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Sgt. Grit:
Marine Moms are a special breed; they are proud of their sons
and daughters, and they never forget that "it doesn't always
have to be somebody else's son (or daughter)." who sails into
harm's way.
My mother belongs to that "greatest generation" who made the
most grueling sacrifices during the Second World War. She and my
father still serve as my role models. The list of celebrities,
politicians, and businessmen who joined up to defeat the Axis
Powers is endless: Teddy Roosevelt Jr., James Roosevelt, Jimmy
Stewart, and John Ford - to name a few. She joined the Womens'
Army Corps in 1943 and took basic training at Ft. Oglethorpe,
Ga. If you watch the movie "Keep Your Powder Dry", she's the
short WAC near the left front at morning formation. She achieved
the rank of T-4, and married my father at Camp Kilmer in 1945,
following him and the 88th ID to northern Italy when Tito had
designs on Trieste and a big portion of Friuli.
She was discharged in 1946, and returned to the US with my
father and my sister, who was born two days before they embarked
at Livorno. She endured Fort Bliss, and sharing a bathroom with
another young couple in Hyde Park, Chicago through 1949 to 1951
when my father was recalled to active duty for the Korean War.
When the war was over, they moved back to Chicago and she took a
job at Armour Institute helping out a man who did a lot of
Titanium research.
When I was in kindergarten, there was a severe shortage of
teachers, so she volunteered again, this time to teach my class.
None of the other kids ever knew she was my mother until the
last day when I slipped up.
She continued to teach for another twenty-five years, bringing
the three R's to two generations of students on Chicago's west
side.
She supported me through college, always exhorting me to
improve. I finally caught on my junior year and after that my
grades were stellar.
When I told my dad that I'd enlisted in the Marine Corps after
graduating, his comment was: "Mother, come here and talk to your
son." If she had any misgivings, she never let it show. Her
attitude was: "Return with your shield or on it." When I was
commissioned three years later, she was the proudest mom in the
Commonwealth of Virginia. My Dad got my silver dollar; he
promptly handed it to her.
She endured my shipping out to Okinawa, my deployments, and my
father's passing with courage, and she managed to stay in her
home until she was 88 years old. Currently, she's in the
Illinois Veterans' Home. Every time I visit her, she introduces
me to everybody as: "My son, the Marine."
She started a book ten years ago about her experiences with my
father in Cividale del Friuli in 1945-47 called "Signora
Sergente". I wish I could finish it, but I probably couldn't do
it proper justice.
So remember, Leathernecks, we may have endured recruit training,
endless field work, long deployments, C-rations, and bad press,
but it's our parents who aimed us high enough to achieve; who
instilled in us the courage to go the extra mile for our
country. This special lady, my mother, exhibits the best of
those talents. Remember your moms on Mothers' Day.
K. Brown
Kind Of Smiled
Goooooooooooooood morning Sgt!
First "OUTSTANDING" job on the website! Just a note to add to
the newsletter, several weeks ago I was called by the family of
a WW 2 Army Veteran to play the bagpipes at his funeral. I told
them "of course it would be my honor to do so". They requested
"Full Dress" with the jacket, plaid over the shoulder and
feather bonnet. When I arrived at the grave site there was an
Honor Guard to do the military rites and I noticed one gentleman
keeping a close eye on me. After the ceremony this gentleman
came over to me and said he noticed the EGA on the side of my
bonnet and asked when I had served. I told him I served with the
3rd MarDiv in 1966 to 1969, he said he had served with the 1ST
MarDiv in WW2. There were 12 members present representing the
Honor Guard but only one Marine in the group, this gruff Marine
looked at me and kind of smiled and said "after seeing the EGA I
thought you and I could have handled this ceremony by ourselves.
I started to laugh and told him "Yes Sir we could have" and told
him it was my honor and pleasure to participate with him. Just
made me think you cannot beat a Marine or the way we think!
"Semper FI"...our motto and a way of life! Cpl Brown 3rdMarDiv
66-69 RVN 67-68
5th Annual GriTogether - An Outstanding Day
Hundreds of Marines and family members came out to enjoy the 5th Annual GriTogether ? everyone had a great time...If you missed it, check out the highlights and see some pictures.
Army Of The Sea Of America
hey Sgt Grit,
I'm stationed down in Quantico VA, at TBS I decided to get the
ink done in the pic when I graduated from school and became
active in the Marine Corps. I took three years of Arabic in
College, loved every minute of it and decided to get something
to remember the important things in my life put together, Arabic
and the Marine Corps. the result is what is across my back now.
hope you enjoy. the page is very motivating. keep up the good
work.
It's United States Marine Corps in Arabic. Translation is "Qawat
misha al-Bahryihal al-Americaia" army of the sea of America is
the literal translation. But essentially the trans means USMC in
English.
Semper Fidelis
2nd Lt Greg Meyer
Just A Simple Woman
Dear Sgt Grit; Each week I look forward to reading your
newsletter. To me it is a breath of fresh air in a sometimes
cloudy media atmosphere. Being and old Marine nearing my 60th
birthday I can look back to a time when I was a young and
enthusiastic boy. Like most young men I was geared up to prove
something, out to earn the title Man. With most of my friends
in the military or running around trying to be hippies I decided
to join the Marine Corps. Sometimes it seems like it was just
yesterday when I stood in those yellow footprints, scared to
death and trying not to show it. But this is not a story about
me it?s about my Marine Mom.
My mother was just a simple woman who grew up in a time of the
great depression and a World War to hard work and little reward
to become a wife, mother and a housewife. She never traveled
more than 200 miles from her home but on one cold February
morning in 1969 she boarded a bus to travel over 500 miles to a
place she only knew by addressing letters, Parris Island South
Carolina. She arrived a day before my graduation to be greeted
with respect and honor and escorted to the Hostesses House and a
tour of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. It wasn?t till later on
in the evening that we were permitted to join our families for a
meal and time together. I still remember the look on my mother?s
face when she first saw me. It was of surprise and pride. That
night the boy she gave up became a man and she was so proud.
