|
AmericanCourage #214 26 NOV 2009
Print | ONLINE STORE
By way of introducing myself, I served from 1967 thru 1971 with
a tour of Nam with 3/7/1 12/69-12/69 I now work in a small
Emergency Room in the L.A. area. Near our hospital is a Marine
Corps Recruiters Office. A couple of weeks ago I was arriving at
work for the night shift when I heard the unmistakable sound of
Marines or in this case Poolees doing P.T.
While amusing I didn't think too much more about it until about
an hour in to my shift the Paramedics brought in a young Poolee
with a dislocated shoulder. (Just as an aside, when I learned
that he was a Poolee I put on my best Drill Instructor face and
voice and told him to 'GET on your FEET!' wasn't very
professional of me but the Recruiter found it quite amusing.)
To get back to my story this young man had what it takes to be
one of the finest. Even though he was in a great deal of pain he
was polite and showed true 'Warrior Spirit' With young men like
this one and the young Marines I have met over the last few
years I believe our beloved Corps is in excellent hands.
Semper Fidelis, Happy 234th Birthday and Happy Veteran's Day
Dave Coup
Sgt USMC 1967-1971
Funeral services will be held today, 11/16/09 in Union Bridge,
MD for Fallen Hero Sgt. Charles Cartwright, 26 yrs. old, who was
killed in action on 11/07/09 in Afghanistan, while serving with
the 1st MSOB.
Cartwright was on his 5th combat deployment, since
enlisting into the Marine Corps in 2001. He was the recipient of
2 Purple Hearts, as well as, numerous declarations for valor.
He served with my son, Lt. Clayton Anderson, USMC, in Fallujah,
Iraq in 2004. Clay, along with many former 1/5 Marines will
attend the funeral. Charles leaves behind his wife, Marissa, of
11 months, his parents, and one sister. He paid the ultimate
sacrifice and we thank him for his service to his country and
our Marine Corps. Please pray for his wife and family that he
leaves behind. Semper Fi, J. T. Anderson, USMC. '71-'73
Hey Sgt. Grit,
I have seen and heard both sides of this debate. I agree with
the side that believes we must protect America. It is
unfortunate that pacifist think that obviously we are war
mongers. No one hates war more than the warrior who fights it. I
remember all too well my war... Vietnam. Everyone thought we
should not be there either. There were various reasons for why
we should not be there. I mean we had enough problems right
here.
As a Black American, we were told we fighting a brown man for
the white oppressor. The whites were being told they were pawns
of a controlling government and that the war was about money and
can you believe...rice. The bottom line was they were a people
in need. Communism was on the move and this little country did
what countries have been doing for many many years, called on
the United States of America for help.
The War on Terrorism is different from the stand point that THEY
attacked us! If "R" thinks these terrorist and their rhetoric
are a BS lie, tell him to go and talk with any of the victim's
families of 9/11 or better tell him to join the Peace Corps and
go to Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan or any of the countries
struggling to be free and live and work with any of those people
and get a feel for what they don't have...freedom.
See, he's here in the USA talking freely. Tell him to try that
in Saudi Arabia or any of those countries previously mentioned
and see how long he is left standing. I don't remember who the
patriot was that said "People can sleep peacefully in their beds
at night because rough men stand at the ready to do violence on
their behalf." In the case of "R", the reason he can spout off
his line of BS is because there have been rough men and women
who DID do violence on their behalf and are still doing. I am
proud to say I am one of them.
I am one of the Few, the Proud, The UNITED STATES MARINES. I say
to our Legacy, OohRah, I have nothing but Mad Love for you. You
are carrying on something so much greater than yourselves and
you are doing dam well. To the other forces in our military. I
say thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing tall in
our time of emergency. You are the best of America. You are the
new Great Generation.
L/Cpl R.Y. Booker, USMC
1968-1974
I emailed you last week regarding sending Christmas gifts to my
son at his APO address and you responded that shipping is
complimentary. I wanted to thank you for your support and let
you know I have mailed my order, it is the hanging bag, suitcase
and shaving bag to LCpl. Joseph Eichholtz. If you have any
questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
God Bless,
Debbie
And I Quote...
"The circumstances that endanger the safety of nations are
infinite."
