Author: SgtGrit

My son, Joshua with Gunny Ermey

Hello Sgt. Grit.   This is my first letter that I have ever written to you. I'm a disabled MARINE and I'm still very proud that I got the chance to serve in the MARINES. I wished that I could have done my Twenty or more yrs. in. Back in 2005 We were a month out from going back to Iraq that would have made my 4th time over in the big sandbox.    Anyhow I'm writing about my son Joshua. He was born at Camp Pendleton, Ca. at the Naval Hospital there on Base back 20yrs. ago Feb. of 1992. I'm very proud of him we almost lost him and I thank the lord every day for him. I'm just getting over my 3rd heart attack back 4 weeks ago and then two weeks ago I lost my Mom. Anyhow on Sat. Feb 11 Gunny R Lee Emery was in town here at Hoover Tact firearms. He was also here two yrs. ago and my son missed him. Well this time I made sure that he was going to get to meet gunny.    When we got there the wait time was 3hrs. long. Having a bad back and everything took its toll on me but I hung in there like we MARINES are supposed to do. He always, when he was little, would watch mail call and lock-n-loaded with Gunny. He pitch one more fit when they took it off the air and put on that ice road truckers. When we got to be the next in line to see Gunny He looked at me and said Dad I don't know what to say to him. I could see a tear in his left eye.    He told Gunny how much he missed his show and how much Gunny meant to him. I just stepped back and let him have his time with Gunny. I told Gunny that tomorrow was his Birthday and where he was born. Gunny grabbed ahold of him and gave him a big MARINE  Hug. He was so tickled to death. My Son on the way out when we got to the car gave me a big hug and told me that that was the best Birthday gift he had ever gotten and that I was in such pain that I waited that long in line for him to meet Gunny.    I said Son that's what we Marines do. We always go the extra mile or 100 miles to help someone or just to give. The next Morning I had my heart attack and my son said it was his fault. I tried to tell him it was not his fault. Anyhow I love and miss the Marines.   Semper Fi to All my Bro. and Sister Marines.  Sgt. Tom Harris ( TomtheMarine) Enclosed is a photo of my Son Joshua and Gunny.   

Buddy System

Sarge: Thought you might get a kick out of this. These are 4 guys that all joined the Marines on the buddy system. We did various lengths of hitches, but after the Corps we all ended up in law enforcement in one capacity or another.

This is a shot of the day we celebrated our 40th anniversary of enlisting in the Corps. We have one of your flags to commemorate the event. We are all wearing WW2 repro Marine camo with various and sundry other pieces of Corps equipment. The pooch on the end is a retired police K9 and has just taken a Japanese battle flag off of an enemy combatant who no longer needs it. Hope you get a kick out of the pic. read more

Tie Tie

Hi Skip,
I'm a pack Rat.

Recently there have been references to results of smoking when the smoking lamp was out during boot camp and how the buckets were put over your head, etc. Some of the letters to you seemed to not believe the stories were more than a sea story about the bucket. So I dug my bucket out and offer it as proof that we were issued them. Please note that on the bail of my bucket there is even a Tie Tie. In the past 60 odd years I have forgotten the use for the existing Tie Tie. I know it was functional or it would have been gone years ago. read more

What They Do Best

In regards to "name withheld" and his observations regarding the "lack" of Esprit de Corps… I've worked as a civilian construction contractor at the nearby VA hospital, and the brotherhood was alive and well there, amongst all the Marines who were no longer wearing uniform. One of the former Marines working in the Maintenance Dept. gifted me with a small USMC sticker to wear on my hard hat… guess where he bought those? read more

Life was grand

Sergeant Grit,

After returning from Vietnam in May 1966 my orders were to report to MCRD San Diego Ca. Upon my arrival I met with a SSGT who decides where to assign you. Looking at my paper work he informed me that I would be assigned to MP Company. Well, I wasn't that excited about the MP's so said to him I'll go but I will ask immediately for a transfer. He asked why and I said you don't want to put me on the gate with a loaded 45. read more

Sea Duty CV 19 USS Hancock

I served in the Marine Detachment and came aboard at N.A.S. Alameda Feb 1975- Went on that Westpac – then departed to another carrier in Jan 1976.

While On-board HANCOCK, I was a Brig Chaser and also on the 5 inch 38 gun crew, starboard bow. Matter-of fact, that is where(in the Gun Tub) Craig Tenney and I were hanging-out watching the UNREP when we had an Emergency Breakaway. I never would have thought an aircraft carrier could heel over that far trying to avoid collision. We could see the bow of the USS Kawishiwi coming toward the side of Hancock,we scrambled up out of the gun tub onto the flight deck.  I do not know the exact degree of list to the portside as we veered away, but looking at the flight deck, I think anything that was not secured or holding on would have gone over the side. Thinking back, I seem to remember a horn or Klaxon ??? and the 1MC shouting "Collision Eminent Take a Brace! Take a Brace – Collision Eminent". But as you well know memory is not always exact science. During Operation Frequent Wind, I was on the Flight Deck (with my M-14) as security; but looking back now, I think "People Herder" might be a better description. You could read the fear and disorientation in their expressions. read more