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Home for Christmas
December 24, 2016 Grunt.com Admin

Home for Christmas

By: Joe Wasowicz

My 19th Christmas was spent as a U.S. Marine in Iwakuni Japan. This was the first year I did not have the privilege of spending the holiday with my beloved family and friends. I knew that my purpose during this Christmas was to be on the ready for my country as many had done before me. I was a young, proud Marine and very honored to be serving my country as a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps.

This however did not make the Christmas Day phone call to home in the middle of the night (local Japan time) any easier. My father answered my call and being an Army veteran gave me the encouragement and support that I really needed at the time. Then the conversation with my mother – one that will never be forgotten happened. My mom passed away a few years ago and that makes the Christmas conversation from 1976 an even more memorable event in my life. I will spare the readers of this post with not listing any of the sappy details of my conversation with my mother. But I will say that the conversation took place away from my fellow Marines (who were probably conducting similar calls on other phones in our Communication Center). I am sure that the other conversations did happen because quite a few of us were a little crackly voiced and had something in our eyes for a few hours during our shift that night. This is my thank you to my fellow Marines who will be doing (as I did in 1976) this Christmas Day. What you will be doing this Christmas is truly appreciated by myself and my fellow Marines who have had similar phone conversations on December 25th. Semper Fi and Merry Christmas. Corporal Joseph Wasowicz, USMC, 1975 -1978.

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Comments

Frank Frebe - June 10, 2020

Wow, I arrived at Perris Island oct. 21 1954 assigned to the second batt. Wooden barracks that are long gone. Went back about ten years ago, a lot had changed. Cannot remember my platoon number. Your the first marine I’ve run across from those dates. After two years I rein listed for three more years. Had a great time, Kaneohe Hawaii

LCpl Richard “Jenks” Jenkins - June 10, 2020

I spent my first Christmas 1959 at Camp Pendleton the next two in K Bay and my last at China Lake , especially liked the two at K Bay . But loved them all and would do it again in a heartbeat. Semper Fi to all my Brothers on this Christmas day.

Fred Unsworth - June 10, 2020

We were in Iwakuni at about the same time. I was with MATCU 62. I left just before Christmas 1976. I did get to celebrate July 4th, 1976 in sunny Po’Hang Korea (but I started in March). While I was over their my twin sons learned to walk, talk, and get into things. I think we all have our memories, both good and bad, but I miss the esprit de corps. One of my twin sons is my brother through the Corps. The other twin is as well, as I also wore Navy blues. Merry Christmas, Chesty, where ever you are!

Mom of a Marine - June 10, 2020

Waiting for a call from my 19 year old Lance Corporal son as a write this. First deployment, and Christmas away for all of us. Might skype, but then he would see me crying. 🙂 Semper Fi, and Merry Christmas to all.

James Kerins - June 10, 2020

Raymond Parker who were you drill instructors you said you remember all those in 1150? What Company where you in ? What Battalion? A Sergeant marched you around on the 1st evening and showed you the best spots? The best spots for what? What did you know about close order drill on the 1st night of MCRD? Where did 50 recruits get 50 dollars from for a Police fund? This is 1968 correct?

Ron Perkins Sergeant 1965-1974 - June 10, 2020

I was with MWCS-18 for Christmas 1972 at Iwakuni. I was a Sergeant and my guys went out drunk and ‘topped’ one of the trees by the streets locally so we had a tree. Scared me to death as I expected Japanese Police to bust us at any moment. They didn’t, though and we had a lot of fun!

David E. Tyre………….Sgt……’54-’57 - June 10, 2020

Old Salt: Spent Christmas at P.I, 1954. Got there Oct. 22, ’54, out posted Jan. 18, 1955. Platoon 437, 1st. BN. Like you, can’t remember all the details, but didn’t we have “fun!”.

A Marine MoM - June 10, 2020

Got that Christmas call this morning from my 19 year old LCPL son on his first deployment. Hardest thing I’ve ever been through…being so proud and yet so heart-broken at the same time. Nobody understands unless they’ve experienced it. Thank you all for your service and God Bless. Merry Christmas.

David Wasson - June 10, 2020

My first Christmas was serving in the First Marine Brigade in KBay. Lovely Hawaiian Xmas. But would trade those day for anything. Semper Fi to all who have served and to those away from home this year. God Bless and oohrah

Dick Watson, Cpl. ’51-’55 - June 10, 2020

My first day in boot camp, Dec. 19. 1951, my first Christmas day in the Corps, hell I’m too old to remember it, but I do know it must have been fun ;-), I do remember one two years later, RnR in Japan under a Christmas tree, it beat the hell out of staying in Korea for the festivities…..

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