--Alexander Hamilton
2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines
Messages from the CO
28 October 2009
Sometime tonight our first main body flight should be departing
Manas Air Force Base in Kyrgyzstan in route to Hawaii. They will
be followed, hopefully in short order, by the remainder of our
main body flights as we return home. We are making every effort
to communicate with our personnel in Kaneohe to provide as up to
the minute information as possible regarding flight manifests
and times. Occasionally higher priority missions result in
reassignments or flight changes, please be assured that we will
make every effort to get that information to Kaneohe for
distribution as quickly as possible.
This is a bit of an odd update I'm afraid. It isn't my intention
to talk about Afghanistan or our mission here, but instead to
address just what incredible men your Marines and Sailors are. I
doubt that I will ever be able to express the extent of the
respect and admiration I have for your loved ones in this
Battalion. I can use words like dedication, courage, honor but
in the end words don't quite cut it. So let me tell you what I
have seen:
I saw a LCpl bring in his buddy's gear following a horrible IED
strike and practically beg to go back out so he could get back
in the fight.
I saw a Marine leaning out over the edge of a roof in the middle
of a firefight, leaving himself in the open purposefully in
order to tempt an enemy RPG shooter to break cover in order to
end him.
I've seen numerous Marines standing a lonely post in the pre-
dawn hours, keeping watch carefully and correctly even though no
one would know if they cut a corner, but doing it right because
they were responsible for their buddies' lives.
I watched a Sailor calmly grab his gear and run out in the open
to a casualty who needed him, he never asked "How bad is he
hurt?" or "How much enemy fire is there?", the only thing he
asked was "Where's the casualty?" then he went. Because Corpsmen
always come when they are needed, always.
I watched 19 and 20 year old men, who a mere few years before
were undoubtedly typical self centered teenagers, earnestly try
to make a young child who has only known poverty and war smile.
I even saw a very imposing Marine in this Battalion who,
frankly, scares the heck out of me, see a little girl off to the
side of a group of kids with nothing in her hands so he very
seriously went around saying "Somebody give me a teddy-bear, who
has a F-ing teddy bear?" until he found one and presented it to
her. The only person there with a bigger smile than the little
girl was the Marine. He then went right back to chewing on his
squad to keep their dispersion and move faster.
I watched FST medical personnel try every desperate measure to
keep a good Marine with us, to the point of opening his chest
and massaging his heart for what seemed like an interminable
time. At the same time I saw a line of Marines and Sailors and
Soldiers forming outside to donate blood, we had enough donors
to transfuse all of Hannibal's elephants but they all wanted to
do something and at that time the only thing they could do was
give some of their blood.
I watched an NCO very patiently sum up all the complex nuances
of counter-insurgency warfare to a young Marine while both were
being pummeled with stones and physically knocking intruders off
our wall from a mob threatening to breach the walls of our
police station; "They want us to shoot them, so then they can
make us all look like bad guys." So we didn't shoot, even though
we had more than sufficient justification, and in the end what
could have been a horrible incident broadcast around the world
actually became a positive as the locals started talking about
the restraint of "their Marines" and became angry with the
rioters for their "un-Islamic" behavior.
I watched a Marine, with excruciating slowness and superhuman
patience, lead an Afghan Policeman through a patrol brief. And I
saw the pride in the ANP officer's face when he lead his patrol
out the entry control point, in his town and in front of his
people, with the Marines trailing along behind in case he needed
some help. I also saw an Afghan Policeman's face when I told him
that the Marines thought highly of him and had told me that
"Spider" (his nickname) was a good guy to have alongside you in
a fight. He sputtered a little bit then said something short and
stared at me very intensely, the linguist told me "He says he is
just so very proud that the US Marines think that". Once Spider
was sure that I understood that he meant it, he strutted away
like he had just won the world's highest honor. And perhaps he
had.
I know that for the rest of my life I will cherish this period
in which I had the honor to spend my days among such incredible
men. And I know that it has been your sacrifices that have made
it possible. I thank you for allowing me this time with your
loved ones.
We are coming home.
And I Quote...
"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers."
--Jose Narosky
On October 27, 2009 Capt. Kyle VanDeGiesen was killed in a
helicopter crash in Afghanistan.
November 4, 2009 I was honored to sit in traffic and reflect as
the Patriot Guard escorted the Capitan to his final duty station
at the National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.
