Category: Marine Corps Stories

24 MAU in Beirut

I was hoping to catch up with some of my fellow Marine's that I spent a part of my life with that I'll never forget! Fom a working port in Hifia, to the train ride to Tel Aviv, then Jerusalem. Then of course the no duty store for the ride back with Johnny Walker. We did have fun, but it never took the true pain away! Making Grape hooch down in the well deck of the USS Nassau (Being a Marine I never thought I'd say she was a GOOD ship). Never did we forget the REAL reason we were there! God bless our Hero's that gave all! And are still giving!     read more

Mark of the Beast

I was in a bar recently when in walked a young man (to me, anyway; he was in his mid to late 30s, I'd say) who had a Marine Corps tattoo on his left bicep. I was across the bar from him but it jumped right out at me. I told the bartender that I would buy him a beer and when she relayed my offer to him he looked up in surprise, smiled and said he didn't drink. I was a bit annoyed because, after all, that wasn't the point; and never mind that he was bellied up to a bar. WTF? So I told him, patiently, that I'd buy him one of whatever he was drinking and "Semper Fi". He said thanks and "Ooh rah," which I guess is what Marines say today, God only knows why. And he kept calling me "sir," which was disconcerting to a former Sergeant. Do I – perish the thought – look like an officer? Or was it merely the deference that youth owes to experience? I don't know. read more

Mural in Amherst, OH

A while back I submitted a picture regarding a mural painted on the side of s building in my home town of Amherst, Ohio. That first picture was of the famous photo of the second flag raising on Iwo Jima. The same young artist is almost complete a second mural on the same building of a painting of the Vietnam Memorial. The young man is amazingly talented and those murals deserve to be viewed and admired by as many people as possible. read more

I Never Did Get My Draft Card

I joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and went through boot camp at Parris Island, then on to ITR just like the older guys. All of that took about 6 months and upon completion, we all got to take a little vacation (leave) for about 10 days before reporting to our first duty stations. My MOS being 0311, I reported to the FMF at Camp Lejeune, NC. While stationed with the FMF, I went on what was known back then as a “Carib Cruise”. The cruise lasted about 6 months and we returned to Camp Lejeune where many of us received orders for WESPAC or as the older guys put it, “the land of the many rains”, Jarhead jargon for Vietnam. That duty lasted a little over a year and upon returning to “the world”, I got to go home for a 30 day leave before reporting to my next duty station as an Instructor at TBS (The Basic School) in Quantico, VA. read more

My Time

I was a Field Radio Operator with 1/8 (May – Oct '83). As I have read in many of the postings, just about everyone has some good and bad memories. Same goes for me. I was a pretty quiet guy, kept to myself, read books, drew a lot of pictures, and just kind of took it all in. I did my job, never really spent a lot of time goofing off and basically tried to just stay in one piece. When I returned home and recovered from my injuries, I ended up getting out of the Corps and basically just put it all behind me to try and get back into civilian life. read more

Proudest Dad

This is a little longer than I'd like but stick with it – it's a worthwhile story of how I became the proudest dad in the Corps.

My son had some troubles in his first semester of college. Nothing terrible, he’s was always a great kid for example, at 17 he was an open ocean lifeguard with many saves to his name – yeah – that kind of kid with character a mile wide and a mile deep.  As a freshman in college he was only doing the same things that other freshman were doing –  he just got caught and because he is an honest kid – "yes, that's my alcohol in the room" – got punished. read more

Proudest Dad in the Corps

This is a little longer than I'd like but stick with it – it's a worthwhile story of how I became the proudest dad in the Corps.

My son had some troubles in his first semester of college. Nothing terrible, he’s was always a great kid for example, at 17 he was an open ocean lifeguard with many saves to his name – yeah – that kind of kid with character a mile wide and a mile deep.  As a freshman in college he was only doing the same things that other freshman were doing –  he just got caught and because he is an honest kid – "yes, that's my alcohol in the room" – got punished. read more

Arlington National Cemetery

I had the opportunity for me and my son to visit the Arlington National Cemetery this past July 9th. It was a once in a life time experience, and I'm truly glad we made the trip. We were up there in the area to see my oldest daughter graduate from her AIT school at Ft. Lee. We took the rest of the day to visit our Nation's capital and see the main sights. I really wanted to get to the Arlington National Cemetery since I was a kid, and knew that was the first place we needed to go. It was an experience that I almost can't explain. I didn't realize how large of grounds it covers, and we had to take the tour and get it all in. I was in awe of the history that is there. And we definitely caught the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and watched the 'Changing of the Guards'… it was amazing! We took in as much as time would allow and as we left we ran into this young man. Extremely polite and highly professional. His job was to take anyone that needed a ride to and from the cemetery. My son, met him, thanked him for his service to our country and wanted to get a picture with him. He was great to meet and as always, stood out. read more