My mother like so many other Marine Moms was so very proud of
me. She kept my Dress Blues picture close at hand to show
everyone her handsome Marine as she called me. She was fiercely
proud and very defensive of me in a time when being in the
military was not exactly a good thing.
My Marine Mom is gone now, and there isn?t a day that goes by
that I don?t think of her. One of the things that she has with
her is that old faded picture she kept close at hand of her
handsome Marine.
To all the wonderful Marine Moms out there I salute you. In my
travels with the Marine Corps League I have meet quite a few
Marine Mom?s. Each one is very proud of their Marine and almost
everyone had a Dress Blues picture. On this Mothers Day I will
remember my Marine Mom and pray for all the other Marine Moms.
Because you are the foundations of the Corps you give it
strength with your sons and daughters you are the Honor, Courage
and Commitment each Marine strives to achieve. Without you the
Marine Corps is nothing, with you it is the finest fighting
force in the world. So Happy Mother?s Day Marine Moms and May
God Bless each and every one of you. And remember Semper Fi is
not just a phase it?s an attitude.
Semper Fi.
Anthony P. Sandrick, Jr. Cpl of Marines 1968 to 1972
My Timing Was Off
Sgt Grit: It is time for a little levity, so here goes: Other
peoples' pain is funny, except when you are that OTHER PEOPLE.
I have had the honor on two occasions. The first was as the
PAINEE, the second will be in another newsletter.
LOCATION: Pickel Meadows, Northern California, January &
February 1961. Temperature is zero degrees, snow up to our
hips, six inches of cold weather clothing issued by the UNITED
STATES MARINE CORPS and three inches of manliness issued by
mother nature.
You know the drill. It is O dark thirty and we are freezing in
formation for roll call. The Gunny then asks if any of us are
from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah or other cold weather states.
Being a Colorado native, like a dummy, I step forward and was
told in no uncertain terms "You are volunteered for Mountain Ski
Combat Tactical School. Report by 900 hours for instructions."
Being from the eastern plains of Colorado I had never seen a
pair of skis much less slushed through the snow on them. So
with a deer in the head lights look on my face, I reported as
ordered for...instruction in cold weather snooping and pooping .
(Cold weather combat tactics).
Being six feet tall and weighing 130 pounds I was a natural. I
could stand next to a snow covered tree and pass for branch
covered with snow. After some intense instructions I learned
how to ski with a sixty pound pack and an M1 Rifle.
At the end of our instructions we were to participate in a three
day cold weather war exercise. I was assigned to be point man
and apply all that I had learned. I was to find a route to our
objective that would maximize our tactical advantage and give a
greater element of surprise.. The enemy force was prepared for
us to from the eastern sector. The route that I had found was
steep, wrought with obstacles hiding under the snow, but gave
the advantages we were looking for, surprise and camouflage.
With our plan of attack set and approved, we set out to be
conquering heroes.. I took off huckkety-buck, flying down the
slope like white aspen tree on two skis. Zigging & zagging and
being Gung-Ho as h&ll. H&ll, Chesty would have been proud of
me. THEN IT HAPPENED. A three foot tree stump just popped up
out of nowhere 25 to 30 feet in front of me.. Training took
over, I spread my skis at 45 degrees, through myself backwards
onto my back, knowing that the weight of back-pack and 782 Gear
would slow me down and stop me in time to avoid the inevitable
collision with that God@#%$&# 3' tree stump. My timing was
off, to quote Agent Maxwell Smart of GET SMART, "I missed by
that much". The end result was that I plowed into that
God@#%$&# 3 foot tree stump spread eagled at about 20 MPH . I
did a horse shoe ringer around the God@#$#$&*^ 3 foot tree stump
and went down the embankment in the most excruciating pain I
have ever endured, and I have had quintuplet by-pass surgery.
With my manliness smashed and my testicles swollen to the size
of cantaloupes I lay there writhing in pain. My squad and
platoon leaders came down to where, I was sure, was my eminent
place of death, to see if I was OK. Being certain that I would
live but not reproduce, they burst out laughing. They broke
radio silence and took 15 minutes call for a corpsman because
they were laughing too hard to transmit the incident report.
The rest of the squad was called to assist in extracting my
sorry carcass out of the ditch. Upon seeing my condition they
too burst out in uncontrollable laughter. I for the life of me
could see no humor in my pain. In what seemed like an eternity
a corpsman and an aid team finally arrived to take me down the
mountain to an awaiting ambulance. It took 20 Marines and a
Corpsman two and half hours to carry my sorry a*s half a mile to
the ambulance. Someone would slip in the snow and giggle as I
moaned in pain. Then the rest would start laughing and they
would slam me down and I would scream and the laughter would
start anew. They would apologize and start laughing all over
again.
They finally got me to the bottom of the mountain when some
light colonel showed up to find out what was going. It took
2ndLt Henry another twenty minutes to explain between fits of
laughter. As they were putting me into the ambulance the
Colonel "Pats" me on leg and says, "You're going to be OK
Marine". I PASSED OUT. I don't want to hear any more laughing.
Painfully submitted: L/Cpl G.D. Vallejos USMC 1960-1966
Chattanooga National Cemetery
To a bunch of REAL GOOD MEN!
NC
A Fifty Seven Year Remembrance!
On hill 307, a/k/a HORSESHOE RIDGE. At 8 in the evening until 10
the next morning, IT HIT the FAN. The 1st Batt., 1st Marines
were thrown into the gap left by the retreating 6th ROK
division. To plug a portion of the hole so the army on the west
and the 7th Marines on the east could regroup, hold and maintain
their position until given orders to establish another line.
Charlie Company had the high position from which the Chinese
tried to attack for the 14 hours.