On 10 November 2009 Capt. VanDeGiesen's wife gave birth to a
son.
Please keep Capt. VanDeGiesen's family in your prayers
Semper Fi
My father gave me this picture, I'm so proud to say he served
this country proudly as a US Marine, I thank God every day that
he came back from Vietnam so many men gave their lives, and paid
the ultimate price. My father Staff Sergeant James H. Temple of
Warren, AR is still living, and loves being a Marine I just
thought you would like to publish this picture thank you for
everything you do for the men and women that serve our Country
I'm studying to be an Assembly of God Minister and I pray for
our men and women of the armed daily.
Sincerely
James D. Temple
GOD BLESS
I have read the "Old Corps" vs. "New Corps" letters with great
interest and related a lot of them to my father. My father was a
Marine aviator in WWII. He was at Guadalcanal, Bougainville,
Vela La Vela and quite a few of the rather heated places in the
1942-1943 timeframe in the Pacific. He spent the rest of the War
stateside, helping to train Naval Aviators the "Glide Bombing"
technique that the Marine Aviators developed. Bet you won't get
many Naval Aviators admitting to that!
Anyway, he's still with us and I have spent a lot of time
listening to his reminiscences about the "Old Corps". It's kind
of funny, that when he joined up in 1942, he was immediately a
member of the "New Corps". He told me at that time the most
prestigious appellation that could be given to a Marine in early
1942 was that he was a "China Marine". He was lucky in that his
DI was one of those mystical "China Marines", and that added a
cachet to his class and actually followed him to Pensacola and
flight training. I imagine that the term "China Marine" is lost
on today's "New Corps". Many friends of mine were Viet Nam era
Marines (I was a Viet Nam era Army Officer) so I guess they are
all "Old Corps" - so what does that make my Dad - "Old -Old
Corps"? And those wonderful "China Marines", if any are left on
this orb, must be next to sainthood.
Anyway the purpose of my little tongue and cheek note is that
Marines are Marines, regardless of when they served. "New Corps"
Marines are no different that the "Old Corps" Marines. They are
just separated by time and technology. They are still men and
women, who desire to be the best, and are willing to go in
harm's way to defend our nation. When the Corps celebrates its
334th Anniversary, and we're all long gone to our great reward,
I'll bet those Marines of 2109 will look back at the Marines of
2089 as the "Old Corps". Imagine the technology that we will
have then. And no doubt, if there is United States and I
fervently believe there will be, there will be a United States
Marine Corps.
An yes, one of the greatest regrets of my life is that I took
the Army ROTC route and did not join the PLC program after
college. Young and foolish I guess.
Mike Sticksel
And I Quote...
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your
government when it deserves it."
--American author Mark Twain (1835-1910)
Subject: Member has unsubscribed.
The following member has unsubscribed XXXXX from all lists.
They were logged on the Removal List for all lists.
Date: 11/11/2009
Reason: A member of my family has disgraced the Corps and I do
not deserve to be included.
I am very sorry.
this is my fiance and long time friend cpl. miles . we're at the
Marine ball in san diego on November 9,2009. just wanted to show
him off.
OORAH MARINES
Laura
Note:
Marines in Blues just have something special. Get some!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
In Reply to "Member has unsubscribed' Reason: My Marine just
completed his mission here on Earth.
Please don't, your Marine has just changed permanent stations.
My son has been on station for six years. He's fulfilling his
obligations and his promises to the Marine Corps. Your Marine
would not want you to ever forget that he chose to become a
Marine and put his life on the line for our country. He paid
the ultimate price. He should not be given a number and put on
a shelf and call it a life. Marines live on, some in memory of
family and other Marines but your Marine will never be forgotten
unless you allow him to be. When he became a Marine, he became
my brother. I will never forget my bother even if he has
completed his mission on earth. He is still my brother!
Marine / Brother of a Marine / Father of a Marine
And I Quote...
"If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the
people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must
become happy."
--Thomas Jefferson
20+ years ago, I was a beat cop on the night shift. A local
watering hole had ejected a nasty drunk and he wouldn't take the
hint that he was no longer welcome in the business. They called
us and my back-up arrived about the same time as I which was
shortly after that of our sgt. The drunk wouldn't tell us who
we could call to take him home; he was too busy blabbering about
how down and out he felt and how rotten things were.
