Sgt Grit is a place where Marines can come and meet other Marines, share tattoos and stories, keep up with Marine Corps news, or shop for USMC gear.
Sgt. Grit,
When I went on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC. out of Jacksonville, Florida (All in one day), I could not resist having my picture taken at our USMC Memorial Statue (since I am an IWO JIMA survivor) and paying tribute with a salute. I also have a miniature of said statue on a shelf above my desk at home. Once a Marine, always a Marine.
I was asked by the President of the WMA-HOTX5 group to send in these photos.
I am Cathleen Ursula (Barrientos) Gruetzner. Class of 1979 – MCRD Parris Island, SC. Women Marine Association-Heart of Texas Chapter 5 – Austin, Texas. Veterans of Foreign Wars-Post 4443 -Highland Hills/Oakhill, Texas. Fleet Marine Association-Branch 201 – Austin, Texas. Past Photo: May 1979, and Present Photo: November 2012.
Another Marine entered Heaven yesterday, 4/30/2013. 1st Sgt Rick Blish (ret) was called upon to serve in another way. I will miss my "dad" very much, but know his suffering is over. He's back in his Blues looking as good as ever. I know he would NOT want me upset or crying, but laughing and being the Marine he knows I am. OOOHHH RRAAHHH Pop. Semper Fi. I'll see you again!
My husband I are both Viet Nam Marine Veterans. I wanted to personally thank him for his service and for being such a wonderful husband, friend and someone who loves God, Corps and Country as much as I do. (We met on 8/2010 and were married 38 days later) We bought a Can Am Spyder because of medical conditions we both have ( his are contributed to his tour in Nam)
This little Devil Pup, Nicholas, stopped for a photo-op while his mom, Traci Brown-Guthrie was shopping in the Sgt Grit showroom. Nicholas' father is Sgt Dwain Guthrie who served with 1st Force Recon.
Nicholas is modeling our U.S. Marines Digital Woodland Kids 3-piece short set.
29 April, 1983. Thirty years ago today, my life forever changed. I heard the words that I had spent the last three months striving towards. Three months…12 weeks.
I spent that time learning about people I didn’t know had ever existed. Guys like Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, Dan Daley, Carlos Hathcock, and Manila John Basilone who actually bears a great resemblance to Dean Martin.
Sgt. Grit,
Here is a 1959 Zippo with the VMF-451 logo. The C-119 (Air Force designation) flying box car's proper nomenclature in the Marine Corps was R4Q when we used them in Korea, and later hauling supplies to Taiwan when we were stationed there. They were powered by those huge four row P&W 4360 engines.
This was how my USMC shooting career (Distinguished Pistol Shot etc.) started with a NJP! I was a boot PFC at Lejeune and had a 2nd LT for a CO (really). My MOS was 2311 (ammo tech) and us techs weren't being used as such; the war was winding down. They put me in the office cause I know my ABCs, but I was not happy. I had my request in for EOD, and was just waiting it out. One morning after formation, the Company 1stSgt came to me (I was typing something Hot!) and he told me, "PFC go in my office and make me some coffee." Well, f-ck that! I ignored him and was in a perpetual pissed off state, so I just kept on typing. He returned in a few minutes; same order (louder) and I continued to ignore him. Well, he was red-faced and full of bluster, and don't ya know, in just alittle bit, I was standing at attention in front of the 2nd LT for NJP. Failure to obey a lawful order, Art 92 I believe. After reading the charges the LT asked if I had anything to say. "Yes Sir. I don't drink coffee, and that coffee is just for the 1stSgt. So I won't make it; that's personal servitude, and if this is your Marine Corps then get me the f-ck out. I joined to be a Marine, not make the 1stSgt's coffee." The LT then asked me (eye to eye), "you don't drink coffee?" "No Sir." He then asked the 1stSgt, "He doesn't drink coffee?" 1stSgt just shrugged his shoulders. Then, that boot LT said, "you are right PFC, dismissed." 1stSgt shut the door, I need to speak with you. Well, HOT D-MN, how about that!
We drove down out of the hills to the main road there and pulled into the PX parking lot. For those unfamiliar with the Marine Air Wing and Crew Chiefs in particular… we did not wear normal Marine Corps sateen green utilities. We wore green Nomex Flight suites, no starch in our Covers (flammable), brown Leather Flight Jackets, black steel toed Flight Boots, no polish (flammable) and no blouse on the pant legs, and we had quite a bit of mud on us from four wheeling. For you East coast Marines San Onofre was part of MCRD Recruit Training and was used for (ITS) Infantry Training School.
I still have my trusty Zippo from down south and very proud of it. I have an old saying on it as follows. "When this Marine dies he will rot in the ground like any other f' ing animal." I broke the top off by accident and The Zippo Co. was nice enough to fix it and send it back to me. They're guarantee.
