Category: Marine Corps Stories

Flags For Fallen Family Memebers

Flags For Fallen Family Memebers

April 22, 2003 Dear Friends:

Perhaps you can use these photos to encourage those families who have lost family members in Iraq. Each flag in our front yard represents one of their sons or daughters who have fallen. Each flag has the individual’s name, rank, branch of service, where, how and on what date they were taken from us. We also have POW/MIA flags to represent those missing. We do this in honor of those who risk everything for our safety and freedom. We understand their great sacrifice. Our son, Cpl. Ron Gometz, is also in Iraq fighting with the Marines. read more

Umm Qasr March 21, 2003

Umm Qasr March 21, 2003

A U.S. Marine raises the American and Marine flag at the entrance to Iraq’s main port of Umm Qasr March 21, 2003.

Marines briefly raised the Stars and Stripes after facing tougher than expected resistance in and around the southern Iraq port. Some time later, the flag was removed. No reason was given for the decision, but Washington has consistently stressed that invading U.S. forces want to liberate Iraq, not occupy it read more

2 Marines, 2 Wives

2 Marines, 2 Wives

Amanda and Josh Nickell and Jake and Sydnie Nickell

Sgt. Grit:

I thought you and your readers might appreciate a photo of my two sons and thier two wives, all of whom were married within a week of one another this past Christmas while home on leave. It was the first time my sons had seen one another since Thanksgiving 2007, although during their tours in Iraq they were stationed within 10 miles of one another for a while. Wedding plans for both were moved up because my youngest son’s deployment date for Afghanistan was moved up, too. Each Marine was the other’s best man. From left to right they are Amanda Nickell and Josh Nickell and Jake Nickell and Sydnie Nickell. Josh and Amanda were married Dec. 21 at First United Methodist Church in Jackson, TN, and Jake and Sydnie were married Dec. 26 at the same church. Josh, a combat engineer, is now stationed at Edson Rifle Range at Camp Pendleton; Jake, a rifleman and radio operator, is stationed at Camp Lejeune. Among the guests attending the services was their paternal grandmother, Mrs. Joy Nickell, wife of Maj. Robert B. Nickell (deceased), who participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima in WWII. read more

A Christmas Story

When I arrived in Okinawa in December of 1973 I was very fortunate to be assigned to the 3rd Recon Battalion. The small group of us mostly new to Corps Marines were immediately put to the test during our RIP training. We were up early, wet, cold and working late every day. But on Christmas Eve our intstructors Sgt. Abbey and Sgt. Cook decided we needed a break to celebrate Christmas so we were sent to find a tree. We could not find a suitable fir tree on Ona Point so one of our platoon was designated to serve as the tree. Pvt. Davis made a great tree, we had a short break from training and a good laugh to boot. read more

Christmas M-14

Yo Grit,

Thanks for the newsletter and a special thanks to you and your staff for your support of Marines, past, present & future.

Was with FLSG Alpha from September, 1966 through April, 1968, & FLSG Bravo @ Dong Ha from April 1968 through October 1968. At the time that the attached photo was taken, I was assigned to Motor Transport Maintenance Company, FLSG Alpha, @ DaNang (across the street from dogpatch). read more

Our Military Tree

Our tree is covered with flags representing all branches of the service to honor our son Vince, a first lieutenant in the Marines serving his second tour of duty in Iraq during another Christmas season. And for all those are fighting for our country. So that we can continue to enjoy our freedoms without fear of reprisal on U.S. soil. May God Bless and keep you and yours! read more