"Poor me, I was in VietNam, whine etc." The sgt said he wasn't
buying that, "I was in 'Nam too." Hooray, the drunk has found a
buddy! and immediately wanted to know where the sgt was, all
about his unit etc. "I was a sgt in the Marines" said the sgt.
"Oh, a F*****g jarhead!" the drunk responded and his tone of
voice clearly indicated this was NOT meant as any sort of a
compliment. My buddy and I exchanged glances and lifted the
drunk off his feet and dragged him to jail. (It was conveniently
located only about a block away.) Mandatory court, guilty, pay
the clerk and get out, dumb@ss.
Letterman's Top Ten list (video)
Outstanding young Marines.
#1 is the BEST!
Happy Thanksgiving!
We all have much to be thankful.
We tend to forget "We are still at war".
We all need to take a moment and be thankful for the brave young
warriors who continue the good fight.
We still have Americans risking and giving their lives for
America.
We should all be grateful there are still young Americans
willing to make such sacrifices. Many are not willing.
May God Bless them all.
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
"Always, Former, Ex or Once Marines"
Dear Sgt. Grit,
I have read the recent letters discussing how to refer to those
who served in our beloved Corps and there seems to be those who
would label all as simply Marines, as in, "Once a Marine, always
a Marine". I have no problem with this thinking as long as
we're referring to those who served honorably and faithfully as
a regular Marine or a Marine Corps Reservist, no matter the
length of service, and still present themselves as Semper
Fidelis to all that being called Marine entails. I have no
heartburn over the phrase "Former Marine" as long as MARINE is
the operative word.
I believe all would agree that any who served in the Marine
Corps and received a Dishonorable or Bad Conduct Discharge or
were separated Under Conditions Other Than Honorable deserve the
label "Ex-Marine". They have forfeited the right to being
included in the "Once a Marine, always a Marine" brotherhood..
They don't even merit the title of "Former Marine".
In my opinion, there is another group of Marines who need to be
placed in a category as other than "Once a Marine, always a
Marine". This is a category which I would label as "They were
Marines ONCE!". These are types who have forgotten or perhaps
never really learned the intrinsic values drummed into us in the
early stages of our training and fortified through our service
in combat or otherwise. There is a United States Congressman who
claims a stellar Marine Corps combat record as an officer in the
Vietnam War, yet has seen fit to make extremely critical remarks
concerning the dedicated, selfless actions of Marines in the war
in Iraq, all to support his political party's opposition to that
war. THIS individual I classify as having been a Marine ONCE.
Everett Tunget
LtCol USMC (Ret)
And I Quote...
"Human Felicity is produced not so much by great Pieces of good
Fortune that seldom happen, as by little Advantages that occur
every Day."
--Benjamin Franklin
Phony-Wannabee Caught And the Dumb-Azs
Sgt Grit,
You are not a D-A, as soon as I saw the article I emailed you
with suspicions as well as other Marines. This is a good thing
we who have been there can spot an imposter a mile away because
of our instinct, we know.
Those of us who subscribe will be your watch dog forever in the
future rest assured that those who impersonate will be exposed.
Keep up your great MOTO for Marines, I know I am one of your
best fans.
Semper Fi
"Freedom is not Free, but you can bet your Azs the Marine Corps
is paying your part of the bill"
Retired MGySgt Ski
0699
David Szablewski
I forwarded Jim Grimes post to my husband, as I can tell you he
still does most of the items on the list. He did mention there
was one item forgotten.
NEVER EVER carry anything in your right hand.
My husband has been a civilian for 7 years and he still carries
things in his left hand only.
Heidi, wife of a Marine
I Think, Therefore I Win
While the enemy sleeps,
I lay awake
While he licks his wounds,
I taste his scars
As he waits for me to strike,
I define my attack
I will out think my enemy,
Therefore I will win
--Jim Woods, "I think, Therefore I Win"
Dear Sgt Grit
This newsletter was a great read for me. I'm 17 and ready to
swear in around next year some time. But what I just read makes
me want to go pt myself for a couple of hours. I might not be a
Marine yet but I might as well be one already because once my
feet hit Parris Island the DI better watch out cause this man is
not stopping now or ever.
Thank you again for the motivation.
Semper Fi.
