Category: Marine Corps Stories

My New Tank Top

I just LOVE my new tank top !! You guys are the best. One of my adopted Marines suggested that I send you guys this pic 🙂

I have the ruck because I am training for a charity event in Texas to honor a Recon Marine who was KIA in Al Anbar in 06 (god help my civilian ass). It is a new event which could probably use a little bit of exposure if you could find it in your heart to maybe put something about it in your next newsletter – www.zmanchallenge.com. The commandant of one of the local Marine Corps Leagues said that you all are great about things like that. read more

Thank You

Sgt. Grit,

I wanted to send you a few pictures of my son and his new wife. Sgt. Greg Markley arrived at MCAS, Beaufort in May of 2006 after a 2 year tour in Iwakuni, Japan. 9 days later he met Kathryn Drennan and they were married November 25, 2007 in Ohio. Katie wanted to have as much of the military involved in her wedding as she could. As you can see he wore his dress blues. She saw the cake topper that you carry and wanted it for her cake. The wedding was a great success and your staff helped to make this so. We also used the goblets. And there was a small snafu, which your staff corrected very quickly for me. I also used the Beanie Bear as a gift for the 2 cute little flower girls. They were a big hit. They so fell in love with Greg so now they have their own Greg. I hope you enjoy the pictures. And again thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful service. read more

PFC Marler

I just wanted to tell you about my Marine. PFC Cody Marler, Camp Geiger, NC…he was only 11 when 9-11 happened and after watching the planes crash into the towers on TV, he told me he was going to be a Marine. I thought he would grow out of it, but he didn’t. He graduated high school a full year ahead of everyone else on Feb. 23, 2007. He turned 17 on April 7, 2007, which was a Sunday, but on Monday morning he was a Marine recruit and on May 7 he was at MCRD. (The longest 13 weeks of my life!) We went to his graduation on Aug. 3, 2007, Golf Co. Plt. 2154, and I have never been so proud in my life, not just proud of my son, but of every son standing there that day. From there Cody had 10 days leave and after a day at Sea World, we headed home. Being with Cody at the airport, out in public, was like being with a rock star! Men shook his hand, former servicemen shared stories of their time as a Marine or Soldier, women thanked and hugged him, and teenage girls posed for pictures with him and giggled like he was Brad Pit! My pick-up, (photo attached), is covered with bumper stickers from Sgt. Grit and never fails to get comments when I am in town. I have never heard anyone say a disparaging word about my son, the war, or the Marine Corps. Everyone has been so supportive. And I would just like to say thank you to every service man and woman, past and present. Semper Fi! read more

Mini-Marine Cap

I ordered a Mini-Marine cap and put Enlisted Collar Emblems on it for our grandson, Saxon. I think he is a fine looking Jr. Marine.

Robert Seale, HM2 FMF Corpsman ’54, ’55, 2nd Marines

Jack Slade’s T-shirts

During a recent trip to a war zone in Burma to preform an asessment for a private contracting company Jack Slade took these photos. I was asked to forward them to you for your news letter.

Jack gave a shirt that he bought from your company to one of the KNLA rebel fighters. Jack was very impressed by this freedom fighter. Jack asked if he had ever used the handcuffs on his web gear and he said ” yes, every time I man the .50 cal machine gun” Jack was a little confused and asked what he meant. The freedom fighter told Jack that he handcuffs himself to the .50 cal machine gun so that he is not temped to run away if his base camp is being over run by the DKBA or SPDC (bad guys). This so impressed Jack that he gave him this t-shirt. Jack bought this t-shirt from SGT grit in rememberance of his best friend and machine gunner Chris Reger, may he rest in peace. This shirt has been worn on many missions and even The Las Vegas marathon that he ran with 61lbs of gear in a “support out troops” run. Now it goes to a tough Freedom fighter in Burma. Jack hopes it gives him the strength it gave him. The other shirt Jack sent pics of says . This was given to Jack by Chiris’s sister Vicki. She bought it from your website. Please post these photos for Jack, he is in Burma and asked me to forward them to you. He reads your newsletter all the time. Semper fi! read more

My home bar. OOH RAH!!!

Sgt. Grit, Here are some pictures of my USMC wall in my bar at home in Illinois that we call “the Nerdy Burrito ” where my fellow marine brothers and I like to tip back a few. Thanks for keeping all of us “JARHEADS” motivated. Semper Fi! read more

Motor Pool of the Southen Detachment, Semi Old Farts Bn

Thought you would enjoy these pics of the entire Motor Pool of the Southern Detachment, Semi Old Farts Bn all spruced up with goodies from your outfit. Parked in front of an Army Recruiting Station and when I got out the USMC Marines’ Hymn played on the musical horn… without pushing the button (it does this regularly). The doggies smiled gave a thumb’s up. I returned it plus a snappy salute (forgive me, Chesty. I was “uncovered”)! read more

Marine Corp Bike

Attached are some pictures of my 2003 Suzuki 650s. I just finished it in a marine corp theme.

I was in the 2nd Marine Air wing 1961 ? 1965

Bud Sanborn