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AmericanCourage #203 25 JUN 2009
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I live in Orange County, CA, so visiting Disneyland is part of
the local scene. This past year, I bought annual passes to the
"Happiest Place on Earth" especially for my two little girls and
enjoyed the park practically every weekend for the last 52
weeks. This past weekend was our last week before the annual
pass expired, so we made it a point to visit and experience the
little shops and attractions that we normally do not enjoy. We
were making our way out of the park through Main street USA
right around sunset time, when the local public announcement
system stated that they will have a flag lowering ceremony at
main square under the flag pole. Having never viewed this
before, we decided to take a few moments to observe this "show".
(Story continues below...)
In the beginning, we got the usual that we expected out of
Disney production, a small marching band, in their bright drum
corps uniform and tall nutcracker-ish feathered hat, marching in
from the Sleeping Beauty's Castle down Main Street. They played
the usual patriotic themes...Yankee Doodle, Battle Hymn of the
Republic, etc. But all of a sudden, something happened that
changed everything. The Disneyland Color guard came in. They
were dressed in their regular Disneyland security guard uniform:
white button up shirt, red tie, navy trousers with blood
stripes, white police-style octagon cap.
However, what set them apart was their demeanor, their tight
movement, the sharpness of the crease in their uniform...and the
Marine Corps tie pin. It was obvious that this Color guard took
their job VERY seriously. First they invited all current and
former military veterans to join them at the rotunda right under
the flag pole. While the band played all the service songs
(beginning with the oldest and the most well recognized one of
them all, the Marine Corps Hymn), the Color Sergeant gave a
crisp salute to us, and thanked us for our service. He was
barking out orders and making facing movements that would have
made the 8th & I platoons take notice. He then lowered the
colors slowly and deliberately, better than what I have seen in
my days at MCRD. The three men team folded both the national
ensign and the CA flag in a perfect triangle shape, all the
while making sharp and tight facing movements, and then they
marched off as the band music played on.
My two small girls, 7 and 4, were enthralled by the pomp and
circumstance. They were also very proud and excited that their
daddy was a small part of the ceremony. My wife could not stop
talking about it later when we met up with our relatives. I
struck up a conversation with a gunner who was standing next to
me during the ceremony. My 7 year old asked me how I knew him.
My 4 year old commented how he was wearing the same ring as I
do. But more than the pride I felt that day personally, I
really want to give a heartfelt "OOHRAH" to the Color guard.
Marines serve, and then eventually they move on. However, even
in the "Happiest Place on Earth" they make their presence felt.
Philip Lee
Corporal of Marines
1997-2001
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Sgt. Grit,
I have just returned from the reunion of the Vietnam era USMC
9th Engineer Battalion Association in New Orleans. It was great
to renew old friendships and to make new ones. We hit about
everything you can in four days in the French Quarter. We had a
picnic lunch at the local naval reserve base that was great. Not
sure I want to but I now know how to eat crawfish! We were
taught cooking at the New Orleans School of Cooking. The teacher
was former Navy but had relatives and friends in the Corps, so
he kept us fairly well entertained. We even learned a little
history of New Orleans and the Louisiana Purchase. Anyone want
Bananas Foster?
Thanks again for the donated gifts. I ended up with a 9th
Engineer's patch to go with the rest of my Marine stuff, most
from Sgt Grit Marine Specialties.
Since I was staying a day longer than most of the rest, I put
off visiting the World War II/D-Day Museum until after the
others had left. Our young docent, probably not a veteran, did a
commendable job until he got to the Iwo Jima display and while a
video was showing it, announced something about the "soldiers"
raising the flag. I couldn't let that pass and told him it was
Marines who raised the flag. I know a Corpsman help too but he
was part of the Corps then. Another younger than I Marine in the
group supported me and later laid into the docent again. The
docent, to his credit, couldn't apologize more. I suspect the
docent considered all fighting men to be "soldiers" however,
I'm sure he knows there is a difference now.
The museum tried to show many aspects of the war and dwelled on
Japanese (Rape of Nanking, Bataan Death March) and Nazi
(Holocaust) atrocities as well as the Allied firebombing of the
Japanese mainland. The docent seemed to want to dwell on the
latter too long for me. I would recommend seeing this museum if
you ever visit New Orleans as the intend to continue adding to
it. Just force yourself to keep away from Bourbon Street and all
its scantily clad and other attractions for a while.
