Author: SgtGrit

Bumper Stickers From My Era

Looking through your closeout items I was glad to see a couple of bumper stickers from my era. The Cold War (1955 – 1959). Thank you.

I was p-ssed when I:

1. Got demoted from Sgt to Cpl (rate change structure).
2. Didn't receive a Fire Watch ribbon (National Defense).
3. Can't join the American Legion (on my own merit). read more

No Painkiller

While a hard-charging L/Cpl at Marine Barracks, San Francisco Naval Shipyard (Hunter's Point) in 1963, I had to pass up our usual Friday noon chow, which was a choice between rib-eye steak or lobster tails. (Kudos here to SSgt Floyd Cook, our Mess NCO, who always delivered the very best chow to the 76 Marines at the Barracks). read more

Sorry Daddy

Many of you know I bleed Garnet and Gold, but before I became a rabid FSU fan I was and still am a very patriotic person. As an Army brat I was taught from the get go just what it meant to be an American, and just what our servicemen went thru to make sure all our US citizens could live free. Then in the 60s, Vietnam happened and not only did my Daddy go to Vietnam (twice, got a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for saving his whole group of men he was in charge of), but friends I went to HS with and many other young men including my U.S. Marine Corps husband. read more

Civil War Marine

Camp 22, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War had a brief Memorial Day Ceremony at the GAR plot, Old City Cemetery Sacramento, Calif. It was decided that the stones were in dire need of cleaning, so the following Saturday was spent cleaning the headstones. As I scrubbed away the mold, one revealed the inscription U.S. Marine Corps. What a surprise, a Civil War Marine. read more

Better Than Nothing

Sgt. Grit,

My compliments to you & your folks on your great Newsletter & the quality gear I've purchased from your catalog.

Also, one of the things that Ddick mentioned. C-Rat butts, old but better than nothing, they'll choke you to death until you get used to them, if ever. I had the "luxury" of smoking many in the (2) tours I was over there. For the Sgt's information, the Lucky Strike's did have a green ring & also on the Camel packs, the camel only had one hump, not two, like on the "newer" packs. If you'll check out the attachment included with this e-mail, you'll see what I mean. read more

Private First Class Vincent Smejkal

For Father's Day I received this picture from my son. He is stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Currently he is training in the martial arts and mentions that if something happens to his weapon he has to be able to take out the enemy with his bare hands. read more

Have A Nice Flight

Was commuting from CA, (2004) and still working whilst building the retirement home… got to Nashville every couple weeks to check on progress, make decisions (colors, etc.), all the things involved with the general contractor… got on the internet one night with the laptop at the motel, was sure I had changed my airline reservation by one day… got to the airport, went to check in, and the CSR advised that my res was for the day before, and the plane was full, and basically, I was scr-wed… (feeder airline for United). The Station Manager happened by, must've noted my cover, wanted to know what the problem was? A few keyboard clicks later, he had created a seat on a full flight for me… and told me he was never a Marine, but was a Master Guns' dependent… and pointing to the flag hung in the ticket gallery, said "that flag's up there because of guys like my Dad and you… have a nice flight!" True story… I hope some poor travelling salesman didn't get bumped… but wasn't going to ask… read more