Sgt Grit's Marine Tattoo Page Volume 29

Moto Tat

Sgt Grit,
Here is my second "moto" tattoo. I've been in the Marine Corps almost 3 years, reenlisting this week, and getting promoted to Sergeant within the next few months. I decided a new tat on my upper right arm was in order. I got it done at Pigment Tattoo in New Orleans, LA. It took two hours and is definitely worth it!

Semper Fidelis,
Stephanie A Gobrecht
Cpl USMC
Marine Forces Reserve Band
New Orleans, LA

I always wanted to get my Marine Corps tattoo.

I served in the Corps from 1973 to 1976. One of my co-workers has several tattoo's and had just completed a back piece, recommended Acme Tattoo in St Paul MN. I had received a Marine Corps collectible box from my mom that had the EGA and the flag on it which was the source of my idea for the tattoo. I brought my design in and talked to Don Nolan, who has been tattooing since 1955. He spent years in Long Beach tattooing Marines and sailors, and was familiar with the old school design style I wanted. I wanted to incorporate "Fideli Certa Merces" in the design along with Semper Fidelis. The EGA on the American Flag background showing my love of Country and Corps, with the 3 stars on one side for my years of service, and the other three for me and my brothers Rick and Joe, who all served our Country and Corps with honor. So after 33 years of waiting I have the Corps tattoo that says it all for me. It was worth the wait! A special thanks to Don Nolan from Acme Tattoo and Michele, my co-worker who recommended his shop to me.

John C. Gavnik
Corporal of Marines
Semper Fidelis!

FINALLY DID IT

Sgt Grit-

My wife said that I shoould finally get it done. It only took me a little over 10 years to do this, but I figure it was worth the wait. It was hard to figure out which to choose so we modified a tat and presto. I think it looks cool as well a different. Semper Fi.

YATYAS
3rd AAV

Tattoo Pic

Hey Sgt. Grit.
Here is my new tattoo if you want to post it. Thanks.
Gary Yewdall Sr, Sgt USMC

Marine Corps Tattoo

Here is a tattoo I recently got......Semper Fi Devil Dogs

SGT LOPEZ, JUAN
J-4 LOGISTICS NCO
JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS

New meaning of meat tag

Greetings Sgt Grit,

My husband and I both served in the US Marine Corps. I got out in 1999 and he got out in 2000. we both decided to wait to get our motto tattoos until this past week.

I got a very traditional tattoo of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor with my years of service on the back of my neck.

My husband got the same EGA, slightly larger and with a little more detail on his ribs and stomach. I thought I would share it with you. The writing above translates to "Family Affair", the 5 dog tags hanging from the EGA have the names and conflicts of his family members who are all MARINES dating back to WWII. His grandfather saw the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima from a ship on his way to battle, his father ~ Viet Nam, his brother, himself and me ~ Gulf War and Gulf War Era.

I just thought I would share this picture with you. I know how much you love a good tattoo or two.

Semper Fi
Domonique Maestas

Military Tattoos

Hey Sgt Grit,

Just a quick note to let you know how much I enjoy reading your newsletters. Love the website and all of the high quality gear!

I served from December 1986 to May of 1999, stationed most of that time at MCAS El Toro. I spent some time with VMFA-314 and then on to VMFAT-101 and eventually, the Bats of VMFA (AW) - 242. I did a couple of West Pac tours with 242 and then on to the East Coast and VR-1 by way of C7 school.

I saw a note about collecting military tatoos for submission to a story the Military Channel is doing, so I wanted to get mine sent on to you.

Semper Fi!

Scott Sanders
Former SSgt of Marines
1986 - 1999

USMC 89-94

My proudest tattoo. Having servered in Desert Storm and Operation Restore Hope, I proudly show my loyalty to my service. Thanks for such a great website.

Semper Fi!
CPL
1st CEB

My Afghanistan Veteran Marine

Sgt Grit,
Thank you for what you do helping marines and their loved ones show their pride and support for our beloved corps!! I have ordered several things from you for my Cpl. Pj Bartel that I love so much. He proudly served and fought for our country during 9/11. I hope maybe some of his old buddies from his 2nd FMFLANT crew read your newsletters because I hear so many funny stories about Metzger and Fenzel, and the rest of his “brothers”. I have attached a couple pictures of his pride filled tattoo in support of the corps. I paid for the initial lettering of USMC for Valentines day 2008, and this year for his birthday I paid for and added the EGA outline. It’s a beautiful tattoo that gets lots of looks, both good and bad, but he wears it proudly!! His plans are to fill in the EGA with the Afghanistan veteran ribbon pattern. Here is a picture of him just after he finished getting his EGA added to his tattoo, and another picture with him and MMA fighter Benji Radach. Had to throw that second picture in there and give a special “thank you” to the MMA groups out there, they are all such a loud and supportive group of people for ALL branches of our military! And like your bumper sticker says, “be safe, sleep with a marine!” I know my marine is the best home security system a girl could ask for!!

Semper Fi Devil Dogs,
Stephanie Owens
Future Wife to a wonderful Marine!

Proud Mother Of a Marine..