Jim Harris, former Lance Corporal, always a Marine Semper
Fidelis to God, Family, Country and Corps
I am so proud of my Marine, LCpl Daniel Lambert. Daniel
fulfilled a boyhood dream in September 2007 when he completed
boot camp at Parris Island - he was a Marine! But to me I am
proud of my son for more than being a Marine. When he graduated
from high school in June of 2007 he was a honor student and had
been accepted at NC State University and was recruited by a
small college in NC to play football. However, Daniel choose to
follow his dream and leave for boot camp just two weeks after
graduating. Daniel just returned from a seven month deployment
overseas and is expected to deploy again in early 2010.
Daniel's grandfather served in the Navy in World War II and a
very special man he "adopted" as his grandfather served in the
Army in World War II. These two men are Daniel's heroes but MY
HERO is my son - my Marine - LCpl Daniel Lambert!
A Proud Marine Mom
Dawn Lambert
And I Quote...
"[T]he flames kindled on the 4th of July 1776, have spread over
too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines
of despotism; on the contrary, they will consume these engines
and all who work them."
-Thomas Jefferson
Dear Sgt. Grit-
My son, LCpl Jordan C. Haerter of Sag Harbor, New York, a proud
member of 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, The Walking Dead, was
killed in action on 22 April, 2008
He was guarding an entry control point at Ramadi, Iraq along
side of Cpl Jonathan T. Yale of 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines who
also perished.
Jordan and Jonathan were posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for
Extraordinary Heroism for their actions at a beautiful ceremony
fittingly held at the awesome, National Museum of the Marine
Corps in Triangle, VA.
Many of Jordan's Marine brothers and his girlfriend have sent me
photos of their tattoos that they have had done to honor Jordan.
These are lifetime remembrances that they proudly wear and I
love them for that.
Marines are a true brotherhood
Semper Fidelis!
JoAnn Lyles
Forever Proud Mom of LCpl Jordan C. Haerter, USMC
Hey Sgt. Grit,
Well, as for me, I'm only 16 years old but I love the Marines so
much that to me it's not another branch of the military but more
like a passion and a way of life. Most of the Marines I know are
really crazy but also are very dedicated. So far, I am planning
to join the Marines unless I have something holding me back here
at home. My family is very supportive with my decisions and very
open to what I plan to do. I have been in an Army JROTC for the
passed 3-4 months and I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the
Marine JROTC, so I plan to return to that. Whatever it takes. I
love that program with all my heart because it made me who I am
today and made me realize so much about life.
With that being said, I would like to thank Sgt Maj. and Lt Col.
for that because they have been there through my ups and downs
and even though I wasn't always the best at everything, they
helped me get somewhere better than I was yesterday. My entire
life I always tried different things like playing
guitar, saxophone, trumpet, basketball, modeling, and being in the
band, but nothing ever made me have the pride that I have when I
get up in the morning and put on the uniform that our men and
women wear today and have worn in many different years. When I'm
in that uniform I feel a rush and so much pride and respect for
our country and I just want to thank anyone who has served or is
planning to serve because little by little we make this country
and this world a better place. God bless the USMC!
With much love and respect to the Marine Corps,
Leticia M. Lezcano
And I Quote...
"A free people [claim] their rights as derived from the laws of
nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate."
-Thomas Jefferson
Dear Sgt, Grit,
My son Levi Howe graduated from the Young Marines boot camp on
June 10, 2009 in Gardner, Ks. I was always proud of him but he
really made me proud that night. His CO really cares for his
kids. Thank you!
Hey, Sgt, Grit.
Thought you might like some pics of my son, Jesse in
Afghanistan. The group pic is of his embedded training team, ETT
5-4. 4 of them, including himself, are training the ANA or
Afghan National Army and the rest are assigned to humanitarian
teams throughout Afghanistan. The other pic is of him playing
football with our army. Who says our Marines and army can't get
along? LOL!
He has been stationed in the Kunar Province which is on the
border of Pakistan since November.
Thanks for all of your support for our brave men and women...I
call his ETT pic "The band of Brothers".
SEMPER FI....
