Author: SgtGrit

No Numbers, Please… !!

My wife bought a Commemorative Ka-Bar from Sgt. Grit on the occasion of the 225th Anniversary of the Corps produced by Ka-Bar exclusively for OPERATION: ARLINGTON RIDGE. These Commemorative Ka-Bars were NOT NUMBERED, as, I believe, they were the first commemorative Ka-Bars offered by Sgt Grit. Mine was dated 10 November 2000. After these Ka-Bars sold out, Sgt. Grit began offering NUMBERED ones for special occasions and commemorative events… This kind of makes my Ka-Bar a special one now don't it!!! Got it displayed above my fireplace in a made-for-it wooden stand. I am including a photo of the original Certificate of Authenticity…. Just some trivia, I guess…. (Former) Sergeant Dan Dye, USMC read more

My Marine

As I lay me down to sleep,
For 54 hours your soul will weep.
Be strong my son, the end is near,
And this is when, you’ll have no fear.
The pain you feel, it will not last,
You’ve become a man and grown up fast.
My heart is full, so proud and serene,
The next time we meet you will be my MARINE!!
When you were a baby, I could not believe,
I’d created a person, so perfect to me,
And now my creation protects everyone,
I’m so proud to call you my baby, my son.
No matter where you go, where you march, where you fly,
You’ll ALWAYS be with me my son….SEMPER FI! read more

12 Marine 3rd MARDIV

In 1969 I was with the 2bn 12th Marines in Vietnam our unit supported the 9th Marines with direct artillery support along with other support activities. I remember one time being out on post at the rock pile. We had a dirt hole with a dig out on the side of the hole that two men could lay inside and sleep while a third man stood watch (4hrs) with an M60 machine gun and a detonator attached to Claymore mines. Here is a picture of the group that I was with in hooch 11 in Dong-Ha. read more

Leon N. Utter

A word ot thanks to Scott McClellan for his tribute to the late Col. Utter. Sorry I missed it when Scott first sent it in. I, too, was a member of 2/7 when we landed in Vietnam. I remember Lt.Col. Utter and I also remember you, Scott McClellan. As I recall, you were in battalion communications, I think message center. I was in the H&S company office. The 'mad house' office. With 'whispering John' Semensow, the First Sargeant. My name is Joe Panzarino. was a PFC when we got there. Left there a corporal. Left the Corps a Sergeant. Didn't stay in, as you did. Anyway, thanks for the memoral to Col. Utter. He was a fine Officer. Would be great to hear from you josephpanzarino44[at]yahoo.com. Take care. read more

Oldest Living Marine In United States

Oak Crest Celebrates the 237th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps

Resident Acknowledged as Oldest Former Marine in United States
Participates in Cake Cutting Tradition

Baltimore, MD – In 2010, former Marines who live and work at Oak Crest retirement community in Baltimore, Maryland, decided to celebrate the 235th anniversary of the founding of the United States Marine Corps. They did it by carrying forth the tradition of the cake-cutting ceremony in which the first slice of cake is given to the oldest Marine present, who in turn hands it off to the youngest Marine present. The custom symbolizes the experienced Marines passing their knowledge to a new generation. read more