Category: Art

Old Amtrac Patches

the patches look like they may be LVT-H6, but being an old LVT mechanic, I would say that the patch is that of the LVTP5A1 and the weapon is the turret mounted 30 Cal air cooled machine gun.  I have a similar patch for the LVTP7 that was given to me by the Royal Thai Marine Corps' Amtrac Bn when I was an instructor teaching a maintenance course in 1981. read more

Why a Screaming/Yelling Skull?

Thanks for all of the complements regarding my new finished tattoo! Some might not understand why I would get a tattoo. To assist them in understanding I would love to point out a few small details about my tattoo. Why a “Screaming/Yelling Skull?” One might say it represents death…they would be correct, I have had 12 Marines that I consider my brothers die for my country, this is for them…and thousands of others…The “Combat Vehicle Crewman Helmet (CVC),” is a helmet all Trackers wear while operating an Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV), which I used for ten years. The “Sun Dust Wind Goggles,” were issued to Trackers to protect our eyes from debris while operating our 26 ton AAVs,… in the reflection of the goggles is a skyline that is meant to represent Bagdad, Iraq…hopefully this is self explanatory,…Next is the M-16A2 Service Rifle, this was my issued weapon, I was very fluent with it and “She” was there with me through thick and thin, it also represents how Marines are warriors, qualifying at 200, 300, and 500 yards with iron sights, not to mention the conflicts this weapon has been successfully engaged in,…Next, The Marine Corps 1858 Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) Calvary Sword is the only sword still carried by enlisted personnel to this very day (Marine Corps Only), even though this is a weapon, today it is mainly used in formal Ceremonies like the Marine Corps Balls and Funerals, it was originally authorized to NCOs in recognition of leadership in combat, their virtue and tradition…once again honoring the fallen, it is also part of the most recognized uniform in the world the Marine Corps Dress Blue Uniform…The lettering USMC, is an acronym that needs no explanation,…The side lettering “YAT-YAS” is every Trackers motto, it’s an acronym for “You Ain’t Tracks-You Ain’t Sh-t,”…and yes “AIN’T” is a real word look it up in Webster’s  Dictionary…next is “1833,” this is the AAV crewman Military Occupational Specialty designation number, 1833 is an Amphibious Assault Crewman, this is a combat MOS, so sorry ladies it’s a no go for you…Next why is the lettering so tattered and cracked? I did this to show Marines have been fighting for my country for over 236 years, we might be battered and bruised but we have stood the test of time,… read more

Why I Fight

Why I Fight

One day as I was coming home to visit my family after my last deployment, I Decided to stop at a locale restaurant to eat. When I walked into the restaurant I was still in my Marine dress uniform.  The hostess looked at me.  She was going to move me in front of the line of waiting people, so I said to her “ No Ma’am, I can wait.  No need for me to go first.”  As the line went down I finally got to sit and order my food. When I was waiting for my food to come out the people that were leaving came up to me and said, “ Thank you”.  So, after an hour I finish my food and paid and was walking back to my rental car when this young mother with four kids came up to me and asked, “Son why do you fight”?  I then looked at her and said, “Well Ma’am, I am a US Marine.  I have stormed beaches and freed countries.  I have defended the weak and defeated the strong. I have been courageous and have shown compassion. I have raised our flag and raised our hope. Some call me Leatherneck, My Enemy’s call me Devil Dog.  But you can call me a Marine.  It’s not the money, the glory, the women or to kill that I fight, but it’s for my brothers and sisters in arms and for you. I fight for you and I’ll do it again too.  To protect you is my honor so that’s why I fight.  But now may I ask you, “ What can you do to help?  Please support our military”!     read more

A Very Special Gift

 I am a nursing student and part time jeweler, and the daughter of a Vietnam vet (US Army), and the granddaughter of one WWII vet (US Army) and one WWII/Korean War vet (US Navy). My boyfriend Cpl. Carl Cochrane served our country from 2003-2007 as a United States Marine (3rd Marine Airwing Service & Support Battalion, Military Police detachment – they provided EOD security in Iraq). On Nov. 30, 2005 he was severely injured outside Fallujah when a bomber crashed his truck into the humvee Carl was the turret gunner in. He was thrown from the humvee and hurt very badly. He lost most of the use of his left arm due to shattered bones and severed/damaged nerves, broke his leg, and had a severe head injury and now has a plate replacing almost half his skull. Two others in the vehicle were injured as well, and one was killed. Unfortunately, none of the men who were wounded were awarded Purple Hearts. Carl appealed this later and was told "No." To me it seemed like a very important thing for them to have, and I was outraged that he and the others injured didn't get one. I decided that if his government wouldn't give him what he deserved, then as a jeweler I could and would, so I set out working with a talented jeweler friend at work (I work for a major jeweler supply company) to design a very special Purple Heart just for Carl. It looks the same as the real medal, except instead of George Washington it has the USMC eagle globe and anchor. My friend at work did a wonderful job creating a CAD design and milling a wax model for me, and then I made molds and created the medal in bronze. I filled it with colored epoxy resins and had an absolutely beautiful piece to give to Carl on Valentine's Day this year. He was very, very touched by it and it meant the world to him, and to me to be able to give him that validation for what happened to him. I thought I would share this story with you along with some photos of the medal I made for my beloved Marine. 
Semper Fidelis,
Jaimie Verlander
Albuquerque, NM
 

Support for Our Troops

Sgt.Grit,    I wanted to show support for our troops so I rounded up some millitary and patriotic gnomes representing all branches of the service and put them in my yard.I then found some plywood and made the black shadows.   I have received a lot of nice comments but there is always room for inprovement.   Semper Fi, Larry Fisher Cpl. 1962-66