Maybe three years after having been honorably discharged from the Marines as an E-5 in San Diego, I was attending a 4th of July parade in Pittsburgh's three rivers area. My hair had grown out a bit and I was wearing cut off shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt. I was flanked on either side by my two young children, 3 & 5 years old. As the parade approached, it was lead by a limo carrying a Marine full bird colonel in dress blues right behind the color guard detail. I had been sitting on the curb dishing out cotton candy to my kids and waiting for the parade to begin. As the colors approached, without hesitation or conscious thought, I stood to attention. You, that are Marines, will know the posture without explanation… With hair on my shoulders, tattered shorts and shirt… and thumbs on my seams, I'm sure I appeared to have anything but military bearing. Much to my surprise, and pride, the Colonel standing in the back seat of the open limo, recognizing the posture, pivoted precisely on his heals, faced me and popped a perfect salute.
Category: Events and Memorials
2013 Division 2 Young Marine of the Year
Dakota Richter, 16 of the Northern KY unit, has been selected as Division 2 Young Marine of the Year (Division 2 encompasses KY, WV, VA, DE, MD and D.C.) Division YMOY earns scholarship money, a trip to Guam and Iwo Jima with the National Executive Director, WWII Veterans and the other 5 Division YMoYs, plus a trip to the Adult Leaders Conference in Reno (May 2013) to compete against the other 5 Division YMoYs for selection of National YM of the Year. Selection is based on their YM career, academic standing, achievements both in and out of YMs, and a “What Being Young Marine of the Year Would Mean to Me” essay. National YM of the Year earns another scholarship and the privilege of traveling to visit other YM units.
Clan Leatherneck
Dear Sgt. Grit:
In reference to your recent Newsletters concerning the Leatherneck
tartan, I would like you to know that "Clan Leatherneck" has been
alive since 1998. We have participated in all the local Highland
Games since that time.
Clapped For The Jarheads
Sgt Grit and Sgt Williams,
Please see the photos of the delivery of the items you donated to
the Baltimore Station on 12/19/2012. It was a huge success! The
items were met with smiling faces and plenty of "OOOHHH-RAHHH'S"
and then the grizzled ole Gunny (in the wheel-chair) quietly
said, "Marines take care of Marines."
Darling Daughters At The Finish
I saw the picture Chuck Wanamaker sent of his kids at the Marine
Corps Marathon and thought I'd brag a bit myself. Here's a
picture of two darling daughters at the finish!
Fred Vogel
Proud Dad
Sgt Grit,
Here are my son, daughter, and me at the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon. It
was her forth and his third. I am a very proud Dad.
By the way, we always called it hitting the rack and junk on the bunk.
Semper Fi,
Sgt Chuck Wanamaker
1960 – 1966
Last Patrol
Sgt. Grit,
I am wearing my 70th birthday gifts purchased from your catalog (Corpsman Cover and polo shirt). The picture is of me standing on the seawall overlooking Clearwater Bay in Clearwater, FL. The event was Veterans Day tribute 2012, held at Coachman Park along the bay and under the Oak trees. The weather was perfect, partly cloudy, a slight breeze with the gulf water lapping the seawall ever so gently.
MCRD San Diego
In the photo are MCRD Commanding General, Gen Daniel Yoo, Christoper Edwards, and the CG's Aide. Christopher is the young man that began the Huddle Up for Heroes organization that sends care packages and Hero Bands to all deployed troops.
On 1 Nov 2012, Christopher and his mother Denise were at the Sgt Grit headquarters and where they received donations and were given some Sgt Grit t-shirts. The t-shirt that Christoper is wearing in the photo is one of the shirts that is available at Sgt Grit.
My Wall of Honor
I made this wall of honor in our home to honor all those who have served in all branches, my fiance 20 yr retired Marine, my son who served in the Army for 4 yrs active, 2 tours in Iraq and now National Guard. My 19 yr old cousin KIA Iraq in 2003, a childhood friend KIA Army Spec Forces, South America 1983, my son's friend from Ft. Hood killed in an accident after they returned from Iraq. It's a way for me and those who come to my home to always remember the sacrifice the men and women make to serve our country.
CG MCRD PISC 188th Birthday Message & Mess Hall Menu
I was the Aide for the period 1963-1964 to MGen Ray Murray during his tour as CG, MCRD, PISC. The recruits celebrated the 188th Birthday in 1963 on Saturday, 9 November. I assume it was because the birthday fell on Sunday.
Have attached a copy of Gen. Murray's birthday message.