Author: SgtGrit

Memorial Day……From 2008 Newsletter

Sgt. Grit,

 

Thank you for your continued support of connecting Marines, past, present and future with your newsletter. It is read almost as religiously as Leatherneck magazine when it arrives. Shortly, Memorial Day will be upon us, not the artificial one where everyone gets a long weekend by having a Monday off, but the true Memorial Day, May 30th. I know this to be true as I was born on Memorial Day, 1951. My father use to tell me he arranged to have all the kids at school to have the day off just because it was my birthday. Then, as now, I was pretty easy to fool. Each year around this time the memories come creeping back and my thoughts turn to those I had the honor of fighting with in Vietnam and those who did not make it back home. Following is an article I wrote for the company newsletter a couple years ago and thought it was worth “re-publishing” for my fellow Marines and their families. read more

Manhunt Inc.: Firm ‘Tags’ Terrorists for Special Ops

When trading ended Tuesday night at the New York Stock Exchange, the closing bell wasn’t rung by a titan of finance or an imported celebrity. It was sounded by the CEO of an obscure defense firm with deep ties to the U.S. intelligence and special operations communities. The traders on the floor may not have recognized Mary Margaret “Peggy” Styer. But her company’s products are well known by the small group of commandos and spies who hunt down top terrorists. read more

Recon Marine Awarded Navy Cross

ARLINGTON, Va. — Gunnery Sgt. Brian M. Blonder shot and killed an insurgent who was aiming a rocket-propelled grenade at his Marines. After that, Blonder and his Marines averaged killing one insurgent about every 10 minutes.

At the end of an all-day fight, more than 50 Taliban were dead, scores were retreating, and the Marines took control of a key supply route through the village of Shewan, Afghanistan. read more

PFC Bolowskie and his fellow Marines

Sgt. Grit,   I wanted to share that my son graduated and has now joined the ranks of the Marine Corps.  His mother and I are both Marines and in 92 we were issued 1 OD green child.  PFC Bolowskie graduated last month on Good Friday and it was the best Friday I have ever had, I cannot remember a day I was more proud. It had been 23 years, 2 months and 17 days since I had graduated on that same parade deck in San Diego. I noticed some things had changed, a couple more buildings, trees are a lot taller but the Marines that graduated are still as lean and mean and Gung Ho as any that have before him. He now stands a lot taller and has that great cocky attitude we all get from knowing we are serving in the greatest branch in the world. He's currently at MCT and sent me a pic with his new brothers that I wanted to share.   Semper Fi and God Bless!

My ” New York Marine” automobile plate

Sgt. Grit   I have been a PA resident for nearly 15 years. When You offered the Marine State plates I jumped at the chance to get one. When I joined the Corps in Jan 1955 I was a NY resident so I wanted to honor my Marine Corps heritage  with the NY plate rather than one from PA. I get many comments about the plate… not always flattering. But I proudly say “F— em’ if they can’t take a joke.” I love PA but I’m a native born New Yorker and proud of it. Thanks for the opportunity to flaunt my Marine Corps heritage. Several people ask me how to get one of these plates. Perhaps you could offer them again.   Attached is a photo of my plate.   Many thanks Marine.   Cpl. Fred Finch USMC Jan 1955 – Jan 1959