Randall A. Bowers
Note:
Shaping the minds of America! One new Marine at a time. Your
stories do make a difference.
Also, "the DI better watch out"; this could get ugly.
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
Sgt Grit:
I work for Travelers Property Casualty Company of America in
Hartford, CT handling product liability claims. The head of our
20 person unit is a Vietnam era vet and we have several Army
vets as well. I decided that it would be a great idea to
collect donations from the folks in our unit and buy the local
Hartford Marine recruiters some Dunkin' Donuts gift cards as a
birthday present.
The recruiters are working hard and doing a great job in a very
difficult time. I emailed everyone in our unit and told them
what I was doing and why and asked for $1,00, $$2.00 or $5.00 or
anything towards the gift cards. We have many hardcore
Democrats and several conservative types working together. I
think most were Bush haters and against both wars. However,
while not everyone contributed, most did and I ended up buying
$70 of gift cards.
On November 10th, I walked to the recruiting office with one of
the women I work with. When we entered I immediately told them
that I served in the Corps in 1979 to 1983 and several others in
out unit were veterans and our unit, vets and non-veterans, had
a collection so we could give them this birthday present of D&D
gift cards. Well, they were pretty shocked at first but
recovered quickly and we exchanged Semper Fi's and some stories.
We told them that we appreciated the difficult and often
thankless job they're doing and just wanted to make sure they
knew it. They excitedly told us that they "live" on Dunkin'
Donuts (coffee if presume because they were in rather good shape
and showed no sign of a donut addiction!). I felt good, the
woman I walked with felt good, the recruiters felt good and the
rest of the people in the unit felt good... and that's... well,
GOOD!
Cheers and Semper Fi!
Cris Yarborough
New Britain, CT, USA
Sgt, USMC: 1979-1983
Sgt,
Hey Devil I noticed you did not have the Book "The Gift of
Valor". I served with Jason at Marine Security Forces Kings Bay
and I believe, with the new Marines today in combat, this should be on your list of reads. There are many lessons that can be understood by the younger Marines in it. Also I have included a photo of my girl and I because well I am just plain proud of her. As I am a veteran and not Active we were guests of LtCol. Harrison and 2/14. Had one h&ll of a time.
Sgt Kurtz
USMC 0311
And I Quote...
"Guard against impostures of pretended patriotism"
--Gen. George Washington
Was taking an order from a nice lady customer and she ordered
dog tags, one set for a man and one set for a woman.
We finished the first one, which was for the man. And then for
the second one. We did the last name and then the 1st name, and
then she was kind of stumped on what else to put on the rest of
the lines.
So I simply told her that they usually put the blood type and
the gas mask size and then their religion.
But I then told her you could put whatever you want on it. Then
she said, "let's put the gas mask size" and I said okay, and
what size is that, and she said 34D...... and I paused and said
excuse me, wondering if I heard her correctly... and laughing
to myself, because to me that was not a gas mask size, and then
I had to say without trying to giggle, Ma'am I am sorry but that
is not a gas mask size.
Then she realize what she said and said, OMG, that is a bra size
isn't it...then we both started to laugh, and she said, you know
What, I should have you put that on there for her. Cause I know
she was joking with me and I didn't realize what she said when I
ask her the size, and that is not a gas mask size. We finally
finish the dog tags, and ended the order, and no we did not put
that for the mask size.. However, we both had a good laugh and I
love taking orders like that.
Thank You
Rachil Martinez
Sgt Grit Return Department
Marine Corps Birthday Luncheon
Hosted by the US Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Oklahoma
Kristi Fomin, Sgt Grit Marketing Director, attended with her
husband Sgt Scott Fomin.
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
Hi Sgt,
I thought this might interest you..
I work for Shop Rite in Ewing, NJ.. On Tuesday, Nov 10th, yes
USMC birthday, I made an announcement over the PA system
reminding everyone to Thank A Vet with tomorrow, Nov. 11th,
being Veterans Day. On Thursday, Nov. 12th, I returned to
work, to be called upstairs to Managers office.. Needless to say
I received a written warning for Improper Use of PA system.
The person that did the write up, used the comment, She only
did it cuz he son is a F***k'n Marine..
Yes, my son is a Marine, & I am D*MN Proud of that fact. My son
did 2 tours in Iraq. My husband is also a former Marine, who
did his service during Desert Storm. I have a daughter in law
serving with the US Navy, & a nephew serving with the US Army.