Kelly Sekuterski
Dear Sergeant:
My book ....Airdales of Guadalcanal ...is now made into a
screenplay. Hopefully it will be seen by a producer for a movie.
The Marine Corps Avenger TBF-1 was in service at the beginning
of the Guadalcanal campaign.
Although a work of fiction the screenplay it took over 2-years
to put together a story of a TBF-1 torpedo bomber and a crew
that flew the offensive missions against the Japanese Army, and
Navy.
Your news letter is a wonderful tool to remind us of the supreme
sacrifices the Pilot sand Airdales contribution to win the
Pacific War. It will be appreciated if you would mention the
screenplay in your news letter.
Sincerely
Patrick Delligatti
And I Quote...
"He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing."
-Benjamin Franklin
Dear Sgt.
You recently posted some photos of my Marine and I at my wedding
in April. Thank you for that!
I wanted to tell you real quick how totally awesome the Marine
Corps family REALLY is. My son PFC Hebb, Nick L. is on his way
to Oki. Japan for two years. He is my only son, we are
extremely close so this is pretty hard on both of us. I put him
on a plane out of St. Louis Mo. on the 9th heading to NC where
he will catch another one on the 10th to Seattle WA. From there
he boards an aircraft for Japan. He hit Seattle about quarter
till 5 pm on the 10th, which is today. As I am typing to you
two of my Marine mom, email buddies since boot, are with him and
two of his boot camp guitar playing buddies from boot. I have
arranged for him to meet these ladies upon arrival.
They are taking him sight seeing and out to dinner before he has
to leave US soil for two years. Originally it was only planned
that they meet Nick but when he hit the USO in Raleigh he hooked
up with his two buddies. Well, being the awesome Marine Corps
moms that they are, they switched from a car to a van to
accommodate all three of them at the last minute. One of the
ladies even bought more Bibles so they all have one. They are
sending them off with their bellies stuffed and a bag full of
all sort of goodies for the plane ride. Now how cool is that!
Marine moms rule!
To give you a really good example: one of my friends who lives
here at home with me and is suppose to be a real true friend,
was supposed to and promised to, get Nick a St. Christopher's
necklace for before he left. I wanted more than anything for him
to leave with one. I even emailed her a few days before he left
and she still said she was going to get him one. Well when he
left here yesterday, he didn't have it. So I email these two
Marine moms in Seattle and plead my dilemma with them and you
know what! When I got home I had two messages on the machine.
They had found him a necklace and were on their way to the
church to have it and the Bibles blessed by a priest. No where
on the face of this earth have I found such loyalty, not even
from my so called friend who sadly let me down in a time of
need.
Here these two ladies are, all the way across the country, and
have never meet him yet them didn't seem to have any trouble
coming thru for him, and at the last second! Loyalty truly does
not exist like that outside the Marine family. God Bless the
Marine Momma's!
Semper Fi,
VPMM of Hebb, Nick L.
3rd MLG Oki, Japan
Camp Hansen
About one month ago, my wife and I were eating at a restaurant
in Terre Haute, Indiana.
We had our meal, and were talking when a man walked in from my
left. He was straight as a board, crew cut, chest out, flat
abs, eyes straight ahead, and walking as if marching with great
pride. I told my wife, "he is a Marine or a great copy of one".
We finished eating, and I excused myself and said, "I'm going to
talk to him". I walked over to the man, and said,"You are a
Marine, or I miss my guess".
He stood up, looking me right in the eye, shook my hand, and
pulled out his business card, and introduced himself. "I'm Major
General Tom Jones, retired, and If there is anything I can ever
do for you, just ask." It was indeed one of the great
highlights of my life as a Marine.
Major General Thomas Jones, Retired is one of the Board of
Directors for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund organization. As
Marines, we are all lucky to have officers of this quality.
I will be writing him soon, and it was my honor to have met him
that day.
Semper Fi
Former Marine Sergeant Jim Wade, 1955 to 1961, 3rd and 2nd Tank Bn.
And I Quote...
"The right of resisting oppression is a natural right."
-President Andrew Jackson
Freedom has a flavor...The rest of the story!