The Company lost 15-20 KIA's and 110 WIA's during the
engagement. Two squads of that company took the TOTAL 14 hour
brunt of that attack. And the machine gun fired over 10,000
rounds that night without one misfire. Which was a very good
thing, cause after he had been hit for the second time, the
squad leader for the gun, Robert Handley evacuated himself to
the Aid station at the bottom of the hill, with the shell
extractor in his top pocket of his jacket.
It was reported by an FO, the next day who flew over the hill
that between 2400 and 2500 were laying out in front of that
hill. They usually carried their KIA's away from the scene, but
evidently there wasn't enough remaining to do same. Everybody in
the Battalion took fire that night, and both squads, above, one
rifle and one light machine gun had a total of 5 men leave the
hill the next morning without being one of the above casualties.
And, fortunately, 4 of the 5 are still around.
And we remain,
SF
Norman Callahan
C-1-1
Korea
Chesty's last regimental command
I Still Eat Slow
In 1954 I left high school as a skinny, weak, and pampered kid
and joined the Corps. Upon arrival at MCRD San Diego I got the
crap stomped out of me for talking back to a PFC that was
picking me up at the airport. After my second week I was made to
duck walk completely around the "grinder" because I called my
trousers, "pants".
I am, and always have been, a very slow eater. All through boot
camp we were given 15 minutes to march into the mess hall, get
our food, eat, and return to formation behind the mess hall. I
can't even season my food in 15 minutes so therefore I was
always late for formation. After every meal, either the SDI or
the JDI would bounce me off of every wall in the Duty Room for
eating so slow. I went through 18 weeks of this and I still eat
slow.
I tell people about this and they call it sadistic and cruel. I
always tell them that I came out of MCRD a little heavier, in
fantastic shape, a definite respect for authority, and a far
better person than I was going in. For 18 weeks I feared my DI's
more than death but I later saw that there was a reason for each
and every thing that they made us do.
To this day, I still remember, and practice, the lessons I
learned in the Corps. The Corps made me a much better person and
I will never regret my tour of duty.
Semper Fi
Sid C. Gerling
Sgt of Marines
Bought This T-shirt
During a recent trip to a war zone in Burma to perform an
assessment for a private contracting company Jack Slade took
these photos. I was asked to forward them to you for your news
letter.
Jack gave a shirt that he bought from your company to one of the
KNLA rebel fighters. Jack was very impressed by this freedom
fighter. Jack asked if he had ever used the handcuffs on his web
gear and he said "yes, every time I man the .50 cal machine gun"
Jack was a little confused and asked what he meant. The freedom
fighter told Jack that he handcuffs himself to the .50 cal
machine gun so that he is not tempted to run away if his base
camp is being over run by the DKBA or SPDC (bad guys). This so
impressed Jack that he gave him this t-shirt.
Jack bought this t-shirt from SGT grit in remembrance of his
best friend and machine gunner Chris Reger, may he rest in
peace. This shirt has been worn on many missions and even The
Las Vegas marathon that he ran with 61lbs of gear in a "support
out troops" run. Now it goes to a tough Freedom fighter in
Burma. Jack hopes it gives him the strength it gave him.
The other shirt Jack sent pics of says "Marines don't suffer
from insanity we enjoy every minute of it". This was given to
Jack by Chris's sister Vicki. She bought it from your website.
Please post these photos for Jack, he is in Burma and asked me
to forward them to you. He reads your newsletter all the time.
Semper fi!
David Gray USMC
Over Fifty Years
Sgt Grit,
I'd like to share with you and your readers two photos of two
great men that have been good friends for over fifty years! The
first picture was taken at Qui Nhon, Vietnam in Aug, 1965. On
the left is my dad, Retired SgtMajor John Swindle (then
GunnerySgt) with Retired SgtMajor John Semensow (then 1stSgt).
They were with 2nd Bn 7th Marines.
The second picture was taken Oct, 2007 in Oceanside, CA. On the
right is my dad, Retired SgtMajor Swindle, and on the left is
Retired SgtMajor Semensow. Them being good friends for over
fifty years is just amazing to me!
Donna Swindle
Baby Blue Marine
Dear Sgt Grit, I was setting reading some stories and thought
back to boot camp I enlisted in June 1980 and went to basic at
MCRD San Diego, California and was a young long haired kid of 17
when we got to MCRD the drill instructor got on the bus and
started screaming at us to get up and off the bus as we were
making our way off another guy was so scared he tripped and fell
off the bus and busted his head open right off the bat! boy was
that a wake up call saying what the h&ll did I get myself into.
We went to the receiving barracks and was up all night getting
hair cuts, clothing etc. I enlisted with my cousin and after the
hair cuts I didn't know where he was but after a minute or two
realized he was just the next recruit over next to me I couldn't
tell him from any one else we all looked alike!
Any way I was a fat guy and became a DIET Private. That really
sucked as I only received half rations in the chow line. Man was
I hungry all the time. As we proceeded through boot camp and at
the end of phase one I was not able to complete the pt test
because I couldn't do pull ups so I was dropped to PCP which was
psychical conditioning platoon or as we called it pork chop
platoon and was required to pt twice a day for two hours each
this was really tough and our pt gear got so sweat soaked that
the metal hangers they were hung on in the shower room would
rust due to the ammonia content from our sweat. You can imagine
the smell but we were only able to wash our cloths on Sundays.
Me and another fellow Marine would set on our foot lockers at
night and see how many different kinds of sweets we could name
and sip cinnamon flavored mouth wash as it had a nice sweet
flavor, that sounds crazy but when you crave sweets you do what
ever it takes to taste something sweet!
After four weeks there I was picked up by another platoon to
continue my training and after two weeks there I was tested
again and again for some reason I wasn't able to do pull ups so
I was sent back to the pork chop platoon I was so depressed I
had thoughts of dropping out and was asked by my drill
instructor if I wanted to go home. At first this sounded great
just to get away from all this madness but then I started
thinking about how me and my father had talked about when he was
in the Corps in 1953 and how hard boot camp was so some of his
fellow Marines had dropped out and went home and they were given
the label of "BABY BLUE MARINE" I thought how would I be able to
face my family and friends if I to dropped out and went home so
for that reason and the fact that I deeply desired to make my
father proud of me I searched deep inside and decided that
nothing was going stop me from becoming a lean mean fighting
machine and continued my training.
