Visiting Camp Lejeune

What a pleasure it was to meet the Marines of Camp Lejeune N.C. as I attended the Marine South Expo. I had always been west with my husband so this was my first time experiencing the East Coast and I have to say I loved it! Here are a few pics of some of the people I met. read more

Marine Corps Engineer Monument Dedication

On May 14, 2014, active duty, former, reserve and retired Marines will gather at Semper Fidelis Memorial Park at the National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC), located just south of the main gate to Marine Corps Base, Quantico on US 1. Their mission will be to dedicate a monument that will serve as a tribute and memorial for all past and present USMC engineers and related occupational specialties. It is fitting to dedicate the monument because Marine Corps engineers have been serving for over 100 years since establishing our first organization, Company H, 1st Regiment, 1st Advance Base Brigade, formed in 1913. Marine engineers have served well and faithfully from then, up to and including recent service in Iraq, Afghanistan and recent disaster relief operations in the Philippines. read more

Power Strips 4 Troops

Powerstrips4troops.org was created by Marine Veteran Dave Waller after he suffered a debilitating injury while serving as a Marine Security Guard at the U.S. Embassy in Morocco. Power Strips are unique, herbal pain relief patches. The Power Strips are listed as a Class 1 Medical Device by the FDA because of their ability to provide temporary relief of minor aches and pains. The are patented and doctor formulated. read more

Only Thing With Wings

Several weeks ago I read an article about mustaches and it reminded me of when I was a Sgt (E4) in 2nd Bn, 3dMar in 1958, we were stationed at Camp Kindser across the road from Camp Hague On Okinawa. At the time I was the radio chief for 2Bn/3d Mar, there was no SSgt in Comm at that time. I worked for a 1st Lieutenant and I do not remember his name. I was very proud of my mustache and the handle bars. I usually wore them turned up on the ends. Our Bn Commander put out the word no handle bars were allowed, so during work time they were not waxed, but on liberty I waxed them. This particular evening about 7:00 pm I was walking from my tent area to the main gate about a half mile, at that time Camp Kindser consisted of mostly tents with wood floor and Quantic huts, the sidewalks were made of wood and every time it rained they floated and you could never walk any place without getting into the muddy water. read more

A More Salty Appearance

About two weeks ago while cruising the internet I stumbled on an ad for a "Vietnam era" green utility cover so I bought one (right photo). I still have one that I was issued in 1963 and it has long since passed the stage of being unserviceable (left photo). My wife is a wonderful companion but she is like a First Shirt when it comes to cleaning house. Once I caught her just in time, my old utility cover in hand, heading towards the sh-t can with obvious intentions of throwing it out. When I tried to explain why I couldn't part with it, she only stared at me blankly. Suffice it to say, I just explained you don't sh-t can old warriors, you stow them away. My new cover has the "first day of Boot Camp" look to it, but that doesn't matter; it will gradually take on a more salty appearance. read more