ORIGIN to the Tim Craft message originating in Vietnam, 1968
L/Cpl Edwin L. "Tim" Craft, B Co 3rd AT's, Khe Sanh Combat Base,
February, 1968
Read the article
On 13 June 1966, members of the 3rd Mar Div, LVTE-1 Platoon
were on a search and clear/ search and destroy mission in
support of 1st Battalion, 9th Marines at Hill 55. At around 12
noon, a booby-trap (bouncing Betty) was tripped killing 4 and
wounding 4 from our platoon. William Dely was one of the KIA. A
bridge will soon be named in his honor in WV.
Frank J Scorsone
WIA 13 June 1966 Hill 55
And I Quote...
"If ever there was a time to save, it's now. When a dog gets a
bone he don't go out and make the first payment on a bigger
bone. He buries the one he's got."
Will Rogers
I attended a wedding in Rochester NY over the weekend and the
cousin of the groom attended in his dress blues. My son is a
Marine for almost 4 years now. He was stationed in Iwakuni Japan
for 2 years and is now in Quantico VA with the HMX-1 Squadron. I
have only seen him in pictures with his dress blues on at the
Ball with other Marines all in their blues and I could tell from
looking at the pictures this Marine in NY was not squared up
properly. He was out side and he wasn't wearing his cover and
his pants were so long they were dragging on the pavement. His
hair was long and he didn't look sharp like a Marine in his
dress blues should. I didn't say anything because I wasn't sure
what to say.
I know he just got back from Iraq and everyone there was glad he
was back and probably could care less about dress blues
protocol. My cousin Adam who was not in the Marines but sat at
the reception table with me also made a comment about him being
out of uniform. We both said he just didn't look right. Halfway
into the reception and many drinks later the white belt was
undone and the jacket hanging open with his t-shirt showing. My
cousin Adam told me when they were outside smoking a cigarette
he made a comment to him about being out of uniform and this
Marine told him he didn't give a f**k because he was on vacation.
I mentioned this to a few of my relatives at the reception that
maybe he shouldn't have worn his uniform if he wasn't going to
wear it properly and was basically told to shut up. I think if
you are going to wear your dress blues then wear them properly
and proudly the whole time they are on or leave it at home and
wear a suit even if you are on vacation. Am I wrong???
K Jenkins Pembroke Pines FL
Proud MOM of Cpl Travis Jenkins
I wanted to say thank you to the Sgt. Grit's team for making me
this bumper sticker. I've seen several items for wives,
girlfriends, and fiances, but never anything for those of us who
are proud of being a Marine Corps brat. As I drive around town
or on the freeway it has become common place for Marines, young
and old, new guard and old guard, to wave, salute, or honk their
horns. Those around me think I'm nuts to place this on my car,
but I am truly thankful for the service and sacrifice the
Marines have made so that I may enjoy my freedom at home.
Thank you to all who have served and are actively serving both
at home and abroad.
Oohrah!
Tina Minkkinen
Daughter of Staff Sergeant Ronald Miles Service Dates
(1959-1972)
Create Your Own Bumper Sticker
And I Quote...
"Government, in my humble opinion, should be formed to secure
and to enlarge the exercise of the natural rights of its
members; and every government, which has not this in view, as
its principal object, is not a government of the legitimate
kind."
--James Wilson, 1790
Here is a picture of my new Marine Mom tattoo. I have one son
who is a Marine and is currently in his MOS school in Missouri
and another son who is scheduled to ship to Parris Island this
summer after High School graduation. I am so proud of both my
boys!
and here is one of my brand new Marine! and my future Marine!
Very proud Marine mom of PFC Keith
Dear SGT. Grit,
My son Jeffrey went to boot camp last August.(2008) He left just
before his 18th birthday, and to be honest I had hoped that he
would go to college and play baseball, but he chose the Marine
Corps, and what a great decision that was. To pass the time
away, and to make me feel closer to him I started to read
everything I could on the Marine Corps. I started reading about
Parris Island and the training that these young men and women go
through to become Marines.
Unless you have lived it you will never know the sacrifice and
hardships these people go through, so that they can protect us.
I always knew the Marines where the best, but I never really
knew how good they where until I started my reading. Some of the
stories of what past Marines have done just blew me away. One
thing that I didn't realize is what a close nit organization the
Marines are. As I look back on graduation day, it makes me happy
to know that I didn't loose a son to the Corps, but I gained
thousands of Marine step-sons and daughters. I thank everyone
that has served or is serving now, you, people are true heroes.
