Category: Marine Families

Chandler OK couple

Chandler, OK couple may have made Marine Corps History.   "Who bosses who?" is the question a lot of people ask this young couple who just graduated from boot camp with honors.    In early 2010, Jared Blackwell was talking to his wife Stephanie (married July, 08) about joining the Marine Corps. Jared had always talked about joining the military and shared with Stephanie that he wanted a challenging career with variety that would be productive and told her that he was worried his future in the pipeline business wasn't stable enough. Stephanie was pursuing a degree in physical education from the University of Central Oklahoma, and told Jared she was also unsure about opportunities that would be available to her after graduation.   Meanwhile, to make a long story short, after Jared talked to a recruiter and decided to join the Corps, it didn't take Stephanie long to decide that she was going to join also. Since all women recruits go through boot camp at Parris Island, and Oklahoma males typically to through boot camp at San Diego, Jared was granted a waiver, and on May 10, 2010, they both shipped out for recruit training at Parris Island.   The couple began training; drill, classes, physical training, with all the fun and games that makes Marine Corps boot camp what it is, simply put, the toughest training in the world. During this time, the male and female recruits were allowed no contact. Undergoing the same training made them cross paths a few times per week, but no communication was allowed and they were only able to glance at each other.   On Aug. 6, 2010 the Blackwells graduated from boot camp, possibly making Marine Corps history by being the first married couple to finish boot camp as honor graduates in the same training cycle. Command at Parris Island does not keep records, but said in their opinion, this was the first time this had happened. Any of you old or young Marines out there know of this happening before?    Jared was his platoon honor graduate, and received a promotion to Private First Class, meanwhile Stephanie was her platoon and company honor graduate, and due to her college hours had been promised a promotion to Private First Class after boot camp, but instead was promoted to Lance Corporal. In response to the question, who bosses who? Jared confidently said, she things she is in charge. Stephanie replied, I am in charge!   After infantry training at Camp Lejeune, Stephanie received orders to attend the Defense Language Institute at Monterey, CA, for a course that will last a year and one half. Jared is currently in the Naval Hospital at Balboa, rehabbing from a hip and wrist injury sustained in an accident at Camp Pendleton, and looking forward to rejoining his unit.

Marines do not lie down

Sgt. Grit,  In your  14 April 2011 Web Site Shows was a Cake Topper with Marines Down. Marines Do Not lie down for a Marriage or much else either.  A Cake Topper like this is Degrading to the Marines and to the Wives and to the Institute of Marriage. I was married in 1947 and my wife of 64 Years still stands at my side, I think she was as much Marine as I. She raised five Children while I was either overseas or in a War. Also, Inclosed  is a pictture I carried with me through all those years unitl I retired After 26 Years Marine Corps and 20 years in Business with my Son, serving the Movie/YV Industry as Military Tech and Weapons Tech. , My Swan Song was "Navy Seals". Lets not let any one, Any One, Degrade our Marine Corps or our Marines with Cake Toppers like that. GySgt F. L. Rousseau, USMC Ret.

For me and Mom

Dear Sgt Grit,   My husband served in the United States Marine Corps prior to our meeting and marrying.  In January of 2009 our son graduated at MCRD San Diego.  When April rolled around he and his new bride moved from our home in Washington State to Camp Pendleton.  With them both being only just 18 it was hard to say goodbye!      In August of 2009 my husband’s stepfather began serving at Heaven’s Gates.  We had one more Christmas with our son and his wife that year then it was 11 months before we were able to see them again.  My heart ached for my son’s presence; my wonderful mother-in-love was dealing with the loss of her spouse.     On day I gathered my pitiful little heart up and screwed up my backbone and said to myself “I am the wife and mother of Marines!  I will improvise, I will adapt, I will overcome!”  Later I spoke to my husband’s sweet mom and she was down in the dumps.  Not the kind to be coddled or fussed over, I reminded her that she could do this.   I decided to make a half-sheet moto placard for myself and make the other half for her.  Since she lives several states away, I mailed hers.  She called me right after she got it, sobbing.  She said she’d had to pull over on the way home from the post office and have a good cry, but that this placard was THE best thing because she needed to hear it.  That’s the kind of woman she is and during her grief she’d forgotten it.     My copy is on the wall next to my computer where I spend a lot of time.  When I miss him and feel low I remember that I married a Marine and I raised one and that I have the ability, with God’s help, to improvise, to adapt and to overcome—it is my choice.   Please find the placard attached, perhaps you can crop it appropriately and publish it—there may be another wife/mother/grandmother that might need to make herself one!   All the best!   Harriet Cook    Very Proud Wife and Mother of United States Marines!