I was eventually returned to yet another platoon 2nd battalion
Marines and these guys didn't like drop privates at all and at
first wouldn't accept me as one of their own. so one night while
I was sleeping I got what I call code red done to me where they
took a blanket and covered me and held it down while the others
beat the holy crap out of me I fought with all my might but was
beaten black and blue. Literally the commotion woke the drill
instructor and the lights came on he came out and asked just
what in the h&ll was going on and I told him what had been done
to me.
He made us all come to the front of the barracks and sit down
then he told me to stand in front of everyone and he started
having me answer questions about what I had been through with my
training while I had been in boot camp I told them of my
rigorous physical training and all the mental challenges and
just how hard it was to continue and then he asked "TELL ME
Marines HOW MANY of you could do WHAT HE has DONE" they all
seemed to be ashamed of themselves for the way they had treated
me and from that day forward my entire platoon helped and
encouraged me every day to become stronger with my psychical
handicap and when it was time to test me again for my psychical
abilities I was able to do my pull ups and all of my other
requirements and did graduate with my platoon.
In all I was in boot camp 5 Months which seemed to be and
eternity but at the end I can say it was worth every minute of
every day because I can stand and say I am a UNITED STATE
MARINE! OOORAH Semper Fi
Cpl Terry G. Fortner 1980-83
Court Street
Sgt Grit,
Just wondering if anyone can tell me whatever became of Court
Street in Jacksonville, N.C.? All of you Marines and Corpsman
out there who were stationed at Camp Geiger or Camp Lejeune will
know what I mean, as it was one of the only places to go around
Jacksonville unless you hit the bars on Highway 17. I asked a
Marine who was recently discharged and he was not aware of a
"Court Street".
Then I asked another Marine from the 80's and he told me he had
heard that Court Street was "closed". I was stationed at Gieger
from 81 to 85 and the street, which if memory serves me
correctly, was only about 3 or 4 blocks long, was a hustling,
bustling place full of bars and tattoo parlors and little else.
The cabbies all knew the area well! Aside from Court Street and
the little bars on Highway 17, I don't recall too many other
places to go that could hold a Marines attention for long! Of
course things have changed over the years, so I am not too sure
what a Gyreen does to occupy himself these days! lol
To all our brothers and sisters in harm's way, take care, God
bless you and know that we are thinking about all of you! To
those that have given their bodies or the ultimate sacrifice -
know that we love you all and are proud of you!
Semper Fi
Mike Kunkel
Cpl. 0331
81-85
Lima 3/8
Got Misty Eyed
A few weeks ago I was searching on the Internet for horse items.
I found a website about a young lady who makes what she calls
"rhythm beads" for horses. She mentioned that she had Army and
Navy related items to put a military theme on the beads but had
not found any Marine Corps or Air Force items. I searched and
found some Marine Corps pendants and emailed her the information
mentioning that I would like to buy rhythm beads with a Marine
pendant. She replied that she had found some Marine pendants
and would look at the information that I had sent her. This
young lady then thanked me for my service to our country and
offered to send me the rhythm beads with an EGA as a gift for my
service. I received the beads and the picture is of my horse with the beads on. This old Marine got misty eyed.
I was stationed at Camp Margarita in 1961 with L/3/5 and in
1962/1963 with C/1/5 and I remember the roach coaches that came
around. Don?t remember the names of the coaches.
I went thru boot camp at MCRD San Diego starting in August of
1960 and remember very well going thru the rifle range. Not
sure whether it was Camp Elliott or Camp Matthews. We were in
tents and did a lot of duck walking. Did some of that at MCRD
plus the bucket drills. MCRD had Quonset huts rather than
barracks. We did a force march from the rifle range back to
MCRD with one steep hill. All non-quals had to run around the
platoon all the way back to MCRD. Fortunately, I qualified
expert that being the only time I shot expert during the time at
rifle range.
I was fortunate in that during active duty we were using M1-
Garands until 1962 then were issued M-14?s. While in the
reserves we used M-16?s. Life is great.
Semper Fi
Frank D Briceno
USMC/USMCR
Provide Amusement
Dear Sgt Grit:
Several items in the 24 April 2008 Newsletter brought back fond
memories of Platoon 329 MCRD 1951.
I have a heavy beard; so many mornings I was allowed to Duck
Walk to provide amusement for the DIs due to "not shaving".
Luckily I didn't smoke, because they also enjoyed having secret
smokers puff a whole pack with a bucket on their heads.
As for Camp Mathews, our DIs also liked to march us up Little or
Big Agony almost to the top, then do "To the Rear March" almost
to the bottom, followed by another "To The rear March" back
toward the top. They would keep this up until the dust got too
dense to see us anymore.
Funny thing how these things and some other equally pleasant
activities made a MAN out of me.
William Thompson Sgt 1951-1953
I Almost Caught
In 1950 I was at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego.
There was a lot of things going through boot Camp and some not
so funny things, We would go to Camp Matthews rifle range for
two weeks which now I think the University of California is on
that property.
We all lived in Tents four men to a Tent and on the outside of
the tents there several buckets of water hanging in the outside
of the tent filled with water in the case of a fire. The first
thing the DI told us was if we knock one Of the buckets of off
its mounted which was a big nail holding the Bucket. We were all
told to fall OUT of the tents with SeaBags packed with all our
belongs. Of course this was all double time and some one ran
into me and down fell the Bucket, immediately the drill
instructor called as loud as he could, Pvt Smith bring the
bucket here and better run and fast.