Now, the store personnel announce birthdays over the PA system,
which I might add does not fall under Store Business. But they
do not receive warnings or write -ups of any kind. How is
reminding people to Thank a service person for doing what they
have no opted to do wrong?? The store has a big poster in front
window stating, ""Honoring all that serve"" ! How is that
honoring them when you cannot remind people for their Special
day???
Thank you for letting me vent on this.. I am proud & grateful
to ALL Military Service personnel active or not, THANK YOU
all for your service....
Catherine Woiewcki-Riddle
Mom, wife, aunt & mother-in-law
"Cause when push comes to shove / You taste what you're made of
You might bend 'til you break / Cause it's all you can take On
your knees you look up / Decide you've had enough You get mad,
you get strong / Wipe your hands, shake it off Then you stand,
then you stand"
--"Stand" by Rascal Flatts
Although I am a retired sailor, I am proud of my association
with Marine friends and family members. My oldest Daughter's
husband spent six years in the Marines, including a tour to
Iraq. I am also a volunteer with the local Toys for Tots
campaign through the Marine Corps League, and I have joined the
League as an associate member.
I attended Navy Recruit Training in San Diego. While my recruit
company was in its first phase of training and living on Camp
Nimitz, next to MCRD, a recruit from our sister company decided
to go U/A. I was standing the 0400-0800 Firewatch for my
company, and I was standing at the door to the breezeway talking
to the Firewatch from the other company. While talking, we saw
some movement in the bushes near the back of our barracks. The
sun was just starting to rise so the shadows were still playing
tricks, so I started to walk over to get a better look. As I got
closer, a recruit broke cover, crossed the road, and climbed
over the fence, into the MCRD field at the end of the runway of
Lindburgh Field.
I called to him, and told him to come back, but he kept running.
At about this time, a training platoon of Marines out for their
morning run happened by. Their D.I., hearing my call's,
evidently observed the sailor making a break for it. The Marine
formation changed course, swooped up the running sailor, then
continued on their way. I returned to the barracks and called
the OOD and reported what had happened. The First Class that was
standing OOD just smiled and told me to make sure I logged it,
and not to worry about it.
We didn't hear anything else about the incident until two weeks
later when the sailor was returned to his company, still wearing
the same clothes he was wearing when he went U/A. It turned out
that the Marine unit kept the sailor, and treated him like one
of their own problem cases for that two weeks, except he had to
wear the same clothes the entire time.
In regards to the note from J.R.Morris...1051995 about people
who served in the Marine Reserves not being real Marines.
Several years ago I was moved to a new group and was told that
one of the guys in it was in the Marine Corps. He is a
quadriplegic, not caused by military service, and a great
person. When I approached him and asked about his Marine Corps
service his reply was "I was only in the reserves". I told him
that my husband was in the Marines and according to him all
Marines are Marines. He beamed. Since then my son, who is in the
Marines, has sent me some Marine Corps emblems to give to my co-
worker and a flag set. Every Nov 10 I send him an email "Happy
Birthday Marine". I never let this man say "I was only in the
reserves" again.
Linda (LindaRY)
And I Quote...
"Americans are so enamored of equality, they would rather be
equal in slavery than unequal in freedom"
--Alexis de Tocqueville
Sgt. Grit- Anyone interested in reading a good book about what
the Marines have gone through in Afghanistan should read
"Victory Point" by Ed Darack. My son, Phillip, was a member of
2/3 in Afghanistan in August 2005 and participated in an
operation called Operation Whalers. As a squad leader in the
mortar section of Fox 1 he was in the thick of one of the
biggest battles in Afghanistan up to that time. The book is a
terrific read and it shows that the Marines of today are as
tough, as dedicated and as motivated as any Marine ever was.
Jeff Simonsen
father of two U.S. Marines
Dear Sgt. Grit,
Very much enjoy the great quotes you include in the News Letter
and thought I'd forward this one to you... It is among my
favorites and, what with that whole smear campaign which the
media directed toward those of us who served in the Nam, one
that's gotten me through some major periods of depression... The
author is unknown.
