Category: Marine Corps Stories

Canines for Combat Veterans

Sir:   I have been working at NEADS (Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans going on 10 years. I am a retires Combat Corpsman serving with te Marines for 23 years.   I have always wanted to repay our wounded warriors with the debt owed to them for serving our country.   That day came almost 7 years ago when I along with the CEO of NEADS founded Canines for Combat Veterans. There are many organizations that place dogs with disabled veterans, but I am proud to say that we were the first.   So far to date we have placed 42 dogs with their disabled veteran partner and all have worked out perfectly. The dogs afford such an independent lifestyle for their partner. The veteran no longer has to rely on others to aid in his getting around or doing simple tasks. Now his canine partner can do this for him. Our dog’s open and close doors, pick items up off the floor, turn lights on and off, open refrigerator doors and place items from the refrigerator in the veterans lap, pull wheelchairs, and many more tasks.  There is so much more to our program, with the best feature of all being,    "No out-of -pocket expense." We will pay for the dog, pay airfare both ways to bring our veteran to NEADS campus to learn how to work with the dog, and room and board is paid for with the Blue Star Mother of Chapter 1 in Leominster, MA supplying the food with the help from the VFW of Leominster.   The picture shown here is "Aubie" a Golden Retriever trained to serve as a demonstration dog for our veterans.   Please go to www.neads.org and click on the box,, "Canines for Combat Veterans." There is a picture in that site of me and Aubie, a Golden Retriever along with Cpl. Nathan Potts USMC in the upper left corner.   If I can be of any help to our wounded Marines, please contact me at   DocFregeauMCL@verizon.net    Semper-Fi George "Doc" Fregeau

Semper FI

I have never written in but have enjoyed reading all the stories and comments submitted.   -I am not a Marine, but I am the mother of one.     -I say at least we know what 'FI" means.  My son has only been out for 8 months but still talks in acronyms, the ultimate form of abbreviation.  I don't know half of what he is saying and have to remind him that I was not in the Marines.   -His brother is now in the Navy and it is a whole "nother" language.   LORD help me! Carole Handley   PMM Cpl Matthew PNM MM3 Reed Eagle Scouts, both!

LCpl Sheriff and son

My Husband LCPL Michael Sheriff was deployed My entire pregnancy with our First Child in Japan. He Came Home 2 Weeks after he was born and I wanted to share this picture the first time they met with You.Please let me know if you do put this in a mag or website..So I can print a copy if you do so I can put it in my husbands and sons scrapbooks I am making for them   So This is My Husband LCPL Michael Sheriff and our  2 week old Son Brayden. This Is the first time they meet.   God Bless!! Samantha Sheriff

Good Old SSgt Palmer

Hi sgt grit, I hope you can put this old platoon picture in your weekly new letter.maybe some of the old marines might see it and drop me a line on how there doing.most probally don't remember names,I only know a few, but I know they all remember good old ssgt. Palmer!!He did show us all how to be very good marines. This is platoon 16–1953. Sgt. Bob Holmes (bangie56@lakeozark.net) read more

The Avoidance Directory

One of the unique problems modern military members face is the utter partition between themselves and the regular public. While headlines about progress in the Global War on Terrorism may dominate the news, the fact is the amount of Americans serving in the military is at one of its lowest numbers in the last 50 years. That, combined with the closure of many installations, has created a natural division in the relationship between the public and military personnel through lack of daily contact. read more

Guarding Heaven’s Gate

Sgt Grit,

In March 2011, another Marine was promoted to guarding heaven's gates.  After a year-long battle with brain cancer, Lance Corporal Tom Nelson is dancing with his Lord Jesus Christ. 

Tom joined the Marines in 1968 and served until 1970 as a Combat Engineer for A Company, 9th Engineer Battalion, First Marine Division in Viet Nam.  He served in Viet Nam from 1969-1970.  He was awarded two purple hearts, combat action ribbon, good conduct medal and various other awards.  He served his country at 110%.  His family in central Indiana will always love and remember him with his dedication to his country and his Lord.  Semper Fi read more

8th Annual GriTogether – JUNE 11th

8th Annual Gritogether - June 11, 2011

This year's Gritogether was a great success. We had Marines from all over the country, great live entertainment, the Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, poolees getting ready for bootcamp, and much much more! Thank you to everyone who took the time to come and we look forward to seeing you next GriTogether!
Semper Fi,
Sgt Grit read more