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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

Joe Miirowski - June 10, 2020

I spent Christmas on the MSS Hugh Gaffey outside Danang and went ashore on Dec 26, 1966, assigned to 2/1.

Pat Sena - June 10, 2020

I can relate to the Christmas spent in Iwakuni in 1976 as i was there as a Supply Officer for MAG-15 in 1976-77. It was a great tour. Pat Sena, LT, USMC 1973-1977

Ed cruz - June 10, 2020

Hello fellow Marines this seems all too familiar. Spent my first 4 christmases overseas 1st one in the 1st Marine Airwing Camp Butler Okinawa,Japan 2nd one was at an undisclosed area in Korea (OMG it was cold) but we made the the best of it, The 3rd was on the USS Tripoli a helicopter carrier in the middle of the Persian Gulf and my 4th one was back in Okinawa with the FMF PAC. But I would do it all again Knowing I was making a difference. The best part about it is you will never be alone because you are one of the few chosen to serve as a Marine. Semper Fidelis, I will never forget the times I spent with my fellow Marines. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Oorah!

Ken VanHooser - June 10, 2020

Served three years in the Corps from September 68 to July 71. First Christmas was ITR at Camp Pendleton, second was 2nd Anglico, Windward, GITMO, third was FLC Danang Vietnam. Still today I can’t stand the song, I’ll Be Home For Christmas

Raymond parker - June 10, 2020

Bros my story that is like so many others began on the yellow footprints at receiving barracks MCRD San Diago only my platoon 1150’s first day was December 24th so first full 24 hours on active duty was Christmas. Santa took on a whole new ring. On Christmas Eve the Sargent marched us like a herd of cats around the perimeter showed us all the best areas. In first battalion to go over the hill. 20 fools put 50.00 into the the SanDiago PD’s funds. I chose to stay wake up in a cold ugly quanset hut . Best decision I never made. I did what I had committed my self to. I would do over again in a heartbeat. I remember all of those who were in platoon 1150 a company first recruit training battalion San Diago . Christmas was cold an damp we had one of the wettest an cold winters in a long time we all got sick they took us in our latter weeks off the training schedule for three days due to the flu, none of us saw the doc . May God bless an keep all of my brothers near and far as they stand the watch in far away lands at great personal risk to life an limb. The politicals and the civilians hated us for the mission we completed but the brotherhood goes on .Cpl Raymond G.Parker II 1968-1971

1thinredline - June 10, 2020

Semper Fi

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