Sgt Grit is a place where Marines can come and meet other Marines, share tattoos and stories, keep up with Marine Corps news, or shop for USMC gear.
Yesterday we were parents
We were called mom and dad
I sat and watched the news today
How times over there turned bad
A fear welled up inside me
A chill ran down my spine
The USS Cole was bombed
And she held a son of mine
Fear ripped through my heart
As I searched for any news
Part of me not wanting to know
Part needing to know the truth
Veterans are easy to recognize
By their special swagger
And their shattered eyes
By the way they stand so tall
When the flag is raised
And how they bow their head
When the Lord is praised.
They may have clabbered voices
And brown and mottled skin
A missing arm or leg or eye
But you can see the youth within.
What horrors did they see
What hell did they endure
To keep my flag and liberty secure?
What would our nation be like
Without veteranssuch as these?
Let us remember each of them
When we bow our knees
And may we give all reverence due
To the brave men and women
Who defend the Red, White and Blue.
I wrote this poem, to thank you for?
Each day we have, much like before.
You’re on our minds both day and night?
And we support you in this fight!
Your sacrifices aren’t in vain ?
And many of us know your pain!
Because of you, our freedom’s strong?
But there are some who get it wrong!
I had a man come up to me
He ask me why I wore a hat in such a manner as I did
With patches and pins that clearly read Veteran United States Marine
I turned and proudly answered, well my friend it goes like this
I wear this hat not just for me
Although I certainly earned the right to bear the title of the United States Marines
No, I wear it for the veterans who served long before both you and me
Both on and off the battle fields offering their greatest sacrifice, again for you and me
I wear it for all who serve today both in the air, on the land and on the sea
I wear it as a reminder for all those who stand around and next to me
Of the blanket of freedom and security
These veterans afford us every day and every night we go to sleep
But most of all I wear in my fathers memory
Who valiantly served the 1st Marines fighting in Korea
Who when I volunteered and joined the Marines
Was so very proud me
I wear it in honor of my mother who endured the tears and sleepless nights
Waiting for her loved ones to call alone, homesick and filled with fright
You see my family has quite a military past
My Father and I in the 1st Marines
My brother in the US Navy
My Brother in-law retiring from the US Coast Guard
And now my Niece is in the Marine Corps and married to a Marine
Now with so much corruption and disregard for basic human rights
You might be comforted in knowing we who wear these hats
Still believe and are ready, able and willing to fight
For God, Country and decency
And for this I wear my hat so proudly
As the conscience and the heart of a person who will never forget
God Bless the USA and all its US military Vets
And Semper Fi to all my brother Marines
Each year when Christmas comes around again,
I pause on Christmas Eve to take a dram
Of whisky, and I think of absent friends,
And Christmas in a place called Vietnam.
I think of boys who never had the chance
To see their kids on Christmas Eve at play,
Their lives were spent that freedom might advance,
From Valley Forge right up through yesterday.
VIETNAM 1968
You walk along the sidewalk here,
and see the bunkers lying near;
the sight you see is somewhat stunning,
and then you hear feet a-running;
as someone yells “INCOMING”.
Some land near, some far away,
it happens anytime, night or day;
the raucous roar of rounds that burst,
always seems closer than the first;
although you pray against the worst.
Good Friday morning to you and all Marines and their families everywhere. Our Marine, L CPL Daniell — is still in Iraq, finishing the fight to keep those elections on course. Praying for all involved to be safe and to be effective in the fight. We continue to be oh, so proud of our Marine. He sounds so tired on the phone; doesn’t want a party when he gets home, doesn’t want to answer a lot of questions and talk about his experiences there. He’s lost dear friends and had others terribly wounded. It’s taken its toll; I just want my son home to rest and to get the sleep he’s missed these last 6 months. I got a wonderful email a while ago, written by a Marine, Sgt. I think. In it he talked about how well our Marines and other service people are being treated, in this war and then in the first Gulf War. He stated that was due to the fact that this nation learned it’s lesson by the treatment of our brave Vietnam veterans. They were shamefully treated, and that’s the God’s honest truth. I work at the state employment office in Martinsburg, WV and I’ve seen first hand these last 15 1/2 yrs. the effects of the cost of their service. Shameful still doesn’t cover it. We had an event in Nov. to honor veterans. I spoke with 2 gentleman, who I figured were VIetnam vets and told them about my son. I thanked them for their service and I man said “I’ve waited 30 yrs. to hear that” Of course, then I had to hug him and try not to cry. God bless ’em, each and everyone for all they did and may He heal the hurt and pain they feel. The Lord gave me some words to that effect. With your kind permission, will list them here:
Sgt. Grit—
My brother, S/Sgt USMC James Dessert, sent me this poem. Jim lives in the Rocky Hill, CT VA home where his friend, S/Sgt USMC Thomas Schick was living until his recent death. Jim tells me that S?Sgt Schick completed three tours of duty in Viet Nam 1966-67-68-69 and fought in the battle of Ka-San 1968.
I sit and try not to cry
It's my brother thats there to fight.
He protects me and my rights
thats why he fights.
You protest not to go to war
Thats what he fights for.
He wakes not knowing if he'll live
but his life he is willing to give.
Its our flag my brother stands for
Thats why he went to war.
For us to excerise our rights
Thats why my brother fights.
My brother is there to fight
Think of that next time your excercise your rights.
People say that we don't need it.
They say that there are other ways that we can solve conflicts in the world.
Freedom isn't free.
Freedom can not come without sacrifice.
Freedom can not come without putting an end to the source of the problem.
As long as there is fear in the world or anything that would cause someone to not have freedom of speech, religion, democracy, or any other freedom, then there has to be sacrifice!
I will give my life against anyone who opposes the thought of taking those freedoms from any man, woman or child.
War should not be used to murder.
War is not murder.
War is a tool used to solve world problems or conflicts.
The times of conquering the world are in the past.
War will not be used in that way, only to solve.
People say that now there is the fear of the nuclear power of countries.
There should be no need for nuclear.
There should be peace.
No peace without sacrifice!
Treaties get broken.
Promises don't get kept.
Deals get worked around.
There is only one way to solve the problem of no peace.
Humans shouldn't live in fear.
Humans should not be enslaved.
Humans should be free!
War is the way!
Inflict the fear of your country into every intolerant around the world.
Let them know that if they plan on ruling by fear and murder, that they are greatly mistaken!
I myself will do everything in my power to make sure that every single place the Marine Corps. takes me is free and without fear!
If my blood shall be shed in order for that to happen, I hope they take every last drop!
Freedom is not Free!
There is no Peace without Sacrifice!