Category: Iraq

Another Proud Grandma!

Just had to send in a couple pictures of my Grandson because I am so proud of him along with all the other Marine Grandma?s. Once your Grandson is in the Marines your life completely changes and you are part of a wonderful family of Marines. It is wonderful to be able to proudly wave the American Flag and also have a banner on my porch telling everyone he is a Marine and it will stay there until he comes home. The flag will be there forever and I am so proud of him and all the other fine young men and women who are courageous enough to stand for what our Country was founded upon. He is a tribute to the Marine Corp and once you are part of this wonderful Marine family you will also share in the great heritage of our country. He was stationed in San Diego for Boot Camp. He is a part of 3/1 India Company, Wpns. Plt. read more

Patch

I proudly served with the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit in Beriut in 1983. Those brave Marines that didn’t return will not be forgotten! My nephew is in the Navy Reserves and is currently in Iraq. He wanted something from me to take with him and promised to return it to me. This is a photo he sent me last night, you can just imagine the pride I felt seeing them holding my patch! My nephew Dan met the Gunny! read more

Newer story

In response to the requests for some more recent stories, here’s one from my first deployment back in 2005. At the time I was with A Btry 1/11, and we were tasked as a provisional line company in far western Iraq. Around late Jan-early Feb (rainy season) my squad was on the QRF rotation, and got the call to pull the resident MTT team out of the mud. They were stuck pretty good, but our mechanic was better, and we had them out in no time. On our way back we got the call to turn around, they were stuck again. This repeated itself 6 times. It got so we would just tail them in our 7-ton and place bets on how soon the officers would get stuck again. It was great fun, especially since both myself and Cpl Carter “Super Mech” were country boys from Oregon. Our luck ran out though, because when the brass finally decided to give up trying to get to Saudi, they thought it would be a good idea to test out their fording kit. With a MAK-armored low-back through a lake (this is no-shit). Their excuse: “well Cpl there’s a road going into it so we’ll be fine.” Roger that sir. So when they drove off the road in the middle of the lake and had to swim out…we had to go get ’em. Problem was that meant WE had to drive into the lake, and sure enough we found a hole. It took all the chain in the FOB and a few hours to get that sucker out. My deserts are still stained from that water. Oorah. read more

4th Platoon 2nd FAST, MCSFCO. Keflavik

Sgt Grit,

As my promise to complete my mission of finding my unit logos, I scanned them and have them ready for you to look at. Also, I included some other pictures that may interest you about Operation Determined Response, in Aden, Yemen on 12OCT2000. As a fellow Marine for life, I thought it would be nice for you to see that we treated the remains of the sailors with full honors as we brought them from ship to shore. I left out many photos, but included a couple that you could appreciate. Included as promised: Logos of FAST COMPANY, 2nd FAST COMPANY, MCSFCO Keflavik, and a USS COLE ships coin given to me from the Command Master Chief. I hope this helps you as well as me. Thanks for your time and SEMPER FI! read more

Desert Library

Dear Friends,

It has been 4 months since I arrived into country and began my first deployment in Iraq. Over the past four months I have encountered things I never thought I would, and experienced feelings I didn’t think I had. With all of this happening there have many people who have stood by my side, and whom I am very proud and thankful for. Everyone receiving this email falls into that category. read more

Bulletin Board

Hey!

Thanks!

I’m home till the 29th; I appreciate you folks getting the gear to us!

Please say ‘hi’ to all the Sgt. Grit folks there for me. I can’t express enough gratitude in regard to the bulletin board you have; https://www.grunt.com/usmc-web/aboutforum.asp I’ve met Marines as a result that I wouldn’t have otherwise. At least not here in the ‘world’. read more

Thank God For Body Armor!

“Body Armor” AIF Shooting at Snake 3 and Saber 3 (Edited version for CG briefing 04JUL05)

My Husband In Kuwait

This is a picture of my hubby, CDR James Armstrong (OIC Camp Beuhring MEF) in his office in Kuwait…once a Marine….

Vehicle Photo

Here is a photo of what’s left of my vehicle I was in that got blown up.

Message for Jane Fonda

MS FONDA
WE’RE HOLDING
YOUR REGULAR
SEAT IN TIKRIT