I am including a picture of my tattoo in hopes that you will
post it with the others.
Thank you,
Tom Woodings
And I Quote...
"In a situation where there is no righteous person, try to be a
righteous person".
-Hillel
I was recently looking at some old 1960 era photos of myself,
Lance Corporal Gary E. Stevens and a very good friend of mine,
Cpl. Charles "Skip " Venable, who were photographed together
while going through Recon School at Dam Neck, Virginia. We
were stationed aboard the USS. Newport News, CA148, a heavy
cruiser, the ship which was selected to have it's Marines board
the Russian Ship suspected of bringing missiles into Cuba to
check and verify the intelligence report. Fortunately, the
ship turned around on it's own prior to reaching our position
and the Cuban Crisis kind of deescalated from that point on.
Anyway, I digress, I tracked skip down to Dover, Delaware,
learning that he was a retired Major in the Delaware state
Police and that we had followed much the same career paths,
myself having entered the Ohio State Highway Patrol at the same
point, but later left to pursue a college degree and bigger
bucks. Upon getting reacquainted and learning that I was
having another bout with Leukemia, Skip packed up the wife and
drove to Ohio for a visit.
Upon arriving, Skip was impressed by my den, which looks like a
USMC museum. My Dress Blues Uniform from sea duty days, is
displayed in a glass case with pistols, knives, grenades,
bullets, patches, Japanese and German war souvenirs on shelves
and in display cases. Upon seeing this, Skip commented that an
old friend of his had given him a WWI USMC helmet and that it
would look good with my collection. Taking this in, I waited
four days before calling offering to trade him something for the
helmet. His reply was: " It's already in the mail." Upon
examining the helmet I found it to be well constructed, olive
drab, with a small USMC emblem sitting above a painted
insignia: a yellow square, with a white star, and an Indian
chief centered on the star? I looked through all of the
literature I have but could not find any history related to this
insignia. Can you or any of your readers help in identifying
this insignia and any history that may be attached to it.
Thanks to all, and Semper Fi, Devil Dogs.
I understand that a member of Congress from Kansas is proposing
that the Navy and the Marine Corps in the future be known as
"Navy and Marine Corps". Does anyone know why he is proposing
this? It seems to me that the Marine Corps being 20% of the Navy
has worked out Ok over the years.
Rodney A. Davies
Sgt. Grit,
In the 4 June issue of the newsletter, MGySgt. R. M. Neuman told
about the time, as a junior enlisted man, when he was hassled by
a gate guard for driving his officer's car without written
permission (while his officer was riding as passenger in the
vehicle).
For some reason, (probably because it's June now) that reminded
me of my own close brush with the MP's that could have derailed
my career.
I reported to The Basic School as a brand new second lieutenant
around 15Mar66. After a few months of separation from my
fiancée, we made plans by long distance phone to get married
during the long 4th of July weekend. However, her older brother
died of Hotchkins Disease around May or June, at the age of 22,
about a year and a half younger that I was at the time. Afraid
that her getting married so soon after Larry's death would
further upset her parents, she said we should postpone our
plans. I decided to go home to Texas on leave, anyway.
The first thing she said to me when I arrived was, "I've changed
my mind.
I'm coming up in two weeks and we'll get married after all."
I asked her whom she intended to marry, since I had spent all my
money on the plane ticket home to see her.
When I got back to TBS, I not only had to deal with the daily
training routine, but I also had to buy a car and find an
apartment for us during the last month of our stay in Quantico.
Long story short: I bought a '64 Chevy Impala convertible (the
only convertible I've ever owned) at a used car lot owned by a
retired gunny in Triangle with a Greek name, which, for some
reason, I can't remember after only 43 years. I also made
arrangements for her to stay in the "Hospitality House" aboard
Mainside Quantico. Then, over the last weekend in June, I drove
up to Baltimore to meet her at the airport.
During the week, I left the car with her, since I would be in
classes or out in the field all day. Around Wednesday, when I
returned to the BOQ at the end of the training day, I found an
urgent message waiting for me to contact the Base Provost
Marshal regarding possible charges stemming from an accident
involving my vehicle! My roommate drove me into mainside.
