Category: Marine Corps Stories

I wanted to send my platoon picture (#155) and maybe you might post it. In addition, I took a couple of pictures on your website and ran them through Photoshop and I think I improved them. You be the judge.

Thanks

Richard Moore
Missouri

Pictures from Plt. 191, which formed at Parris Island 14 December 1963. I checked the Viet Nam Memorial, and none of my three Drill Instructors was listed as KIA. Letcher E. Asher was my 17 y.o. bunkmate, whom we shephered through Boot Camp as he still needed to grow up, only to learn that he shot off his toe with an M-1 blank at RTR. Alton B. Biggs is deceased. John Tracy had a law degree, served six months active duty and returned to Colorado to practice law. Two of the guys went AWOL after we got to Lejeune, were caught in North Mississippi and returned to Lejeune. J.E. read more

Had a good time at the "grit together" Saturday. Your photographer got a picture of you, me and my drill instructor. Here's a picture of us in 1968 at MCRD. The drill instructor is JC Allen, I'm the private in the Buddy Holly glasses. The only thing that makes our presence there (me & GySgt Allen) unusual is that he was my DI in 1968 and 37 years later we hang out together.
Dan Campbell read more

No matter from what mil`lenimum or planet they were breeded … A DI is still&looks like a DI … Look at those pix's. (A bit sence fuzzy&cuddly.) Trust me whence I pronounce that he (MSgt Rankin, ret) still can demand Gimme One Million or Many`many … whichever comes first, he'll get it at that moment … That "tone" of his, came from the mid`50's … it's still echoed today.

Amongst our "herd" (aka Detachment) is the former SSgt DI Sarah … cute, petite lady … however whence she needs to, her eyes&voice does demand an immediate "proper" response. read more

I thought someone may like to see this.
1960
Plt 116
San Diego, Ca

Semper Fi
L/Cpl James Hammond 2/60 to 2/65

Thomas A. Vormwald, PFC USMC – Graduated August 26th, 2005. From United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. He is the son of Thomas and Penny Vormwald of 136 Bridle Lane, Loveland, OH.

After Graduation he will spend 10 days on leave and 7 days on Recruiters assistance with the US Marine Corps Recruiting Office Eastgate. On 13 Sept. 2005 he will be stationed to Camp Geiger, North Carolina to attend the US Marine Corps School of Infantry. After which, his final duty station will be determined based on the needs of the United States Marine Corps. read more

On Oct 20, 2005 I was reading my Sgt Grit’s American Courage Newsletter #108, when I found a letter from a very determined young lady named April Cheek. (You can read her letter at the link, it's about the 10th letter in the newsletter). read more

Dear Sgt Grit,

Last evening my boyfriend PFC Andrew Carlson brought me out to dinner at the Wild Horse Cafe in Beverly Ma for Valentines Day. Andrew is currently on his 10 day leave after his Parris Island graduation and will be going to North Carolina next week. We were both dressed up, he in his uniform and I in a dress. We were seated and ordered our dinners in the quiet dimly lit restaurant. I could not help but notice that there were few people dining that evening primarily because it was the night before Valentines Day. After we ordered our dessert the waitress came up and said " I just wanted to let you know that your dinner has been paid for by a gentleman who was dining here earlier. He is a former Marine and noticed you coming in and has paid for your evening together." Both Andrew and I were in disbelief. She then added, "it is an honorable thing to be in the Marines and I thank you for your service." I asked if the former Marine left his name or number and she said he didn't leave anything but just wanted to pay for our dinner. Andrew and I could not believe the generosity and unselfishness this Marine gave to us. As we sat there almost feeling guilty Andrew said "That is the first time I've experience the 'brotherhood' of the Marines The only way we can thank him is to do the same thing for a Marine someday." I nodded and we sat at our table in silence holding hands and hoping that the Marine will know how much it meant to us. I am so proud of Andrew and his decision to leave his career at 28 years old and serve his country. I am amazed at the pride and bond that Marines have for one another even if they have never met. This bond was shown to us through the thoughtfulness of the Marine who paid for our dinner. We will never forget that and I only hope and pray that he knows how grateful we are. read more