Category: In Memory

Guarding Heaven’s Gate

Sgt Grit,

In March 2011, another Marine was promoted to guarding heaven's gates.  After a year-long battle with brain cancer, Lance Corporal Tom Nelson is dancing with his Lord Jesus Christ. 

Tom joined the Marines in 1968 and served until 1970 as a Combat Engineer for A Company, 9th Engineer Battalion, First Marine Division in Viet Nam.  He served in Viet Nam from 1969-1970.  He was awarded two purple hearts, combat action ribbon, good conduct medal and various other awards.  He served his country at 110%.  His family in central Indiana will always love and remember him with his dedication to his country and his Lord.  Semper Fi read more

The Ballad of Ira Hayes

Most Marines know “The Ballad of Ira Hayes,” written by folk singer Peter La Farge. It tells the story of Ira Hayes, who was one of five Marines and a Navy corpsman who became famous for having raised the flag Feb. 23, 1945, over Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The song has been recorded many times, but by far, the most popular version is by the late Johnny Cash (video below), recorded in 1965. read more

Memorial Honor Detail

Sgt. Grit, I'm sending along a photo of our unit, Semper Fi #1. We render military honors at Riverside National Cemetery 2 times a month here in Southern  California. We have about 60 active members. We have 2 Marines who served at the Frozen Chosin, Marines who served in Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, and the cold war. We consider it an honor to be able to wear the uniform again, and to provide military honors to the veterans who are being interned at Riverside National Cemetery. We bleed Marine green. Our website is  www.againtheyserve.org and are always looking for new recruits to join us.   SEMPER  FI. Steve  Fisher Former SGT. of  Marines  1ST Recon   Nam  68-69

Last Chaplain on Iwo Jima Dies

In the bloodiest days of Iwo Jima , he spoke the last words over  fallen Marines and Navy corpsmen as they were buried in the  island’s black sand. On 20 May 2010, Marines, sailors and  soldiers returned the favor to the late Rev. E. Gage  Hotaling of Agawam MA, sending the old  Navy chaplain on to join his comrades with military  honors. read more

Honoring Fallen Marines

Dear Sirs:   My son is Corporal Bossier, Jonathan A., who is presently stationed at Camp Pendleton.  Last year he was deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan with the 1st MLG at Camp Leather Neck.  To show him and his unit support, about 40 of us men from Pointe Coupee Parish, who meet regularly for breakfast every Friday morning, many of whom are former active Marines, decided to obtain a Marine Corps flag and have our names embroidered on it and ship it to my son.  He flew the flag at Camp Leather Neck from about May, 2010 until October, 2010, when his unit returned to the States.  I have attached a picture of the flag and my son which was taken at the presentation ceremony held in New Roads, Louisiana, in December, 2010.  The flag will be on permanent display in the Pointe Coupee Courthouse in New Roads.  Along with the flag, will be a the list of the names of the 81 Marines who gave the last full measure during the period between May, 5, 2010 and October 6, 2010, which was the time period that the flag was flown in Afghanistan.  The inscription above the names will read, “To demonstrate their prayerful support and faith in the 1st Marine Logistics Group Forward, Landing Support Detachment United States Marine Corps, destine for Afghanistan, the flag signatories, all from Pointe Coupee Parish, State of Louisiana, had this flag made and shipped to them in May, 2010.  While flying over Camp Leather Neck in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, this flag witnessed the ultimate sacrifice paid by eighty-one brave Marines for the cause of Freedom.  This flag serves as a memorial to them.”  The pictures don’t show it, but the flag has a few holes caused by the conditions under which it was flown.   I sent this so that your readers would know that there are still some people that support our men and women of the armed services, especially the Marines.   Sincerely,   Larry S. Bossier

SSgt Tibor Torok

Sgt. Grit

One of the finest men I’ve known and ever worked with.

Torok, Tibor 89, of Dania Beach, FL, formerly of Grand Prairie, TX, passed away surrounded by family on October 28, 2010.
A retired Marine, Tibor served in WWII-including combat on Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima-plus Korea and Southeast Asia.
A memorial service was held Monday, Nov. 1st, at Landmark Funeral Home, Hollywood, FL.
Burial will be with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. read more

Another Iwo Jima Marine Answers Final Roll Call

Sgt. Grit,

My father, Cpl. Jose A. Dominguez, 876815, passed from this life on 11 December in Downey, CA.  As a 19-year old he landed with F/2/26/5th MarDiv on Iwo Jima 19 February 1945.  He fought through to the push to secure the final third of the island and was wounded 14 March 1945 by shrapnel from two mortar rounds.  He was evacuated from the island and spent the next several months in hospitals in Hawaii, Oakland, CA, and San Diego, CA.  He was honorably discharged on 5 November 1945. read more

RIP SSGT Gene S. Richards

Several months ago you ran a picture of my dad in Sasebo Japan and one of myself in Desert Storm in Sgt. Grit. I have attached that picture again.

My dad Gene S. Richards passed away Sunday May 9th in Salt Lake City Utah. He was an Iwo Jima Marine and watched the second flag go up, participated in the occupation of Japan and was a drill instructor after the war at MCRD San Diego. In Nov. 1940 half of his bootcamp platoon would later go to Wake Island. read more

Allen Dale June Code Talker

Sgt. Sgt Dale was temporarily in The Cheyenne VA hospital last year and early this year. While he was there I had an opportunity to visit with him. He had reverted to his native Navajo language, but he did say a few words in English.

We first met outdoors. I saw him being pushed in a wheel chair. i saw his red hat with Marines and Code talker on it. I immediately squatted down where he could see my Marine hat, and when he did, he sat up straighter and smiled and saluted! No doubt he was proud to be one of us. Next day at VFW breakfast I just happened to sit with Virginia and his grandson. She gave me two of his autographed business cards. So these will definitely become a keepsake! read more