The "Hospitality House" parking lot sloped gradually down toward
the banks of the Potomac River, and was separated from that body
of water only by a few large trees. I found out that my young
lady had parked in the lot up near the house, only to have the
car roll back, almost going over the edge into the river, if it
had not been stopped by the trunk of one of those aforementioned
trees. She apparently did not put it in "park".
Unfortunately, that was not the only problem. On its way toward
the river, my shiny yellow convertible managed to knock out the
tail light of another car, which happened to belong to a
colonel. In addition to the accident itself, and the damage to
his property (which was much less than the nice long gouge now
gracing the entire length of my "new" used car), we were not yet
married, so my young lady was not authorized to drive my vehicle
aboard the base. They had me on three different charges!
Fortunately, the colonel decided not to press those charges. He
said he didn't want to ruin my career before it really got
started. (THANK YOU, SIR!) Besides, my car had more damage than his did. That "scar"
was still there a year and a half later, after my 'Nam tour,
when I traded the convertible in for the first new car I ever
bought.
And, yes, I married the young lady, anyway, on Saturday,
23Jul66.
Semper Fi!
Tom Downey
Once a captain, USMCR; always a Marine
Subject: I called my stockbroker
I called my stockbroker today and asked, "What are you buying"?
His answer: canned goods and ammunition.
Fueled by the Fallen
Sgt Grit,
This issue has focused on DI's. from Parris Island and San
Diego. We all had the same kind of introduction to Marine life.
I went through P.I. from June-August of 1958. I know what we
went through at P.I. but I have heard some of my buddies talk
about "Little Agony" and " Big Agony". Today someone talked
about the "Reaper". I don't know if they are one and the same or
not but this is one former Marine that is glad we didn't have
anything like that. There were no yellow footprints at P.I. in
1958. We all seem to agree that we hated our DI's for 3 months
and then thanked them for the rest of our lives. I may have
mentioned this book before but this book was written by 5 former
DI's. It explains boot camp from their point of view. They lay
out week by week what is expected of them with their platoon.
Pressure is put on them so they have put pressure on the platoon
to accomplish all of these tasks. Some of them will put in as
much as 100 hours a week sometime if that is what it takes. They
break the training down week by week through the whole 13 weeks.
The name of the book is, "The Few and the Proud" The old gunny
Richard Ermey is one of the DI's. It will make you want to
contact your DI. They would appreciate the call. Don't wait too
long because 2 of mine had already passed away. The widow of my
Sr. DI said that he would have been very grateful.
L/CPL Harold Beasley
1958-1962
And I Quote...
"The hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of
this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend.
Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are Freemen, fighting
for the blessings of Liberty - that slavery will be your
portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit
yourselves like men."
--George Washington
Doc Miller here, just wanted to let you know I received my shirt
yesterday it was outstanding. This is the 4th one I have bought
from you and keep getting better every year. I liked the Marine
Corpsman on the back. I had a Colonel Bassett tell me I was
great and told me I was not a Navy Corpsman but a Marine Doc all
the way. I felt very proud of that statement. I worked with some
of the best Marines in the Corps.
Semper Fi
HM1 (DOC) C. T. Miller
Flag Day June 14, 2009
WWII Veterans Honored
I am on our Legion Honor Guard, one of our past commanders Bill
Kaufman had noticed that we had lost a lot of our WWII Veterans
last year. So he said we should find a day and get them all
together for a picture. Well it took some time to get the right
day for the picture. We finally picked "Flag Day" because all of
our snow birds would be back for the summer. Also it was a date
close to the "D-Day Anniversary". The Flag Day program is always
put on by the Grand Haven Elk's Lodge with support from the
American Legion and the VFW. I asked the chairman Mike Lankes
from the Elk's Fag Day Committee if we could be part of their
program that day. He said YES.
I had told the VFW Commander Darrell Thornley about what I had
planed. He was very pleased because he is a WWII, Korea and
Vietnam Veteran. So we worked together to get American Legion
and VFW members to spread the word to the community so we could
get as many WWII Veterans. Our local newspaper ran an article
for us.
When I told members from our Legion Riders about what we wanted
to do. They came up with the idea to escort our WWII Veterans
from the Waterfront Stadium where the Flag Day program was and
to also cook a dinner for the WWII Veterans and their guests.
We had a great day, 68 WWII veterans came to the Flag Day
program and had a wonderful dinner. Lots of the veterans stayed
late and just talked to old friends and made some new friends
that day.