I think I almost caught the bucket before it hit the ground. I
reported to him Pvt Smith is here as ordered sir, start drinking
the water and there were a lot of bugs drowned in bucket. This
went on for three days and he had me report to him every day for
three days with the bucket just before chow time to drink more
and on the 4th day he said have you learned your lesson Yes Sir,
then he poured the remainder over my head. Now a days I don't
think they would allow this but I always laugh when I think Of
It.
Robert O. Smith
USMC Ret.
1095896
Look Out
Dear Sgt Grit:
Reading the letters in your current issue reminded me of an
incident that happened to me on Okinawa in 1965. I was assigned
to 1stMarDiv Embark section. I was working at White Beach
Loading some navy ship as was my job. I got a call to report to
my office asap, which was on the 2nd floor of division hq at
Camp Cortney. I didn't waste any time and raced to hq, jumped
out of my vehicle and raced into the building. Literally running
up the stairs and around the corner, I ran smack dab into the
Asst Div Commander, knocking him and his aide flat on their
a**es. Mumbling apologies I hurried to help them to their feet,
hoping i wouldn't be in to much trouble. The general took it
pretty good wanting to know why I was in such a hurry and maybe
I should slow down in the CP. he told me to get back to work and
forget about it and just take it easy. I got out of there at a
quick as I could, still apologizing and soon disappeared into
the Embark office.
Not the end of the story. A few days later I was walking down
the hall and the general and his aide were approaching so in
proper military courtesy I moved to the side to wait for them to
pass. The general saw me and jumped against the wall and said,
"look out for that sergeant, he'll know you on your a** if you
get in his way". I couldn't help but laugh as he waited for me
to pass, gave me a wink and asked if I ever got that ship
loaded....
Maybe that why I retired a Gunny, the 2nd best rank in the MC. ;)
Semper FI
Jerry R Hattox
GySgt USMC 1954-RIP
I Rather Doubt
Sgt Grit, I last wrote you in Nov '04 from Iraq. The past 4
years have really flown by. I've worked Iraq, Liberia and now
I'm a cherry in Afghanistan (been here 3 months).
I was looking up some old friends from the days and found some.
Then searched for my platoon from "HOLLYWOOD" (yes, I know its
taboo but we called it that) 1st Bn C Co Platoon 1097 graduated
7 Dec, 1984. I found out my Senior DI is the 16th SgtMaj of the
Marine Corps. SgtMaj. Kent was an outstanding role model for all
of us in the platoon. He held us to some pretty high standards
and demanded perfection from us. All of us have memories of boot
camp and thought I would share a couple of mine.
In October 1984 our platoon had mess and maint week at San
Onofre, one of the privates got a can of Copenhagen from one of
the permanent duty Marines at the chow hall. We enjoyed the
little bit of satisfaction when our Senior DI, SSGT Kent, came
in the chow hall to make sure we weren't screwing off. Not
wanting to get caught, I swallowed the Copenhagen and fought the
urge to puke. SSGT Kent was very proficient at the thrashings he
dished out and knew I would pay dearly if caught. I rather doubt
he will come to Kabul to thrash me for something from 24 years
ago but I wouldn't put it past him.
Another memory was in the squad bay and SSGT Kent called the
squad leaders and guide into the duty hut. They were on their
knees at attention as I was peeking through a crack in the
blinds. SSGT Kent had his NCO sword and raised it like Conan the
Barbarian, I thought he was going to cut their heads off with
one stroke....he didn't but sure raised the fear in them.
With some blood, a lot of sweat and tears, we survived recruit
training.
I am proud to say I was one of SgtMaj Kent's "F*$&ing Pigs"
(what the SgtMaj called us).
I never had the chance to meet him in the fleet but by
everything I have read, HE IS ONE H&LL OF A MARINE.
Semper Fi
Sgt David Howard, USMC
Sept. 1984-Dec.1991
David Howard (Union City OK)
Kabul, Afghanistan
All The Army Officers
From a former lieutenant (artillery FO and advisor to the RVN
Marines in 1965-1967, with a son currently serving with the
Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Navy surgeon). This gent
also has 'combat' time in Iraq working for some government
agencies...
Great story. When I was a student at the JFK Special Warfare
School at Ft. Bragg, NC in 1966, the Marine Liaison officer, a
major, said to the five of us Marines in a class of 60 Army
officers all scheduled to be advisors," You WILL finish in the
top 20 % of the class." We all did and at the graduation
ceremony, they first played "When the Caissons Coming Rolling
Along." All of the Army officers (mostly colonels, lieutenant
colonels and majors) just sat and chatted among themselves.
When they struck up the Marine Hymn, the five of us popped up
from our seats and stood at attention. When it was over, as we
sat down, all 55 Army officers stood up and gave us a standing
ovation. That is Marine Corps pride and the respect of our
sister service. Oooorraaahhh!
Dick Cavagnol
Lied About His Age
Jack Lucas lied about his age at 14 and enlisted in 1942. He was
17 when he pulled two grenades under him on Iwo Jima, saving the
lives of fellow Marines. Jack survived mainly because one
grenade was a dud. He was the youngest Marine at that time to
have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Jack is now 80 yrs old and
is a treasured member (and former Commandant) of our MCL
Detachment. He was recently diagnosed with cancer and is at home
undergoing treatment. Please keep him and his wife Ruby in your
prayers.
Lamar Reynolds
Commandant
Commiskey-Wheat Detachment
Marine Corps League
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
MARS STATION
MARINE MARS STATION OPERATORS gathering at Veteran Communicators
Reunion (VCR) 2008, Veteran Communicators of all services, all
years. 18-21 September 2008, Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Las
Vegas, NV. Contact Jack Williams, e-mail rjwilliams (at)cox.net,
phone 619-224-8767, www.veterancommunicators.org (or include
your POC info)"
Thanks, Semper Fi
rw
It Starts Off
Dear Sgt. Grit.
I am trying to find the entire words to the old Marine Corps
drinking song. It starts off with
"You can have your Army kaki boys you can have your Navy blue"
It ends with" And if old St Peter turns him down right straight
back to H&ll he'll go and he'll kick the devil off the throne
and boss the whole dam show."