Situated here in town and in front of Hicksville's Junior High,
Long Island, NY, a Memorial dedicated to all who served in the
Vietnam War is the "Tribute, Etched Upon Stone", that reads:
"Undefeated on the Battlefield:
Loyal and Patiend in Peacetime Tribulation"
Semper Fi',
(Cpl) Mike Regan
Infantryman
Hotel Company, 2/3
Vietnam's DMZ, '68/'69
PS "Thank You" for a great News Letter
Hey, Sgt. Grit!
Happy Marine Corps Birthday! Semper Fi! As a Marine Mom, I can
say that, right?
I think it is only fitting that John Allen Muhammed be executed
on the birthday of the Corps. Poetic justice, don't you think?
Tomorrow is Veterans' Day. Happy Veterans' Day to vets, past
and present. God bless you for your service and sacrifice. My
son Daniel served 50 months in the Corps. He did 3 deployments
to Iraq and was promoted to Sgt. right before he got out.
He got a call to see if he was interested in going to
Afghanistan. He's not. He has seen so much death. As his
mother, I don't want him in harm's way again. He has physical
problems resulting from his 3 tours. Daniel served as
pallbearer on 2 separate occasions for his twin nieces after his
second deployment. He was in Iraq on his 3rd. tour when my dad
(his only living grandfather) died. He was able to be with us
the week we waited for the Lord to take my mother (his only
living grandma) Home. He served as Grandma French's pallbearer.
Do you have any idea why he is my hero?
To all Marines, worldwide, God bless you very very much. Only
He knows all you've been through and only He can see you through
the pain of the memories. I love you all and count myself
blessed to live in this country protected by Marines, past and
present. Celebrate today for the Marine Corps birthday and
tomorrow for Veterans' Day knowing this Marine Mom thanks God
for you every day.
Debbi in Martinsburg, WV
And I Quote...
"History affords us many instances of the ruin of states, by the
prosecution of measures ill suited to the temper and genius of
their people. The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the
nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly
the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of
protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every
part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy."
--Benjamin Franklin
To Marines and Friends on Our 234 Birthday,
The measurement time of Earth began with "God" creating Heaven
and Earth and that was millions of years ago
Not much is known before History was recorded way back when,
One thing we've known since then; many a civilizations have come
and gone in all those years
Those that lasted longest had elite warriors to preserve its way
of life
Centuries and centuries ago there was the Roman Legions, the
Greek Armies, Napoleon's Troops, Russian Cossacks, Mongol
hordes, all protected and preserved or forced a way of life
There is the Scottish Night Watch, the British Commandos, the
Gurkhas, the Turks, the Rock Marines all renowned warriors in
the last 400 years or so
Since November tenth 1775 US Marines have been in the
measurement of Earth's time
Now that's been 234 years and that's not long in the measurement
of time, but we are already renowned as the Nation's finest and
one of the world's best, if not the best
To think a Man's life is but a speck in the measurement of this
time and to give a portion of it to defend the best Democracy
the world has ever known, is a sacrifice only a small portion of
that society really understands
If you have spent any portion of your speck in time wearing the
Eagle, Anchor, and Globe honorably; you have been and always
will be one of the few and the proud, a US Marine who
understands that sacrifice
And what is this Corps of Marines whose motto is Semper Fi?
Ah! From the Commandant to the last Private leaving the drill
field on graduation day
We are Marines now and forever
For when you sign up you do not become a Marine !!! { Asked Dan
Rather}
Until you walked off that drill field on graduation day and then
and only then do you become a Marine forever and then only
dishonor will cause you to lose that honor
Ones time in serving could be 2 years, 4 years, 10, years, 20
years or 30 plus, but we all endured the discipline, honor,
courage and commitment it took to carry the name Marine
Many a person who have gain success and notoriety after leaving
our beloved Corps, have said time and again, " My time as a
Marine is what set me apart "
Why is this so?