The wonderful people from Sgt. Grit helped me get them all the
special WWII Veterans Pin (15908). You made their day. Lots of
them wondered where I found a Great pin like that. I told them
about Sgt. Grit. I want to thank all of you at Sgt. Grit for
helping me get the pins so I could have them for Flag Day when I
found out I needed more pins with only 3 days to go.
Grand Haven, Mi.
American Legion Post #28
2nd Vice Commander
David L. MacKellar "Mack"
ex-Marine, Sgt. Mack 1970-74 Semper Fi
And I Quote...
"Eloquence and good intentions exempt no one from the truth of
the past. "
Victor Davis Hanson
Lindsay thank you for setting AOL straight. I received my Sgt
Grit newsletter this week. I read them nearly everyday till the
next one arrives. It was like missing an old friend when they
stopped coming. So again thank you so much from an old Marine
SEMPER FI
GUNNY T
My Senior DI was GySgt Deshotel a veteran of
Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, Inchon, Chosin.
After being in Boot Camp for about a week he said to us. "The
Marines are in the real estate business and we pay for that land
in blood." I have never forgotten that statement and how true it
is.
Phil Townes
1960-1963
I am writing in regards to a momentous event that occurred this
past weekend (11-14 June 2009).
In 1969, an honor platoon graduated from "A" Company, 1st
Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD, San Diego. Platoon 1066 Drill
Instructors were, SSgt. Guadalupe Gonzalez, Senior Drill
Instructor, SSgt. Ed E. Alley, and Sgt. Anthony Leon Gatling.
The Honor Man was Private (awarded PFC) Steven Wills. Although
awarded the "Honor Platoon" streamer for their Guidon, members
of this platoon has exemplified the meaning of honor throughout
their military and civilian careers. One member, Ken Fielder,
has been awarded 5 Purple Hearts and the bronze star. Of all the
members of this platoon that saw duty in Viet Nam, not one
failed to return. This, in itself, is unheard of. The Senior
Drill Instructor, SSgt. Gonzalez, however, feeling the call to
serve again, returned to Viet Nam, where he was fatally wounded
by a booby trap.
In honor of SSgt. Gonzalez and the two remaining Drill
Instructors, a reunion was held in Branson Missouri 40 years
later, organized by Recruit Platoon 1066 members, William "Tom"
Rogers and Robert "Bob" Deal. They were assisted by Tom's wife
Michelle, Honor Man, Steve Wills and 1066 platoon member, Mark
Tapscott (ret SSgt).
This is the only reunion of it's kind and I hope that you will
find it of interest to your readers.
Attached are photographs of the recruit platoon, drill
instructors and attendees of the reunion.
Semper Fi
Anthony Leon Gatling
My son Sgt Ryan Mathew Robinson was a US Marine, assigned to the
HQ Battery,14 Regiment, 4th Division, stationed at the NAS/JRB,
Fort Worth, Texas. He had served in Iraq in 2005 and 2006 but
had come home with brain trauma from numerous concussions
received during combat. Although under medication for seizures,
he left us for heaven on September 1st, 2008, after having a
grand mall seizure as he slept. We are a family of service. My
father was the adjutant US Marine orderly bodyguard for Admiral
Kimmel and Nimitz at Pearl Harbor during the attack by the
Japanese. My mother was an US Army Nurse. Oldest brother,
Navy...middle brother, USMC...I was in the Air Force...oldest
son, Navy (USS George Washington) ....and Ryan was our Marine. My
wife, Bonnie, started getting support from "Gold Star Moms" on
the internet several months after Ryan's passing. This article
I know will touch many Marine moms and dads....sons and daughters
that have lost our loved ones in service to there country.
My Dear family members,
We, Bonnie and I hope that when this is read we will all be
reminded of God' providential and love for us. A few weeks
Bonnie wrote about how she was feeling and I responded and tried
to encouraged her to be strong. I told her I wish I was near to
hug her. Bonnie, precious mom of Ryan wrote me back and we
started to correspond.
Bonnie's husband decided to take her on a cruise just to cheer
her up somewhat. She really wasn't interested until she found
out that the ship would make a short stop in Jamaica. She became
excited for maybe, just maybe, we could meet. I was excited when
she told me of her pending trip so I begged my husband to take
me to Montego Bay which is a three hour drive both ways from my
home. Now I am presently going to university in Kingston which
is another hour and a half drive from my home.