We use to sing this in the Old Slop shoot in area 4 at Camp
Lejeune in back in 1943.
Gunnery Sgt. E.E. Mazzie 539252 F.M.F
My Only Regret
Full disclosure, Marines - I'm the membership chair for the
3rdMarDiv Assoc - but my comments cross over to ALL Marine Corps
veterans organizations.
I'm a member of quite a few of those organizations and the
benefits of those memberships never cease to amaze me.
Two years ago, for example, I attended the 40th anniversary
reunion of my boot camp platoon. When we were hunting for all
the members of that platoon, 2 or 3 names were quickly picked up
from the 3rdMarDiv Assoc member roster. I think others were
found through the Marine Corps League and/or other MarCor
groups.
Just last week, I was asked to do a favor for an old (non-
Marine) friend. To do so meant contacting any Marine who
happened to live in Davenport, Iowa. I went to the roster, found
a name, contacted him and - just as I would do for another
Marine in the same boat - he helped me out within less than 24
hours. We didn't know each other, we'd never met. All we had in
common was the Corps and then the 3rdMarDiv Assoc.
Marines, if you're not a member of one or another organization,
you're missing out on a lot of opportunities to reconnect with
old friends and to make new ones. Those of you who are members
of one or another group should be spreading the word, too,
especially to the latest wave of younger Marines from, let's
say, Gulf War One forward. It took me a while, after 'Nam, to
join up and get active and my only regret is that I didn't do so
sooner. It's up to us to urge these younger Marines to join up,
to welcome them and to make sure they understand we really are a
family.
To you Moms, Dads, spouses, etc. - most organizations allow for
at least associate memberships, it not regular memberships, to
make sure you're part of the family, too.
Don't know if there is an organization to which you would feel a
special kinship? Do a web search. You'd be surprised how many
organizations are out there, sometimes down to a Company level.
And if you can't find that one particular group, try the next
level up - Battalion, Battery, Regiment, Division, Wing -
whatever.
Give it a shot - you don't know what you might be missing.
Maybe some readers will want to chime in on this subject with
their own stories.
Semper Fi,
Peter Schlesiona (G/2/4, 67-68)
Just A Marine
Reading the letters of family of Chosin Marines I thought I'd
share my own little story.
My father is a Chosin Marine. We all knew he served in Korea but
that was it. For his own reasons he never talked about his
service. He was always proud to have served in the Corps but
even his own family knew very little of his time there save that
he was wounded and forever more would need a brace and special
shoes to make up for the wounds he received and that the fingers
of his hands were deformed from frostbite.
When I joined the FMDA I tried to get him to join as well and he
would always give one excuse or another for not joining.
A couple of years ago we had a Memorial Day celebration and my
wife and I met some Korean Marine vets. I mentioned that my
father was in Korea. We exchanged information and last year I
received an invitation to an event honoring Korea vets. Since
Dad was the one who served in Korea I asked him to come. As we
entered we noticed a lot of vets, mostly Army. There were
officials of the South Korean government there.
Some people were going around asking what service and where did
they serve. Dad simply said, Marine and Chosin. Later the vets
were asked to form a line so that the government representatives
could offer thanks.
The Marines were asked to be at the head of the line. The reps
bowed to each Marine (something they did not do to the Army vets
which upset them) and thanked them for their service. One old
Korean vet, upon finding out Dad was at Chosin and Inchon again
bowed to my Dad. He then took off his ROK Marine pin and gave it
to my Dad as a token of his thanks for saving his country. Dad
once said that he didn't do anything special. He was just a
Marine rifleman who did his duty and went where he was told. The
fact that he endured Chosin alone makes him a Hero. When I hear
others boast of the sacrifices they made I think of Dad and the
h&ll he went through and of the life he gave up after his
wounds. Considering all he went through he has every right to
boast and brag and yet he still insists that he did nothing
special, he was just a Marine doing his duty. Ask older South
Koreans and they will tell you what he and all the other Marines
did was so special that they know the freedoms we have. And as
for being just a Marine doing his duty, I for one can not think
of a better compliment. No Marine is just a Marine.
HM3 Luis De La Cruz USN, FMF
3rd Tracs 75-77
Proud son of Cpl Frank Valtierra USMC
Inchon/Chosin Korea
Doc's Actions
sgt. grit, a number of years ago i had an invasive surgery that
set off my pancreas and ended up with pancretitus. while in the
university hospital in s.lc., ut. i met a corpman who installed
a (pic line) in my chest so i could eat, persay. this corpsman,
who unfortunity i cannot remember his name, found out about an
incident with the x-ray tech that i had had. i was unable to
move and needed to relieve myself, but the tech would not help
me off the table. he said ( urinate on yourself). which
embarassingly i did. when i looked at the window to my left
there were two nurses standing watching every move. i was hot.
after getting my ride back to my bed i reported this to the
administration and the tech was immeadiatly terminated. when doc
found out about this he headed to x-ray to open a can of whoop
a$s on this tech. fortune smilled on this tech because doc was
restrained from carring out his mission. i will never forget
docs actions and just want to thank him, after all these years.
thanks doc.
joe mish usmc 63-67
I Was Assigned
I just read the article by...CPL. Jack Bublik.... USMC about
being kicked off a flight and ending up in first class. I had a
similar experience, after my first tour in RVN, I was assigned
to I&I Duty in Norman, Oklahoma. My Aunt who I was very close to
passed away in '68 and I took five days annual leave to attend
the funeral. At the time, service members in uniform could fly
for half fare but if the plane was overbooked, we would be the
first to leave. Sure enough, just before closing the hatch, the
flight attendant (they were still called stewardess' back then)
came down the aisle and I was the first uniform she came to so
off I went. At the gate, I was told I would be on the next
available flight leaving in an hour. My original flight out of
Oklahoma City was scheduled to stop in Kansas City, Omaha and
then into Minneapolis. I went to the lounge and enjoyed an adult
beverage or two then reported back to the gate. I was assigned a
seat in first class, served several drinks and a steak dinner.