Every Marine knows he is the organization, for we make it what
it is and what it stands for
There can never be failure, for it's a word a Marine could never
understand and the mission is on every Marines shoulders
I don't believe other branches of the Service ever gets this
reasoning across to their multitudes
Oh! they all have their elite outfits, but there set apart
Every Marine knows that all has to work for the machine to be
oiled and each is responsible for his share of the load
Time crosses over for an active Marine and one of the past
You can start a conversation as if he is a brother no matter the
time that has past ,
For your body's blood runs true with Marine Corps green
Yes, we are a breed set apart and no one can fully understand
us, as we do ourselves
We all served but a speck in our History but we all made the
Corps what it is. " The Finest Fighting Breed of Men the World
has ever known " the Few and the Proud, the US Marines
We will go to our graves, knowing we stood up and apart to
defend and preserve our way of life
Not worrying what others thought or did, for the mission was our
way of life
We had vowed to protect and defend our country from all enemies
foreign and domestic and we will until we're called to guard the
streets of heaven as only our hymn calls out
Stand proud, for less than 1% in a land of three million people
can be called a Marine
Happy Birthday Marines
Ed Emanuel
USMC (Ret)
1956 - 1985
Veterans & Volunteers Actively Creating History's Largest MIA
Recovery Effort
http://www.mooresmarauders.org/
Kristy:
Thought I should pass along a few pictures from our Veterans Day
( Saturday the 7th ) visit to our local ( Danville, IL ) VA
Hospital. We ( Leathernecks MC Blacksheep Chapter ) make
quarterly visits..Next visit is in Feb..
Note the TABLE full of Marine Gear ( thanks to Sgt Grit ) that
flew off the table.. Thanks EVER so much..
I am including pictures of the 5 ( yes count em 5 ) 32'' Flat
Screen TV's that the club presented with the help of a TON of
charities & members, including "Free Throws for Heroes"..
based out to the Chicagoland area..
Once again A BIG Thank-You & the Sgt. Grit staff for helping our
Hero Veterans in need! Semper Fi & HAPPY BIRTHDAY tomorrow!
Semper Fi
Todd "fingers" Fingerle
Black Sheep Chapter
Eastern Illinois Leathernecks MC LMCI
And I Quote...
"It is the manners and spirit of a people which preserve a
republic in vigor. A degeneracy in these is a canker which soon
eats to the heart of its laws and constitution. "
--Thomas Jefferson 1781
Sgt Grit
reference the newsletter (11/18/2009) , the newspaper article
about the fake Marine
Personally I feel if he was in uniform numerous times and at
different ranks at that (nco vs. o) and photographed numerous
times wearing the uniforms and at special functions, then his
actions speak as loud if not louder than words, that he was
trying to defraud and impersonate.
In a way I feel sorry for his cry of help, he went about it the
wrong way. But he should be prosecuted. But in lieu of jail
time, he should be ordered to do a year of community service or
such, serving wounded Veterans, at a nearby Veteran s Affairs
home or something similar, And of course write a public apology
to all service members, especially We Marines. And donate all
his authentic uniforms to a nearby base and have them
distributed to Marines, that are in need of replacement
uniforms.
It goes with the old adage, "impersonation is the sincerest form
of flattery" You can dress like us, you can wear Marine
paraphernalia and pretend to be one of us. But if you did NOT
earn that Eagle Globe and Anchor by going through our recruit
training, you sure as H&ll are NOT one of us!
We can and do weed out the phonies!
Semper Fi
choo choo
Sgt of Marines (nla)
1968 - 1974
RVN 70-71
And I do have the boot camp picture, the DD214 and official
service records to confirm I am a Marine!!
Grit,
In the latest newsletter, there's a story about a Marine and two
of his old Docs. He mentioned the issue with Agent Orange.
You know, there are a lot of guys and gals who have paid in
pain, frustration and weakening bodies cuz of that stuff. Crazy
as it may sound, I have a friend (retired Navy nurse) who was in
SE Asia and contracted the same thing. Within the last year, he
was declared free and clear from all AO contamination in his
body. The only clinic I am familiar with is the one he visited.
It's called the Manna Institute in Columbus, OH. The method
used to ID it is called "electrodermal screening". Perhaps
these Vets can find a practitioner in their local area and get a
crack at better quality of life.
This is not a promise that everyone will be AO free. I wish I
could do that. Not my personal healing power. But there is no
reason why they shouldn't have a choice to attempt to get well.
My friend is a good example that it CAN happen. Screw
conventional thinking. Let's help those who gave their blood
and sweat in our stead.
I hope this helps somebody.
SEMPER FI!
Sam Boyer
HM2 SW
1985-1995
It's a great cause...Get some
Toys For Tots today...we'll handle the logistics.
God Bless America!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
|
