Author: SgtGrit
Welcome Back Marines!
Welcome Back Marines!
Alexa, I know how you feel about getting suprised by an early return! This was our son’s second deployment to Iraq and being through one already, we figured that the time posted on our 1-800 number would be different than the actual return time. And boy, was it! We had gone to the mall to “kill time”, and had just pulled up in to a parking space and let my daughter out to purchase a book when the phone rang and it was our Kyle, letting us know that they were at Cherry Point, getting ready to pull out and head over to Camp LeJeune! I ran in to the book store, where, thankfully my daughter was just making her purchase, and we rushed over to our hotel, grabbed our banner and headed over to the grassy knoll to wait their arrival. God Bless the Marines for getting our son and the other men back safely, AND early! Semper Gumby, right?
My Son’s Picture
Sizemore Stables
Sizemore Stables
233rd Birthday Ball
This is Camp Striker, Transit Hub for Iraq; We have over 15,000 pax, and transit over 3300 per day; This has been a blessing; Have loved the five years over here; I have a team of 27, all Can-Do & Get-It Done folks; We have 8 to 10 Generals pass threw our Quarters each week;
My Son
My Son
This is my son in Iraq after a day that he thought would never end. Brian is a scout with 2d LAR, soon to come home from his second deployment. Brian celebrated ( if you can call it that) his 21st birthday while he was there this time.
This picture shows me so much emotion, and I respect my Son so much for his job of being a United States Marine ~~ Semper Fi
Welcome Home Marine!
Welcome Home Marine!
This story begins on September 16th at 8am… Like any other excited wife, I was rushing around the house to get everything done, cleaned up, washed — you name it. My husband was going to be home that day at 1430, and even if he did not notice how the house looked, I still wanted it perfect.
CLB 1 Maintenance Company Homecoming
CLB 1 Maintenance Company Homecoming
Sgt. Grit,
On Saturday, September 6, we were at Camp Pendleton, CA to welcome home our son, LCpl Kronenberg as well as the rest of the members of CLB 1 Maintenance Company. These heroes, our young men and women had served for the last seven months in Fallujah, supporting Operation Iraquis Freedom. I’m sending along a few pictures, both of Justin while at work in Fallujah as well as his homecoming. We are so very poud of him and his fellow Devil Dogs for a job well done. This was Justin’s second deployment. His first was in T.Q. in 2005, being deployed just 3 days after he and our lovely daughter-in-law Tavia were wed. Tavia served during both deployments as a KVP, during this deployment she was asked to be the lead KVP and a big job well done to her.
Hero
Hero
My daughter wrote a song, and her band performed it on the 4th. It is called Hero. Here is a link to the video (Windows Media Player required). The pictures are mostly of my son Dustin in 2004 when he was in Iraq. He was the NCOIC of the Seabees convoy security. He escorted many Marine convoys during the time when the Marines were taking Falujah. He has the upmost respect for the Marines, as do I. I would like to thank all of them for a job well done, and to keep up the good work. There is one pic of my youngest son, when he was being inducted into the Blue Angels. As you can tell, I am extremely proud of them.
Sgt. Roper and Captain Slatic
Sgt. Roper and Captain Slatic
Gents, I enjoyed the recent pieces on 55 year old Sergeant Roper. Enjoy the attached photo of Sgt. Roper and me. It was taken last October/November about 60 clicks north of Fallujah on ASR Golden. I arrived at an Iraqi Highway patrol VCP and while I was walking around, I see this Marine who looks even older then me. I don?t get this very often as I was a year older then the MEF Sergeant Major at the time, having 18 years of broken service and being the oldest Captain in the USMC. Sergeant Roper explained his situation and it was very motivating even to another old warhorse such as me. Our reasons for coming back to do this again, not surprisingly, were identical. You don?t often see a photo of two Marines with a combined age of over 100?.at least not outside of MEF Headquarters.
A Marine and His Girl
A Marine and His Girl
Grit,
I wanted to share this video with anyone who is interested. It was taken at an airport last year when my friend Zander (Cpl. Behnke) was returning to the States after months away from home. His parents had gone to the airport to pick him up, and myself, my friend Jess, and Kara (the Cpl’s fianc?e) decided to tag along and surprise him. Kara was so jittery with excitement and while we were waiting for him to come up from the terminal, she hid behind a plant so that he wouldn’t see her until the last moment. When he finally came up the stairs, she squealed and bounced her way over to him. The look on his face was priceless. They immediately embraced like they would never let go of each other again and both of them began crying. Zander’s welcome crowd (including myself) was almost in tears as well.