WESTFIELD, Mass.—-A former Marine Corps Lance Corporal who lost his Springfield home in the June 1 tornado that ripped through Western Mass will be cited for heroism at the Westfield River Valley Detachment 141, Marine Corps League (MCL), pig roast and annual family picnic on Sunday, July 3, for saving the life of a man attempting suicide from the Tower Square Garage in downtown Springfield.
Category: Marine Corps Stories
My Utility Trailer
The photo details the back of my utility trailer. I decided to make the trailer a rolling memorial to my roommate, A.D. Benson, when we were at The Basic School at Quantico, VA. I have had considerable positive response on the trips taken between Arizona and Indiana. One night we stopped at Joplin, Mo. and the next morning I found the following note on my window.
Sir,
Though I was not born when your started your time in Viet Nam, I wish to thank you for the sacrifices you made for our Great Country.
Thank you for fighting for us when politicians lacked the honor to fight for you. Thank you for sacrificing for us when many of your own countryment tried to dishonor that sacrifice.
On behalf of my 1 and 1/2 year old son, my wife, any future children of my family and myself I thank you for fighting that we may know freedom.
Thank you for fighting to bring that freedom to others. May God bless you and may he bless the United States.
The letter was unsigned, but I thought it fitting and should be included in my tribute to A. D. Benson.
(I am also sending a second photo of the trailer) You can use which ever works best.
Thank you very much. Larry D. Behle
Our platoon’s yearly reunion
Dear Sgt. Grit:
Since 1996 our boot camp platoon has had AT LEAST one reunion somewhere in the United States every year. This year it was held in Prescott Valley, Arizona on June 9, 10, and 11. We started training June 1964 and graduated September 1964.
Jingle Bell Special model
Plastic model photos of the "Jingle Bell Special" taken off the internet.
USMC and Toys for Tots
I am the builder of a Motorcycle that honors the USMC and Toys For Tots.Many of the items we used were bought from Sgt. Grit.I would like to see about possibly getting some photos of it in Sgt. Grit.I have sent one to give you an idea of what we have built.It is a full size, functional motorcycle.
Mounted Color Guard
The Mounted Color Guard stopped by Sgt Grit and participated in this year's GriTogether.
Anglico and Correction
Sgt. Grit,
I served with 3rd Bn, 11th Mar during the summer of 1966 In Chu Lai, Viet Nam. We did have some Anglico guys in our Hq Batt. Here are a few pictures I took of a few Anglico guys while fooling around one day. I don't know the names, but anyone in Anglico there at that time might recognize their comrades Our firebase, which included Golf battery was located at the South end of the Chu Lai Taor.
Something to share
For those that watched "After The Catch" who saw Capt. Andy Hillstrand wearing a Marine shirt, here's the reason why:
While not a Marine, Capt. Andy was at a NASCAR event in Charlotte, NC where he met a group of wounded servicemen (Andy is pro-military and has a lot of respect for those who serve). One of the men in the group was a Marine who had been seriously injured while serving and they spent quite a bit of time talking and hanging out at the race. He was wearing that particular shirt and Andy was in a Time Bandit shirt so they decided to swap shirts as a sign of mutual respect and admiration.
This year’s Gritogether
Sgt. Grit,
I had the priviledge to take my fiance and son to this years festivities. What a blast it has been this last year to finally see The Place and meet The Sgt. behind all those goodies I have bought over the years. I'm not sure the future wife really understood the pride I sang our beloved hymn or the gleam in my eye just being in the same place with that many Marines again. My little buddy here loved the temporary tattoos. He wore them with pride just like his daddy, and cried when I finally washed them off a week later. Thank you for a great time and letting me introduce my boy and future wife to the Marines! OOHRAH!
Memorial for a young Marines in Nashville
I am submitting something I wrote after joining a couple thousand people (mostly veterans) standing outside the memorial of a young Marine from Nashville Tennessee last week. And the images are from that day also.
The images and sounds of Monday, June 13, 2011 will be with me for a very long time.
I have never in my life seen so many veterans and waving flags, or heard the thunderous roar of so many motorcycles as I did while I stood in front of Woodmont Hills Family of God Church during the memorial for Sgt. Kevin B. Balduf.