Aubrey Headon, age 14 from Rochelle, Illinois stopped in to visit us here in OKC while attending the Endeavor Games. She is in the preparatory events for the Paraolympic team. She holds the world record for the long jump and is on her way to London next for more events. Aubrey loves the Marine Corps! Her grandfather, SSgt Lyle Headon of 1st Amtracks '64-'68 inspired this love in her. She eats, sleeps and breathes the Corps and has since about age 3. She wears Marine Corps anything she can get her hands on. Aubrey ran on 7 June 2014 at the games in honor of LCpl Alec E. Catherwood, KIA from Darkhorse 3/5, Afghanistan 10-14-2010.
Category: Other USMC
10,000 Marines Out For A Run
Brigadier Gen. James W. Lukeman, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division, and Sgt. Maj. Bryan K. Zickefoose, the Sergeant Major of 2nd Marine Division, lead the Division in a run to build unit camaraderie aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 22, 2014.
No Civvies Allowed On Base
Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Memphis where Sailors and Marines learned how to be aviation technicians was actually in Millington, Tennessee about twelve miles North of Memphis.
Attached is my graduating class picture posed in front of the school's jet trainer. All the Marines in the picture got orders to Kaneohe Bay MCAS, early in 1961. Anyway, Gunny Bednarz brought back some memories in the last newsletter regarding Cinderella liberty during the week and weekend liberty when you didn't have the duty. No civvies allowed on base but you could rent a locker in downtown Memphis conveniently located at the bus stop from Millington to keep your civvies off base. Rumor has it that the commanding Admiral owned the lockers and that was the reason for the no civvies order on base. The best place to go in Memphis on liberty was the USO club.
Heartbreak Ridge
In responce to a newsletter May 21st about the making of the movie "Heartbreak Ridge". I was also in VMGR 352, and was in the welcome home crowd sceens used in the closing of the movie. As I remember, it took just about all day to film that final 5 minutes of the movie.
Heartbreak Ridge
Love reading the Sgt. Grit Newsletter, I have a contribution some may find interesting.
In the summer of 1986 Clint Eastwood was directing and starring in 'Heartbreak Ridge' as GySgt Thomas Highway. It's a bit hokey with lots of inaccuracies but still contains enough to hold the attention of most Marines. Highway's recon unit is supposedly based out of Camp Lejeune but in fact the movie was filmed at Camp Pendleton and MCAS El Toro only one month before I reported to VMGR-352 / MAG-11 / 3rd MAW (my last duty station before leaving active duty). Clint had even signed the overhead control panel with a Sharpie on the flight deck of tail # 019, a KC-130F. (The KC-130 is a rugged, reliable, versatile, awesome aircraft, been flying now more than 50 years)
Clutching An Ammo Can
Comment on Amphibious Landing Problems.
Ken Schweim's comments on going down the nets for an amphibious landing are pretty much the way I remember it. It looked easy in the movies, but very tricky in rough seas. I am surprised more Marines did not get hurt just getting off the ship. But those who suffered from sea sickness did not care… they just wanted to get off the ship and on dry land. I will also add that going from the landing craft to board ship was just as bad. Grab the net when the landing craft was high… then before you could get your feet in the net you were dangling in the air. Grab the net when it was low… the net is bunched at your feet. Climbing up the net with all your gear was a bit harder than going down.
80th Year Of The Sunset Parade
I am a Vietnam veteran (1966 – 1967 Khe Sanh, 26th Marines). I was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. My Silver Star was presented to me by the then Commandant, General Leonard Chapman in his office while I was stationed at A Co., Hqtrs. Marine Corps at the old Henderson Hall across from the Navy Annex in Arlington, Va.
Promoted In Australia
My son Cpl Matthew Giebudowski with 1/5 bravo Wpns platoon. Matt was promoted to Corporal last week in Australia.
Mark Giebudowski
Tri-County Leathernecks MC of South Florida
Thank you Sgt. Grit for supporting our Tri-County Leathernecks M/C Annual Event here in South Florida! Leathernecks from all over South Florida mustered at Port St. Lucie Florida for Tri County Leathernecks M/C Annual Event.
Semper Fi,
Bob MacGillivray
Never Had A Swabby
Read Cpl Schweim's letter re landings: I was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division, 12th Marines, during 1961- 62, we made many amphibious landings training with the Republic of Vietnam and other Units, off-loading from the APA Pickaway in the South China Sea to Thailand we climbed the ropes to the landing craft. The South China Sea was seldom calm, so the LST would bounce up and down sometimes hitting the side of the ship. Marines in full gear would climb the ropes while Marines on the landing craft would try to hold the ropes. However we never had a swabby directing us. One incident I recall a Marine did not have his helmet chin strap buckled and it fell from the APA's deck to the landing craft fortunately missing us, we listened to orders and had our steel pots on and secured. I have attached some photos of the operation.