Twin Brother

SGT. GRIT GREETING

I am from CORPUS CHRISTI,TEXAS  My twin brother & I joined the
CORPS together soon the 120 day delay BUDDY program & left for
boot camp ONE DAY after graduation on JUNE 6th 1967.

AFTER BOOT-CAMP & ITR. We both got orders for O.C.S. (over the
choppy seas ) VIET-NAM. ha  I went to SNIPER SCHOOL & my twin
WENT to RECON.I volunteered to go to NAM first, and my brother
would go when & if I got back. I convinced him the best thing
for him was to try and get out of the Corps get back home to
take CARE OF OUR mother who was IN NEED of SURGERY. she COULD NO
LONGER work, did not know how to DRIVE, did not know a word of
ENGLISH.  She was a PRISONER in her own house.  My brother
REYNALDO finally got out on DECEMBER 1967. read more

Father and son – Platoon 2006

I joined the Marine Corps because of my father, Walt Chingo. He is a Marine, and I saw the pride he had in being a Marine, and I decided I wanted to share that pride with him. My father was a Grunt in Force Troops Fleet Marine Force from 1968 – 1970, and served in Vietnam 1969 – 1970. I was a Heavy Equipment Operator in the reserves, 6th Engineer Support Battalion from 1999 – 2005, and served two tours in Iraq – the initial push in 2003 and then again 2004 – 2005.    But the greatest thing in this Father-Son Marine Corps story is the fact that we graduated from the same platoon in boot camp. My father graduated from platoon 2066 in 1968 and I graduated from platoon 2066 in 1999. What are the odds in a father and son graduating from the exact same platoon 31 years apart?   A higher power certainly saw fit to fate us to being a part of something special together in a very special way, and for that I am eternally grateful.   Semper Fi,   Travis Chingo

Father and daughter Marine of the Year 2010.

Hi my name is  Meghan Layman, I am from Walkersville MD.I just wonted to share this with you all, my Father and I both made Marine of the year for  2010 Shangri-La Detachment in Frederick MD. My Father served in Vietnam1967-1968 Charley 1, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine division . He is always  on the look out for the Marines he served with if anyone out there remembers my Father send me an e-mail megoorah2005[at]yahoo[dot]com he would to reunite with you. He graduated from good old PI on Dec 15,1966 Plt 211. He is by fair the best Marine i know  i have always looked up to him and done my best to make him proud i think becoming a Marine Has done the job Semper Fi Meghan. P.S. the photo with are covers on is before the Birthday ball began, The one with are Marine of the year award and no covers is the aftermath of the Ball OORAH. read more

Something to share

This is a photo of SSGT Eveartt O. Givens and his granddaughter Cheyenne Harrison. The high school here in Perry Okla. had a tribute to the military for veteran's day 2009. Unknown to him she found a marine uniform and totally keeping quite about the tribute she surprised her grandpa. I think you can tell from this photo he was surprised and proud of his oldest grandchild She made sure everything was just right not a hair out of place or a shoe unpolished. She made her grandpa proud that day. This year on January 31,2011 we laid this proud marine to rest. He leaves us with heavy hearts but knowing that this marine was promoted to guard the gates of heaven.( We all had this t-shirt on at the family receving friends night.) The traditions continues with several of his nephew's becoming marines. You are missed and loved more than you ever knew. read more

Celebrating National Freedom Day

TODAY IS NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY.  PLEASE JOIN US IN CELEBRATING OUR FREEDOM AND NEVER TAKE IT FOR GRANTED AGAIN.

TODAY IS ALSO A VERY IMPORTANT DAY FOR OUR FAMILY.  TODAY AT 11 AM. CALIFORNIA TIME, 2 PM. HERE IN OHIO, MY MARINE SON GETS PROMOTED TO GUNNERY SGT AT 29 PALMS, CA.  I AM THERE IN LOVE AND SPIRIT.  JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING GUNNERY SGT. GREGORY A. DAGUE AT gdague1[at]yahoo[dot]com read more