We put our plans in place to meet. I had to ask for special
absence from classes, which was gladly given when I told the
lecturer why I was going to be absent. He felt it as of
uttermost importance to at less try to meet Bonnie. I was not
penalized. I was given extra reading to make up for the
hours.(God be praised for that) Bonnie and I were just like kids
who were promised a new doll. We could hardly wait for the day
to come.
The morning April 15 came and I started to travel from 5:30
since I live on campus. I was late reaching home but my husband
was ready so we started our long journey. We drove fast which is
not the norm especially since a year ago we had a terrible
accident. But we prayed as we left home. We were about an hour
into our journey when my cell rang. It was the tour guide
telling us that Bonnie was waiting. Now you know how children
are when what they were promised is near. I was nearly beside
myself. Only God knows what I was going through. I was saying I
should have missed classes the day before too, then we would
have been on time and would not get caught up in traffic. Anyway
we finally reached the pier. Bonnie knew what I was wearing and
the color vehicle so she spotted us. It was so good to finally
put a face to the words and voice. We hugged and went to spend a
few hours sharing our boys with each other.
As we sat having lunch sharing stories and just getting to know
each other, crying too, we started sharing pictures. Bonnie gave
me a small album among other pictures to look at. Perhaps
because of its side I put it aside and somehow almost forgot it.
We started to share more stories when I started to put the
pictures together when I saw the album and picked it up and
began looking through it, looking at Bonnie granddaughter and
more pictures of baby Ryan and Doug when I came to the very last
picture in the album. It was the only picture of Ryan in Iraq.
He took the picture with two of his friends. As I looked at Ryan
and started to look at his friend stooping on top the Humvee....
whose smile, whose eyes, whose fingers was I looking at??????
None other than that of my precious, loving adorable, unique
only child the one and only STEPHEN RON-O'NEIL KARL RICHARDSON
SR smiling at his mom. ...ME. I jumped up, I screamed 'this is
Stephen, this is Stephen'. I ran outside to look at the picture
in the natural light to make sure and there he was.....my
Steve.... my precious child. We could not believe it. Of all the
pictures Bonnie had, she choose that one. It was an act of God.
Only He knew how many times I wish I could see a picture o
Stephen in Iraq. He was deployed on February 8, 07 and pass away
on March 20, 07. I was overjoyed. We were all crying and looking
at the picture of our boys-RYAN AND STEPHEN smiling at us.
Bonnie had remarked once that she believed our boys wanted us to
meet and that they would smile when we did meet. Was this a self
fulfilling prophecy. She did not know Stephen. She did not know
that both boys knew each other. She also said she felt that God
wanted us to meet. Well what do you think? I am just thanking
GOD again for being good to me. I saw Stephen smiling at me. If
he was here he would say 'Mommy I know this would make you
happy. Meet Ryan my friend' We, Bonnie and I have been replaying
this meeting, set up by God, over and over again in our minds.
God You Are Good. To You Be All Praise Glory And Honor. David in
Psalm 16 verses 5&6 says 'You, Lord are all I have and You give
me all I need; my future is in Your hand. How wonderful are Your
gifts to me, how good they are!' This is one of them good gifts
so we can say without a shadow of doubt that GOD'S HANDS ARE IN
OUR LIVES.
Bonnie's family and mine trust that as you read you will come to
appreciate the fact that Our God Is With Us And We Are Not Alone
and added to that He has brought us together for His own purpose
and reason which we will never understand but let us trust His
heart for He Loves Us With An Everlasting Love.
We will grieve every day for the rest of or lives but we can
find comfort in His promises which leads to life eternal. God
bless you. Have a day filled with His choicest blessings.
Jackie C. Proud mom of Stephen,
Bonnie Robinson
Proud mom of Ryan.
DOUBLE big bear hug from both families filled with much love and
sun shine
From Doug Robinson,
Proud father of Sgt Ryan Robinson, USMC
And I Quote...
"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and
that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to
others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry
and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of
association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his
industry and the fruits acquired by it."
--Thomas Jefferson
My BROTHER Is A Marine
In the face of Terror...
God Bless America!
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done.
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
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