecoming yet, but if he wants me to wait
a few weeks to see him, so that he can have time alone with his
wife, I will understand. The two of them need their "couple
time" alone.
Mom, you have done your job very well. You have raised an
independent, responsible, mature young man. You've raised a
young man who is willing to make great sacrifices to serve his
country. You have a lot to be proud of. Now, you need to let
him be a man.
Linda in CA - Proud Marine Mom
I came across these quotes & I thought you might like them.
"Men do not fight for flag or country, for the Marine Corps or
glory or any abstraction. They fight for one another. And if you
came through this ordeal, you would age with dignity"
-William Manchester. Earned the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, &
two Purple Hearts in the Pacific in WWII.
"There is no honorable way to kill, no gentle way to destroy.
There is nothing good in war, except its ending."
-Abraham Lincoln
R. C. Knight
RVN '66-'67
I am a mom of two Marine lieutenants, one a helicopter pilot
currently deployed in Djibouti and the other a new addition to
the 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton. My parents were
Marines who met in Parris Island during the Korean War, so I am
well aware of the Corps' esprit de Corps.
This past December, on Pearl Harbor Day, to be exact, my big
Chocolate Labrador, Maggie, went missing, I think stolen from a
fenced yard with a locked gate. I posted ads in the local paper
to get her back and a few days later I got a call from someone
who had seen a brown dog alongside the road.
I drove out immediately but failed to find her. The next day I
went again and I found her lying on the shoulder, not a mark on
her. To say I was devastated is an understatement, but my
immediate (and big) problem was getting an 85-lb. Lab into the
back of my little pickup truck.
As I contemplated my situation, several vehicles passed by,
including a red mini-van with a Semper Fi sticker on the hood.
I thought, "Great, where are the Marines when you need them?"
but got back to the task at hand. A couple of minutes later the
same van returned and the driver got out and asked me how he
could help. I told him I was trying to get Maggie into the back
of the truck, and without so much as batting an eye he bent
over, picked her up and gently placed her into the truck bed as
if she weighed nothing.
I can't tell you how grateful I was - the Marines were
DEFINITELY there when I needed them and definitely made a
tragedy more bearable. Semper Fi...
Jane M. Howard
Charlotte, NC
The Longest Day
02-07-2007
Wednesday starts out like any other day. Wake up at six,
exercise bike, oatmeal for breakfast, diet coke for caffeine,
and JAG for entertainment. JAG ends and I get ready for work.
I still have a few minutes before I have to leave, so I turn on
FOX News. Okay time to go. As I stand up, the running blurb
across the bottom of the screen says, "CH-46 crashes north of
Baghdad". Oh Sh!t. I really didn't need to see that. My mind
is racing. Well he's west of Baghdad. He keeps them in the
air; he doesn't go up in them. Well, rarely. Stay positive.
There are a million helicopters there. It's probably not one of
theirs. But what if it is? These are Ryan's Buddies, his
Family for the last seven months, h&ll the last 3 years. It's
going to be a long day.
Typical chaos at work. It's about 10:00 a.m. and the chaos has
helped me not to dwell on the blurb from the news. My cell rings
and I see Rita's smiling face pop up on the screen.
"Hello."
"Hello, Stan?"
She sounds different I think.
"Yeah, what's up?"
"Uh, I got a call from the lady at Family Readiness."
My mind is racing again. They don't call you on the phone with bad news. Oh no, maybe they got extended. Calm down Stan. Just listen.
She says. "The CH-46 that went down was a Purple Fox."
The rest of the conversation is kind of foggy in my mind. She is
going to go home from work. We talk about why he wouldn't be in
a chopper. She couldn't reach Carol, would I please call her.
I can tell she is trying to be strong, but I can hear the doubt
and fear in her voice. I know what I'm going through as a
father. I can't begin to imagine what she is going through as
his wife.
I call Carol. I have to tell her everything. She hasn't heard
about the crash. She's amazing! I feel better after talking to
her even though nothing has changed. She helps me think
logically about it. I know she doesn't think she is strong,
but she is. I draw any strength I may have from her. I call
her several times the rest of the day just to be with her, even
if it was just through the phone.
I find out on the internet that all 7 aboard had been killed.
The news has no facts so they make stuff up. They say the
CH-46 was on a typical transport mission. What? What is typical
about CASVAC (casualty evacuation)? They don't even know what
the troops they are reporting on do. Half the coverage is saying
it was shot down, the other half say it was mechanical failure.
Can't they just wait until they know something concrete?
After lunch, I tell my good friend and boss, Dave, what my day
has been like. I know he will understand. His son, Jim, had
spent 2 tours in Iraq with the 3rd infantry division. During one
tour, 7 people from a maintenance group of the 3rd infantry
division had been captured. Jim was a mechanic. Dave knows
exactly what I am going through. He tells me I can take the rest
of the day off if I want. I stick around the rest of the day,
but don't accomplish anything. I just need a sense of normalcy.
About 3 pm, Carol hears from Rita. She had called a friend of
theirs at Camp Pendleton. A former Purple Fox,. He hadn't
heard and was shaken by the news. These are his buddies too.
