Author: SgtGrit

Nice Picture

Team Semper Fi

Hello to all;

A couple of weeks ago we went camping to Lake Anna (1hr SW of Fredricksburg, VA). I took my kids there to see Spanky Gibson and his team of heroic Americans. They ran a 1/2 triathlon as a team for the “Semper Fi Injured Marine Program” . It’s truly heart warming to see what the mind can make a body accomplish. At one point, I was caught between taking a photo of Mayor Adrien Fenty (DC) or Spanky Gibson, because they exited the 2000 mt swim at about the same time. F*** Mayor Fenty… I had to get Spanky hopping out of the water and through the event finish arch. He then slipped on his bionic contraption with an affixed cool li’l biking shoe and off he went to bike 55 miles.

Coming Home read more

Special Gift

Dear SGT GRIT,
I just wanted to send some support and love to my husband who is serving his 2 tour in Iraq. Our son who is eleven was really missing his dad. We changed gears and went from Marines to Army. So the tours are a lot longer. So I wanted to get him a special present this christmas, even know I couldnt bring his father home, I wanted him to see his father everday, and know why he he gets to play. I took his bike and took it to Bud at S&SKustums and told him what I saw, how I wanted my son to see my husband ,when he got on ,and also all the others who serve now, and tomorrow. Three months later its here . I wanted to share it with you. Its a sweet bike. I will never forget where I came from my husband said. He is very proud of the Marines. It was the Marines who made him a man, a ” great” man. One has to start a journery somewhere why not here. Thank You for all your support. read more

The Gathering of Eagles

Sgt. Grit,
Last Saturday, the 17th, I had the immense pleasure of attending the Gathering of Eagles with my dad. It made me proud to see all those vets and volunteers there peacefully defending the monuments and statues. Unfortunately (but not surprisingly), newspapers and broadcasts misreported the event, or even lied about it. It’s a shame that our troops might hear that we were outnumbered, when the truth is that we outnumbered them 3 to 1. Anyway, I promised you pictures, so here they are. I took way too many to send them all, but if you decide you want more than this, let me know and I’ll send them. read more

Our Marine Family

Dear Sgt. Grit:

One of the toughest things about being part of a Marine family is the physical distance we often experience as a group. Our oldest son is now a SSgt and is stationed in Okinawa with his (ready reserve) wife and two children. Our second son is a Sgt and, along with his Sgt. wife and their two children, are also stationed in Okinawa. Our oldest daughter is currently at Miramar, but knows another trip to the land of sand is coming within the next year. Our 2nd daughter is a university student and our youngest is a HS freshman. So Christmas 2006 we decided we’d had enough of all this distance and we flew everyone to Okinawa for 2.5 weeks of fun in the sun. It was WONDERFUL! We got to play golf, visit all the sights, check out Gate 2 Street (yeah, you know what happened there!! LOL) and spend Christmas all together for the first time since 1999! We were also joined by one DILs brother (yeah…he’s a Marine, too) for a great time and made some wonderful memories. We learned a lot about the island’s history and the Marine’s role in its occupation by American troops. As a place to visit one’s Marines I would recommend it highly. So many places our young people get stationed don’t offer a lot of options for places to stay and things to see, but Okinawa is a cut above. read more

Distinguished Rifleman

Sgt Grit Everyone knows that Marines can shoot. Its true that we are the best riflemen in the world because of our training. Hold-em and Squeeze-em we are taught and you will hit your target. Well I was taught well at Camp Mathews in July 1964 as part of the last series to go to that Marine rifle range before Edson range was opened in about Aug of that year. I shot a 232 (expert) and still have my Record book to prove it. read more

U.S.M.C. EMBLEM WOOD CARVING

Sst. Grit,

Four year ago I had a tree cut down in my back yard, the moment I saw that piece of wood I knew what it was going to be, it measures 4″x12″x14″, it sat next to my wood stove for 4 years drying out. I been a amateur wood carver for about 35 years, I have a few pieces that are among my favorites, but this one is on the top of the list. I retired about a year ago and got into my carving big time, I finally got the confidence to try to carve it. read more

Love of my Life

Thank You God for the Love of My Life.
You gave me 45 years as his wife.
You gave us 5 children to raise in Your Name
And 17 grand kids who will be raise just the same
Semper Fi
Faith Hopkins

China Marine Scuttlebutt

Sgt. Grit,

I reviewed your web pages yesterday and discovered your Scuttlebutt page which I was delighted to find and read. From November 1945 to late August 1946 I was stationed in Tsingtao, China at the airfield with E-2-22 6th Division. Noticed that your Scuttlebutt does not have much info on China Marines although you are the official supplier for our paraphernalia. read more