When we arrived in Minneapolis my original flight was not due in
for another thirty minutes, fortunately the folks that came to
meet me arrived early so we were on the road to my home town
well before the original flight dropped their landing gear. It
was also my only trip ever in first class.
L. H. Marshall SgtMaj, USMC(Ret)
Made Rude Noises
Sgt Grit:
I am constantly entertained by the stories your readers submit
about their Boot Camp experiences. As Navy Corpsman, I have to
admit that Navy Boot Camp was something less rigorous, to say
the least. Those of us who went FMF in 1968 ended up at Field
Medical Service School at Del Mar, Camp Pendleton, where our
training was "upgraded." They gave us a whole four weeks to
transition from basic Squids to Marine Corpsmen, and it was
decidedly more rigorous than anything we had seen previously.
Still, it could not compare to the training that our next door
neighbors at Del Mar were going through. The barracks adjacent
to ours belonged to the toughest of the tough--The Recons.
Their training was infinitely more intense than anything we
would face, and we often made rude noises as they exercised to
the point of sheer exhaustion. It was a goodhearted
relationship, since we knew that ultimately, our lives might
depend on one of them, and theirs ours.
As we neared graduation, the intensity grew and our
understanding of what would be expected of us became more and
more apparent. We were making the transition from Squid to
Marine. "Ooh Rah" became our response to every challenge.
Still, the Recons were driving themselves beyond human endurance
and we were "coasting" in comparison.
One night, the relationship came to a head. It was two o'clock
in the morning. We corpsmen--four companies of us--were sound
asleep in our barracks when the Recons made their move. In what
I remember as one of the most well-coordinated nighttime attacks
ever mounted, the Recons hit all four doors of our barracks with
smoke grenades, launching us out of our racks and into the
night, to be greeted by a platoon of howling Recons.
We ended up laughing along with them, and friendships were
forged.
Thus was our initiation to the special relationship that exists
between Marines and Corpsmen. We fought and bled alongside
them, and never were we happier to know that they had run that
extra mile, did that extra pushup, and believed in themselves
and The Corps.
Doc Thompkins, HMC
RVN 68-69
Camp Lejeune
The Marine Corps needs you help. If you were aboard Camp Lejeune
between 1957-1987 please register with the Marine Corps for
information regarding past water quality.
Register Here
Either Way
I am writing this in order to say thank you to the Marine Corps
and all of the men and women that have served and continue to
serve (past and present).
Sgt. Grit, I read your newsletters every week while sitting at
my desk trying to pretend as though I'm actually working. I just
finished reading your latest 'American Courage" and a co-worker
began making statements about the military service as a
whole.--- Oh, did I mention that I am a former Marine and a
wounded Combat Vet. I served 11yrs active prior to being
discharged due to injury.---
Now, I don't know whether my co-worker (we'll call him: Jerk)
was trying to get a rise out of me or was Jerk sincere in the
way he felt regarding the military and our great nation. Either
way, he got more than I think he expected.
Initially, I tried to calmly explain to Jerk, that the Marines
don't have the luxury of being able to pick and choose which
fight we enter. All we control; is the outcome! Jerk, just like
many of his followers in this country make the mistake of
choosing to remain ignorant to what actually goes on in the
world aside from what they hear on "BS" morning talk radio and
chooses to remain silent when the recruiter asks for volunteers.
Unfortunately, he and many will never know what we have come to
know and cherish...the Esprit de Corps, the Pride and the
Loyalty to something much greater than themselves. I get
overwhelmed with emotion and pride when I read letters from
parents and supporters showing love to those in harms way or the
sad letters from those still in support even after their loved
ones have been called home by the
"Commandant in the Sky".
Well, as you guessed it, Jerk retreated as most Marine Corps
enemies retreat or die; to his hole in the buildings basement
after an hour of tongue lashing given by yours truly. Trust me,
it was my pleasure! I sit here with fond memories of those I
served with. I feel a special connection to each and every
Marine I read about in your Newsletters. For me, it is how I
stay connected to those carry on the tradition of the Marine
Corps. I thank you for all that you and your staff have done and
continue to do to help those like me.
Still Motivated,
CES, Sr. / 0311, 8152, 0121
Sgt. of Marines (disabled Vet) 95-06
VMF/VMA-311 Tomcat Reunion
VMF/VMA-311 Tomcat Reunion (WW2 till present) near Philadelphia
September 10-14 2008 at http://www.innatchestersprings.com.
Contact Jim Galchick jgalchick@neo.rr.com 1290 E. 12th St.
Salem, OH 44460 or
Fred Townsley oldsargfred@gmail.com more info. at
http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/townsley/index.html and
http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/townsley/2008_Reunion_Package.html
Women Marines Association
Women Marines Association celebrating our proud Marine history
and looking forward to our future and searching for our oldest
woman Marine.
25th Biennial Women Marines Association (WMA) Convention &
Professional Development Conference
When: August 28th - September 3rd 2008
Where: Westin Galleria, Houston, Texas
Celebrating 65 years of women in the Marine Corps the Women
Marines Association (WMA) will host the 25th Biennial Women
Marines Association (WMA) Convention & Professional Development
Conference in Houston, TX. It is our hope to locate our oldest
living woman Marine. Presently Miriam Cohen of Arizona holds
that honor after turning 100 this past December.
The convention will start with a special 25th Anniversary
celebration on the eve of the official start. Marines will
gather to remember our past and talk of our future and continue
the bond of camaraderie.
A diverse selection of seminars and speakers will be presented
during the course of the convention. Marines of all eras will
learn of the changing roles of women in the Corps, the Wounded
Warrior Project, personal finance and preparing for deployment
and veteran benefits. Guest speakers will range from MajGen Mary
Ann Krusa-Dossin, retired Capt Vernice Armour, BGen Angela
Salinas and Marines from around the globe. Gen James Conway has
been invited to speak at our closing banquet. Members will
participate in business meetings to further the goals of the
association and conduct business pertinent in running an
organization. A trip to the Houston Space Center is featured
among the sightseeing adventures.