My son graduated from San Diego in November of 2006, the proudest moment in my life was in 2005 when my son asked me how I felt about him joining the Marine Corps. I relocated to Texas in that same year to a naval base here. I am an emergency driver for evacuations during hurricanes for military families without vehicles into the Lackland AF base in San Antonio Texas. Being a single parent was tough, I guess not tough enough. Because I not just raised a son, but a Marine who is now based in Quantico Va. His recruiting Officer asked me if I had anymore like him at home, lol. I said no but I have a daughter and who knows.

On the back of my jeep I have two decals " My son is a US Marine" that was given to me when I dropped my son off at his recruiters office to go onto boot camp, and the other bumper sticker that was given to me by my daughter when she went into Pensacola Fla. for her ROTC competition and yes I am a Proud mother of a Marine My daughter and I were at our local Wal-mart shopping, and when we returned to our vehicle there was a note on my windshield which contained these words. Please tell your son we said "Thank You" All these fine young people are in our prayers every day God Bless & Keep Him Safe.

I still have the note it was written on for not only did it bring tears to my eyes, but joy in my heart to know that their are still people in this world that stand behind our troops every day of our lives. A Semper Fi MOM, I always wonder what mom stood for and now I do Mother Of a Marine......... In December 29th, 2007, I had a tattoo done in honor of my son. enclosed is the pic. My son's initials ontop, EGA with 2 rose's side by side, and USMC. I have enjoyed reading and purchasing your awesome shirts and item's, thank you for your continued support and great stories of former Marines.

Tattoos

Sgt Grit: Well it took me ten years after my retirement but I mustered the strength to display a rebellious attitude and get my first Marine tattoo. I found that one was not good enough so I got a second tattoo to balance things out. I am proud of my service and am now proud of the ink that constantly reaffirms that commitment. The first was traditional with an EGA while my second displayed a stronger commitment to insuring the tattoo met the high standards expected of all Marines. I received the first in Yuma while the second came from a thorough review of tattoo artists in Orlando. The reality is that one more is upcoming as a tribute to my fathers service. Semper Fi to all.

Chuck Forrester
Pvt – CWO - Maj
1978 - 1998

Marine Tattoo

Sgt Grit,

Attached is a picture of my USMC tattoo. I sat thru a lot of hours to get this completed.

Well worth it as it shows the dedication to the corps most of us will always have.

Semper Fi,
Scott R, Neff Sr.

My family's story

People are often shocked when they find out that I am a United States Marine. This is partially because my appearance is not that of the stereotypical marine. I am 5'3" tall and probably 120lbs soaking wet with all of my gear. Their shock is often accompanied by curiousity. The question, without fail is "Why the Marines?"

The military dates back in my family to times previous to the revolutionary war. Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force; you name it, we had it. Uncles in the Air Force, father in the Army, brother in the Navy. But the Marine Corps was a rarity. There have only ever been two other Marines in my family. My grandfather, Marlin Caddell, was a sergeant at the time of his discharge. My cousin, Brian Mccormick, was also a sergeant at the time of his death.

Being a United States Marine has been my dream as far back as I can remember. This desire was only strengthened as I stood at the funeral of my grandfather, and then at that of my cousin. Seeing the Marines that participated in those ceremonies, hearing the 21 gun salute, seeing the lone Marine on the hill playing TAPS...I felt honored to be standing on the same ground as those proud men in their dress blues.

Today, I had that same honor as we buried my grandmother. She has battled cancer for roughly a year and a half, and today was finally laid to rest beside her Marine husband. I was in boot camp when I found out that she had cancer. They told her that she didnt have alot of time left. She told the doctors that she wasnt going anywhere until she got to see her newest Marine in her dress blues. She hung on to see me come home in my dress blues, my charlies, and my service alphas. She listened to my stories of boot camp, laughed at my descriptions of the screaming drill instructors, was (in my eyes) appropriately shocked at everything from my descriptions of the ever popular "island hopping" from sand pit to sand pit, to the quickness and precision with which we had to do EVERYTHING. But when story time was done, and she had me sitting on her couch in my blues, the tone always changes. She would hold my hand, and with tears in her eyes, tell me how proud my grandfather would have been of me, and how proud she was of me. She had a deep and strong love for the Corps. So I wore my dress blues for that amazing woman one last time today as we laid her to rest.

So my answer to the age old question "why the Marines?" never takes much time. I can say that I am a Marine because it is a proud legacy, because we take care of our own, because we love our country. All of these are entirely true. However, I don't really know where the dream to be a Marine came from. I just know it was there, and I know that standing in front of that Iwo Jima statue after the crucibal, being called a United States Marine was the proudest moment of my life. And everytime I put on my uniform, talk to a retired M arine and hear their stories, or any number of other things, I feel that same pride. I am a United States Marine.

I have included a picture of my USMC tattoo. The words above the customized Eagle, Globe, and Anchor are Semper Fidelis. And below are the words The Strong Never Die. I got it in memory of my grandfather Sgt Marlin Caddell, and my cousin Sgt Brian Mccormick.

