Category: Other USMC

My Houtch

Sergeant Grit,

I am an old Nam Vet myself. I retired after 30 years as a Master Sergeant. I have purchased so many items from you over the past few years. My wife is used to seeing a package about twice a week from you. I have attached just a few of the flicks of my Houtch and my front Hatch. I know you will appreciate my taste in decorating my quarters. The flicks are a little fuzzy as my hands aren't as steady as they used to be when I shot Expert with the M14. One flick is my Rack another shows flicks of General Amos and SMMC Barrett. These were autographed along with their challenge coins. The other shows the large metal Emblem and Chevrons that you provided. The last one shows Gunnery Sergeant Ermey shouting out orders for PT. All your gear has made this old Marine Happy. read more

Declaration of Desertion

Dear Sgt. Grit,

Saw the story about the lad who was arrested for "being AWOL at Sea…" Marines can and do fall between the cracks.

I had graduated from MCRD in August of 1968, but a paperwork snarl kept me at Graduate Casual for three months instead of going onto ITR immediately. First thing the following morning a Corporal approached me at 3rd Bn. HQ and advised me that I was on the morningreport as UA… read more

5 Lous

Grit,

Attached is a picture of the 1/1 81's forward observer radio operatort re-couping at Phu Bai after TET. The world famous 5 Lou's, from left to right:

Mark Anderson – AKA "Big Lou" – Chicago.
Bruce Coe – AKA "Lou" – Elmirya, NY (Deceased).
Ron Meyers – AKA "Little Lou", AKA "Superman".
Bill Guntor – AKA "Medium Lou", AKA "The Derilict" – Central Mass.
Tom Waltz – AKA "Squog", AKA "Lou" – NH. read more

Have A Nice Flight

Was commuting from CA, (2004) and still working whilst building the retirement home… got to Nashville every couple weeks to check on progress, make decisions (colors, etc.), all the things involved with the general contractor… got on the internet one night with the laptop at the motel, was sure I had changed my airline reservation by one day… got to the airport, went to check in, and the CSR advised that my res was for the day before, and the plane was full, and basically, I was scr-wed… (feeder airline for United). The Station Manager happened by, must've noted my cover, wanted to know what the problem was? A few keyboard clicks later, he had created a seat on a full flight for me… and told me he was never a Marine, but was a Master Guns' dependent… and pointing to the flag hung in the ticket gallery, said "that flag's up there because of guys like my Dad and you… have a nice flight!" True story… I hope some poor travelling salesman didn't get bumped… but wasn't going to ask… read more

Private First Class Vincent Smejkal

For Father's Day I received this picture from my son. He is stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Currently he is training in the martial arts and mentions that if something happens to his weapon he has to be able to take out the enemy with his bare hands. read more

Better Than Nothing

Sgt. Grit,

My compliments to you & your folks on your great Newsletter & the quality gear I've purchased from your catalog.

Also, one of the things that Ddick mentioned. C-Rat butts, old but better than nothing, they'll choke you to death until you get used to them, if ever. I had the "luxury" of smoking many in the (2) tours I was over there. For the Sgt's information, the Lucky Strike's did have a green ring & also on the Camel packs, the camel only had one hump, not two, like on the "newer" packs. If you'll check out the attachment included with this e-mail, you'll see what I mean. read more

Civil War Marine

Camp 22, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War had a brief Memorial Day Ceremony at the GAR plot, Old City Cemetery Sacramento, Calif. It was decided that the stones were in dire need of cleaning, so the following Saturday was spent cleaning the headstones. As I scrubbed away the mold, one revealed the inscription U.S. Marine Corps. What a surprise, a Civil War Marine. read more

No Painkiller

While a hard-charging L/Cpl at Marine Barracks, San Francisco Naval Shipyard (Hunter's Point) in 1963, I had to pass up our usual Friday noon chow, which was a choice between rib-eye steak or lobster tails. (Kudos here to SSgt Floyd Cook, our Mess NCO, who always delivered the very best chow to the 76 Marines at the Barracks). read more

Bumper Stickers From My Era

Looking through your closeout items I was glad to see a couple of bumper stickers from my era. The Cold War (1955 – 1959). Thank you.

I was p-ssed when I:

1. Got demoted from Sgt to Cpl (rate change structure).
2. Didn't receive a Fire Watch ribbon (National Defense).
3. Can't join the American Legion (on my own merit). read more