Category: Other USMC

Soochow’s Monument at MCRD San Diego

Thought you might like this. I visited the monument last Friday. He is buried in the vicinity of the monument.

Semper Fi

Dear John Letters

received three of them in 14 months, did pi jan 28, 1958, discharged march 6th 1959, ref the khaki uniform, here’s my picture wearing them in 1959, issued at pi.

enjoy reading the memories, forgot my platoon # at pi, records show that i was in P co 3rd batl 1st inf. we had tropical uniforms as well, read more

Letter for the Column

Dear Sgt. Grit, I have been reading your newsletter for a while now and this is the first time to write. I have the metal poster on your wall” Pride in America” Ask a Marine!. Anyway, I attached some pics of the two birds from the two different squadrons I was in. VMA{aw}224-The “BENGALS” and VMAQ-2. “The PLAYBOYS”. hope people like them. also there are a couple of other pics of Marine Corps stuff you might like. I am saddened by the fact that so many people are not quite getting the picture as it comes to things like the Eagle,Globe and Anchor. and why new media dosn’t cover the IMPORTANT stories that are happening around the world. My mother ,GOD rest her soul,was at my graduation in 1974 and the first thing I did was to give her one of my collar devices as she had put her time in TOO! I would dare anyone to say she didn’t have a right to wear it! And as to people who dont understand about OUR Corps, well thats just too bad. I would proudly serve again,but the recruiter said” thank you sir, you are just a little too old for us right now. I buried my father in law four years ago in January. He was a Korean war Marine. My brother was murdered in 2001. He was a Marine from 1964 to 1966. Then joined the 101st Airborne and did two tours in vietnam,67-68, 69-70. My father,who I lost when I was five years old was a 30 year man in the Army. retired Master Sgt. All of my uncles were WWII veterans. My Uncle Sal had the silver star and 6 other medals for heroism and gallantry. So you see,I come from a long line of PATRIOTS! hell, all my friends were either Army,Air Force,Navy or Marines. WE ALL BLEED RED! WE ALL LOVE OUR COUNTRY! SOME HAVE DIED DOING THIS FOR OUR COUNTRY! People just don’t understand what it takes to be a patriot. I feel sorry for them. I have went on long enough. I just want to say to ALL the Men and Women who have put a uniform on for this Country of OURS, THANK YOU for your service! And to all my Brothers and Sisters fighting RIGHT NOW! Keep up the good work! there are a lot and I mean A LOT of people whose prayers you all are in, every DAY! SEMPER FI! Sargeant Grit. read more

China Marines

Attached you will find two photo’s of my father while stationed in Shanghi, China, sometime in the late 1940’s (46-49). He is the 3rd from the left in the first photo and the 2nd from the left in the second photo. His name was William B. Howell, but may have gone by Billy O. Howell. Although from Shafter, Texas, he enlisted while in Indianapolis, Indiana, after serving in the North Atlantic during WWII (1943-45) while at the age of 15. I am trying to locate anyone that may have know him while in China. I am hoping that you will be able to post these photos in my quest to find his buddies!! read more

Marines at 29 Palms and Birthday Ball

Just a quick question….I never see any shirt logos with anything with Djbouti ,Africa. My son is stationed there. He is LCpl Colt Summers, and who would have known with the name Colt and he is an armoror. My husband is on his second deployment to Al Taqaddam. He is GySgt Dave Melka. read more

Neighbors

Sgt Grit:

“We make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our next door neighbor.” Chesterton, Gilbert K.

Our younger brother, former Marine Cpl. Richard G. Merna, a Korean War veteran, died on July 4th last year (2006). Yesterday (August 7, 2007) would have been his 73rd birthday, so my wife and I, despite the over 100 degree heat, decided to visit him at the Quantico National Cemetery to personally wish him a “Happy Birthday.” read more

Sands of Iwo

Well I didn’t make the 400. My consolation is that at least I have had the Honor of actually setting foot on Iwo. It was in 1954, the 3rdMarDiv conducted landings out of Japan. We landed on the opposite side of the island from the original landings. Didn’t think of taking a bit of the black sand then. After the operation, I guess we were too excited just having the opportunity to explore the battle sites including going to the top of Suribachi. Although many of us had fought in Korea; THIS WAS IWO! There were still many signs of the battle; wreckage, coastal guns still in cave emplacements, etc.. I’ve included a photo of myself at the monument on Suribachi. That’s me on the left. read more

Miss My Family

Sgt. Grit:

Two branches met in the middle.

My husband, GySgt Thomas Reichard has been a US Marine all his life. Tough, strick, hard-core all the way. Well raising three boys in the military lifestyle and being married to one, is rough on a mom. But the boys soon obtained their sweet revenge when dad was TAD in Germany (just after 9/11). Both our oldest sons joined the Army. Dad was livid. As a mother and wife, it was difficult to agree with either side which branch was the best. Who is the roughest in all this….mom!!! read more

3/6 Welcome Home… OOHRAH

Sgt.Grit,

On August 9th 2007,my sons Marine 3/6 unit came home from Iraq,it was the 2nd tour for them,the first tour was the Anbar province on the Syrian border,we made the trip down to see the return of these heroes,we are from Michigan,it was the 2nd trip to Camp Lejeune for us,after we greeted our son CPL David Somerville,and his friend and roomate CPL Chad Lamb,I must have spent the next hour walking up to as many Marines as possible to say welcome home and thank you,by the way the temperatures that day 115 degrees. My son David and Chad recieved the (NAM) medal NAVY AND MARINE,we still don’t know what they did,but we do know that both of them had volunteered to be coptered around Iraq to pick up the belongings of fallen Marines,well over 70 missions,I wanted to share this with your readers,we are so proud of all of our men and women,to all the members of the 3/6,welcome home,you are all heroes to all of us,SEMPER FI.JOB WELL DONE read more

My Marine

I always enjoy reading the stories from Marines and their family members in the Sgt Grits newsletters, and seeing the photos they include. I'd like to share my pride in my husband with my own letter and photos. He recently retired from the Marine Corps, here at Quantico, VA, after nearly 29 years of service. He was able to be joined at his retirement by many members of his family including his parents, brothers and their families, daughter and son and daughter-in-law! And of course, me, his wife! He retired shortly after his safe return from an Iraq deployment. Our son is also a Marine veteran, having served his 4 years as an armorer, and now working for a police department in CA. Thank you for letting me brag for a moment on the my Marine! I've attached a few pics I hope you will allow me to share! read more