Sgt Grit is a place where Marines can come and meet other Marines, share tattoos and stories, keep up with Marine Corps news, or shop for USMC gear.
This is my son, Abel Mendoza Jr, along with other poolees, swearing in to the USMC. While this is not what I wanted for him, I've never been more proud of him than I was at that moment, even if I was a hot mess.
His selflessness, willingness to honor and defend this great country, and his determination to succeed swells my heart with pride.
Here's the final set of photos from Jim's inurnment ceremony at Arlington National Cemetary.
The onlookers/mourners dressed in yellow shirt, vest, and cavalry hat are from Buffalo Soldiers group. Marilyn informed me that Jim was an honorary member of the special group of folks. One of the other Veterans being inurned that day was being honored by the Buffalo Soldiers group. Jim was also a member of MIAP (Missing In America Project).
In 1975, I was a Weapons Platoon Sergeant with Fox 2/7 at San Mateo, Camp Pendelton. All of the Battalion NCO's including myself were attending our monthly NCO meeting. Sgt.Maj. Yanachi was an Eskimo Indian, but to hear him tell it he was Born at Tun Tavern. The Sgt.Maj. when answering a question would always start out with "Well I remember in the Old Corps when all you young kids wer just a twinkle in your daddy's eye," and we would all give a little laugh. Being the Smart-Ass Comedian Sgt. that I was… I raised my hand and Sgt.Maj. pointed at me and said "Yes SGT. HAMMER." I stood up and asked him if he had any pictures of himself polishing his Sword and Shield in the Old Corps? Some NCO's were laughing and most were wide eyed going OOOOOH! He turned around to the podium (I thought he was ignoring me) and picked up the Battalion NCO Duty Roster, turning back to face me he said "NO, I'm sorry to say I don't Sgt. Hammer, but I promise I'll be here every weekend this month to take your picture at the battalion guard duty desk." He then ripped the schedule in half and threw it over his shoulder and looking around the room at all the other NCO's said "Is there any other questions?" "NO. Alright then, I want everybody here to thank Sgt. Hammer for volunteering for duty NCO this month so that his fellow Marine NCO's can enjoy their weekends this month… Isn't that right Sgt. Hammer?" I snapped to attention and yelled "Aye aye Sergeant Major!" Everybody snapped to attention and Sgt.Maj. yelled "DISMISSED" everybody was laughing so loud you wouldn't have heard a grenade go off. Every NCO patting me on the back saying "Way to go Hammer, Thanks!". I Loved the then and still do, I didn't mind at all. My Wife and Kids all lived on Base at 633-A Puller Place a five bedroom 2-1/2 bath NEW home. And I Respected the Sgt.Maj. more than any man on the Base. I read Sgt.Maj. Yanachi's Presidential Citation that on a mountain top in South Vietnam went outside the wire one night with no weapon other than his "Razor Sharp" E-tool to dig a "Cat-Hole" (out of Respect for his fellow Company Marines). On the way back to his position The Marines came under Attack. The Sgt.Maj. surrounded by Combat Armed NVA's who not wanting to fire their weapons at one "Lone Marine" and alert the Company of Marines inside the wire attempted to bayonet the (then) 1st.Sgt. Yanachi, He just started swinging that E-tool in all Directions. It was later determined (after the battle) that THIRTEEN (13) Enemy Soldiers had been killed by an E-tool. Sergeant Major Yanachi told me he had to dig a second Cat-Hole inside the wire to clean out his shorts. I TREASURE the memories of every day I served in the Corps from 1972 to 1978 even the bad ones.
TELFON HUN The real DEVIL DOG.
Semper Fidelis inside USMC lettering
Semper Fidelis lettering inside USMC
In your most recent Newsletter, Barry Farris commented on the blank stares that he receives when he mentions that he was stationed at Camp Napunja, Okinawa in 1956. I also have had the same problem when I say that I was at Camp Napunja in 1956 with the 3rd. Bn. 9th. Marines, after leaving Camp Okabu, japan, more blank stares. Napunja was still under construction when we hit the beach and was pretty much the way Farris describes it. I'm proud to say that our 3rd. Bn. included Col. Archie VanWinkle, Medal of Honor, then Weapons Company Comander and Col. Joe "Bull" Fisher, "Operation Starlite", then George Company Comander. After 80 years of life it's good to hear from someone else who was there. Semper Fi.
Its a family tradition!
This past Friday my son Hunter Vigil graduated from Parris Island. Pictured is me on the left, my son and my dad Wayne Vigil Sr. My dad served our Corps '71-'75, I served '91-'95 and now it's his turn to carry on the tradition. I wish him luck in all his endeavors the Corps presents him with. Too proud of a Papa to keep it to myself.
H Company, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment (Vietnam) held a reunion in Arlington, Virginia, August 31st – September 6th, 2015. We held a Memorial Service at the Iwo Jima Memorial for the 74 Marines and Corpsmen we lost during our time in Vietnam. Our guest speaker was Rear Admiral Brent Scott CHC, USN, Chaplain of the Marine Corps. Our Invocation was given by Commander Stephen Coates CHC, USN, Assistant Deputy Chaplain of the Marine Corps.