Oorah and Semper Fi!
Lcpl Natasha Perkins
MCAS New River

Moto Tattoo

I got this tattoo of my honey who is currently deployed. We've known each other since the first grade.
He is my best freind and my soulmate. Now he will be with me always. Semper Fi

Devil Dog All Gave Some, Some Gave All Tattoo

Lloyd

Emblem and Cross Tattoo

My son is currently serving in the Marine Corps. When he completed basic at PI in Sept. 2008, he headed home and immediately go this tattoo. I am very proud of him and his commitment to serving his country. With these values, he can do anything.

Semper Fi,
Susan (devildogmomz) Titlow

Stylized Emblem Forearm Tattoo

I waited 20 yrs to get my EGA just couldn't find the right person to put ink to skin am glad I waited it seems so sureal but when I ride my eagle watches ahead of me. I served IN Desert Storm with the 3rd Air Wing,my father god rest his soul was with C co 1st Batt,7th Marines in 67-68,he had the pleasure of meeting GySGT Hathcock,dad took me to met him before he passed,and Granddad was in Navy in WWII,littl bro has been in USAF for almost 13 yrs,and my uncle,GySGT J. Van NESS was killed in a training exercise in Va .god bless those who watch over us and keep us safe from harm.

Tattoos honoring Christopher Scherer

My son Christopher got his first tattoo shortly after becoming a United States Marine. It was the Japanese symbol for warrior. I was 46 years old and Chris was 18 at the time. Chris is the second of my four children. Our whole family was sitting at the table while Chris was home on leave. I stated that I would get a tattoo if Chris and his older brother would get the same tattoo. I was confident that his older brother Tim, who was 20 would never say yes. To my surprise Tim immediately said, "I am in". I knew I was in trouble. Each one of us got a Celtic Cross tattoo, but we each made our own design. The three of us put a life long bond on our arms.

Chris had just turned 21 and had accumulated six tattoos when he was killed in Iraq, serving the country he loved. He was felled by a single bullet from the gun of an enemy sniper on 21 July 2007. We miss him terribly but we do not question his decision to become a United States Marine. On the tough days we choose to celebrate his life rather than mourn his death. Our family and his friends met at our local tattoo parlor on 21 July 2008 and will do so every year to honor the life of Fallen Warrior, Cpl Christopher G. Scherer, USMC. I am so thankful that we were able to share this common bond

Semper Fi
Tim Scherer

Steel Emblem Tattoo

Have video footage of tat being done

Semper Fi
Cesar

POW MIA Tattoo

Submitted by Patrick Adams

Two Marine brothers pay honor to fallen brothers.

Two brothers from charlie co. 1/4 PAY HONOR to there fallen brothers from Viet Nam, Buck Willingham (left) Terry Tillery both served with 1/4 1967-1968. marines forever, brothers forever, never forget our fallen BROTHERS.

Doc Tattoo

Attached is a tattoo for the History Channel. You just might recognize the design.
Doc Thompkins

MWSS 374 Bulldogs Tattoo

This is my ink of Mwss374 I was in motor transport in 1998-2001 I was one of the last Marines to serve MCAS Eltoro CA.

Cpl Mike Wishnok
USMC

USMC Guam Chamorro Tattoo

The Tat was created by Island Tat out of California, I got it for my 40th Birthday,The out line is called a Latte Stone it represents the The Warriors and the ancient People of Guam(Chamorro People) the center of the Latte stone is the Guam Seal and Chamorro is the indiginous language spoken on Guam and of Course at the very top USMC to bring together the Warriors spirits of The Marine Corps and the Chamorro People, this was the first tattoo I ever got and it took me 20 years to finaly get it.

L/CPL Jerry A Herrera. USMC 86-91

Doc Higgins's Tattoos

Sgt,

Attached are pictures of my tattoos. The anchor, HMC(SW/FMF) are of course my rank and quals. The Death cheaters was taken from your t shirt collection and the flag is above a section of the Marine Christmas poem where Santa watches over a Marine on Christmas eve. The corps at the end of it, to me, means both the Hospital Corps and the Marine Corps. The tattoos were done by Michelle at Sandpoint Tattoo and the pictures were taken by Ann Higgins, my wife. Hope you can use them.

Doc Higgins
HMC(SW/FMF) USN Ret
1975-1997

Emblem Tattoo

Former Marine and photo by Wes Munn

Devil Dog with Cigarette Tattoo

Sgt. Grit,

I got this one at Great Southern Tattoo in College Park, MD in 1987 right after boot camp. It’s not the best one I’ve ever seen but I love it. I wish I got an eagle, globe and anchor too. Maybe I still will someday.

Semper Fi!

Joe Healy
Cpl USMC ’87-‘92
6056

GySgt and Emblem under skin Tattoo

I look forward to receiving Sgt Grit news and reading the articles and comments. I came to this country which adopted me with no strings attached and therefore I was very proud to be able to give back something in return by serving in the Corps. It is good to read of the old fashion values sent in by your readers and to know that the young Marines today still hold those values and traditions as a source of strength and pride.

Semper Fi

Montague A. Watkins Sr.
GySgt USMC (Ret)
Field Engineer
ATIF, Inc

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