For more information, visit our website.
Apricots
Like Mr. Mike Damigo put it in his post Apricots In Any Form,
Apricots are just bad juju. Even using the Hawaiian Punch soda
is bad because it has apricot juice in it. My experience was
with a new driver and an M1. During an exercise in the early
90?s in 29 Palms, my young driver cut across the tail dust of
another tank, and sucked in their dust. This caused my engine
to die, and it would not relight. It ended up throwing off the
mixture in the combustion, but anyway... We were stuck out in
the desert all afternoon waiting on the retriever when the
driver popped open a Hawaiian Punch and asked if anyone else
wanted one. He pretty much got the punch, and the soda got
thrown away.
So Mike, from a survivor of 3rd Tank Battalion, long before the
Marine Corps had M1A1?s, yes we still believe in apricots and
bad luck. The old 3rd Tanks chow hall (now demolished) at 29
Palms had a poster at the front stating that they proudly served
no apricots or apricot products in their facility. And yes, I
still correct the young Marines who get care packages with the
dried fruit in them, which is what brought this story up
tonight.
Take care and keep the powder dry.
Bark Bark
MSgt Tate
Al Asad Iraq
1811/1812/0699
1986-present
Famous Admirers Of Marines
This is a very good collection of sayings from famous admirers
of Marines from Gen. Mark Clark to Gen George Patton, plus some
great historical quotes. (I didn't know that Black Jack Peshing
was the one who said "The deadliest weapon in the world is a
Marine and his rifle."
All the photos used in the presentation are current
Iraq/Afghanistan stuff. I wish the person who put this together
had put in some WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam photos as well
since he is using historical quotes from those days.
177.5 Mile Run
Good morning,
I was wondering if Sgt Grit can help a few Marines out by
spreading the word about a 177.5 mile run we will endure for the
Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. We are not asking for donations
from your organization only assistance with reaching out to as
many people as we can. If your company is unable to assist we
will understand and try to push this out through different
avenues.
Thanks for your time!
Link to our fundraising site.
Link to blog that outlines what we're doing and why.
Semper Fi!
GySgt Dennis Miranda
4th Marine Corps District Supply Chief
Bldg 54 Suite 3 Box 806
New Cumberland PA 17070
Comm 717-770-8136
DSN 771-8136
Fax 717-770-4831
Marine Barracks, Rota, Spain
Who ..... Rota Marines and the women in their lives
When .... September 26-30, 2008
Where .. Bahia Resort Hotel, San Diego, CA
Reunion planning is well underway. So far we expect 30-40
Marines who served in Rota, Spain between 1963 and 1966 to
attend. Contact Mike Foley at NHWordMan (at) aol.com or Jack Malone
at Jack.Malone (at) microchip.com for detailed information.
Visit Raul Botello?s Rota Marine web site
The More I Remember
MCRDSD does not have or did not have a total handle on duck
walking PI July 49, I remember it well and quacking at all
times, oh the joy of being a grounded duck. How about running
around the platoon at drill screaming I am a s--t bird with 51/2
pounds of M1 over your head or dry shaving with a bucket over
your head or spit shining a pair of the old rough out boon
dockers. Ah yes, those were the good old days to remember. The
more I read your letters the more I remember, How about locker
box drill. It was all for the making of the proud name MARINE,
now and forever. The DIs were professional and must have been
outstanding as I still remember there names,SDI Sgt Garrison,JDI
Cpl Rhoady and Pfc Ryan. Thanks to all for giving me the
privilege of wearing the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.
Dave Erickson
GySgt retired
1949-1969
Short Rounds
Firefighters don?t choose the fires;
Marines don?t choose the wars.
The alarm sounds: we go.
Semper Fi,
R.A. Wulff
Guns, L Co.
Third Marines,
RVN, 68-69
C-1-1 Korea '50-'53
Sept. 10 through Sept. 14, 2008
Crowne Plaza Downtown
St. Louis MO
Contact person:
Al Baiocchi 1399 Ygnacio Valley Rd.. St. 38
Walnut Creek CA. 94598
925 933-1100
E-mail USMCC11(at)sbcglobal.net
Good stuff, "tanks" Sgt. Covrett 26th Marines RVN 1968-69
Marine Detachment, U.S.S. Coral Sea, CVB,
43 { all years } in Quantico, Va. Sept. 30th - Oct. 3rd.
POC Bill Moore, 2309 Olympic Club Terrace,
Palm City, Florida 34990.
772-287-8730 ,
e-mail jarhead49 (at)bellsouth.net
Sgt Grit; I graduated boot camp fall of 57, Platoon 284. They
loaded us on cattle cars and sent us up to Camp Pendleton, the
exhaust smell almost did us in. Upon arriving I was sent to
guard duty and taken way out in the boonies to guard a mess
tent. After a couple hours the wild cats where screaming and
the eye balls where jumping around, I said enough and cranked
off a couple of rounds. Sure got quiet. The Cpl of the guard
asked about the short rounds and I was standing tall before the
Capt the next morning. I believe it was 17 cents per round that
I had to pay, plus a good chewing out. So Sgt Grit you had it
right when you said short rounds, two to be exact! R Olson
57-59 where you from? I attended church in swede town Wausa
Ne. My prayers go out to all the young Marines serving in harms
way!
Semper Fi Cpl A Johnson 57-61
Hey Grit,
I wanted to respond to Cpl Hill?s remarks. The flag the doggies
wear is correct if it is worn on the right shoulder. It look
weird I know. Depending on the shoulder the flag is to appear as
it would in the breeze or you could say the blue field is
forward toward the fight. So the Army isn?t wrong on this one.
Semper Fi!
Howard Cooper
Sgt of Marines 84-97
Commandant Lehigh Valley Det # 296
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
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