He had been with them through the last deployment. He probably
knew everyone on board. He told Rita he would make some calls
and send some emails. Even though communications would be down
for everyone else, he could maybe get some email through because
they were military emails. He did get in touch with a friend of
his and Bryan's at the Pentagon. He found out three of the
seven names. He knew them all. He said there would be one more
pilot and two Corpsmen. That left one unknown. The guy was 99%
sure it wasn't Bryan, because Bryan doesn't usually go on
missions.
Steve stops by after work and Carol relays everything we know to
him. She is very calm and matter of fact in her manner. I'm
sure Steve feels it is surreal, but she is just trying not to
appear as concerned as she really is. We tell him we haven't
called Jen and will do that after her classes are over for the
day.
Later in the evening the phone rings. I pick it up and hear a
weeping voice, "Hello, I need some reassurance that everything
will be okay."
I ask, "Did you hear something from Family Readiness?" That is
the wrong thing to ask.
The reply is, "Dad, This is Jen!"
Oops, we haven't called her yet. She has night classes and we
were waiting till 8 pm to call her, but Steve got to her first.
We tell her everything we know and tell her all she can do is
say some prayers.
The phone rings again at 8 pm. Carol answers. It's Rita. I
hear Carol say, "Oh good."
Rita tells her that Family Readiness called and informed her
that all next of kin had been notified.
What a relief! But also sadness. There are 7 families that
didn't get this call. Instead, they got a visit. I can't even
imagine.
Well, we finally get a phone call on Thursday night at 11:45 pm.
It is so good to hear his voice. There's a big difference in
the conversations I have with him and the ones he has with
Carol. With me it is more guy stuff, not as intimate as he is
with Mom.
I ask how he was doing and he says fine, considering what has
happened. He knew four of the men. He didn't know the two
Corpsmen. They had just rotated in the week before.
Carol says, "I'm so sorry about your buddies." He replied
"Thank you, Momma."
He tells me he has to go. They are going to transport the
remains and he wants to be there. "I love you, Dad."
"I love you too, Bryan:"
The longest day is over.
You can read the stories of the seven lost crew members at this
site http://www.hmm-364.org/iraq-crash.html
Dear Sgt. Grit,
I would like to blow off a little steam, I am a proud mom of a
Marine, my son is currently in the sandbox but should be home
next month, he was wounded in action in December and thankfully
was not too serious. I currently interviewed with a company and
was able to get that second interview. During the interview I
was offered the job, I explained that my son is coming home from
Iraq and need to be at the homecoming. I was told that taking
time off would be fine under the circumstances. The next
morning, I received a call from them stating that they were
withdrawing the job offer due to me taking time off to go see my
son, that it would not be appropriate at this time for me to
work there and then leave for a week (per her superiors). I was
devastated that anyone could be so cold hearted.
With the war going on you would think that people would be a
little more sympathetic. After thinking about this, I am now
glad that I am not working for a company like that and have been
told by many that I do not need to work for people like them. My
son has seen and been through more than in these last few months
than most of us will in a lifetime. My heart goes out to all of
our Marines, Sailors and Soldiers and their families. Praying
that they all come home safe.
Anxiously waiting patiently for the grand homecoming.
Sue
VPMM
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve
in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly
proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars
were treated and appreciated by their nation."
-George Washington
Dear Sgt. Grit:
In response to California Vietnam Veteran Widow, Marine Mom who
was wondering if she lost her son to the apricots because he did
not want her to go to his homecoming from Iraq. I can touch on
this subject briefly and from two perspectives. My husband is
currently deployed on the 26th MEU, but returned February 2006
from a 7 month deployment to Fallujah with 2/2 Infantry. He and
I discussed this similar situation when we were deciding whether
or not we wanted family to come to his homecoming. The simple
matter is, the Marine is so overwhelmed coming home period that
it's hard enough to just say hello to his wife (and kids, if he
has them). My husband and I have two and we elected for them to
stay with family when my husband returned. This allowed for some
transition time. My husband had to get re-acclimated to live
back home. He had to get used to driving a regular car, to
sleeping in a real bed, to being around civilians; that is a lot
of sensory overload. He wanted to spend it with me because he
had been separated from his lifetime partner for over 7 months.
I know that sounds unacceptable to a mother- believe me I'm a
mother, too- but think about how you felt when you got married
to your husband; especially if he were in the military. The
promise of love is so fleeting and uncertain that you want the
one you married to be the first you see. You ALWAYS know that a
momma loves you and she will ALWAYS be there for you. Your son
knows this too. Allow him this transitional time to get used to
the family he has created because he will be living with them
for the rest of his life. I'm sure he will be home when he gets
his block leave and you can have him all you want. Just
remember, (I'm not sure if this is your son's first deployment
or not) don't overload him by planning so many family reunions
and activities that he can't see straight. He needs time to
relax and to get used to being home. Sometimes it takes a couple
of weeks to do this. It took my husband almost a month to get
used to be home. He couldn't sleep, he jumped straight up in bed
at the sound of a car backfiring, he had to always sit watching
a door, and he was always tense in public. Your son is coming
from a war zone and it will make this more tense if you go
against his wishes by showing up to homecoming and causing one
there.
Amy B.- Proud Marine Wife, 2nd deployment survivor
Story of the Stamp
(on General Info section of Marine Corps Stories)
"Courage and resolution are the spirit and soul of virtue."
-Thomas Fuller
God Bless America!
Semper fi
Sgt Grit
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