Category: Marine Corps Stories

Dear Sgt. Grit, since you asked:

We have been doing this for over 15 years now?

A group of Marines decided it would be fun to gather at the Benicia Yacht Club in Benicia, Ca for morning Chow complete with the ubiquitous SOS. That grew into a few guys talking a few other unsuspecting yacht owners into a neat cruise on the bay and that led to a turnout of up to 80 who meet there on the 10th and chow down then board 8 or 10 yachts over 35? so we can get them all on and cruise to Pittsburg Yacht Club for a great Mexican luncheon and muster colors and cake cutting ceremony. We then cruise back to Benicia via the mothball fleet in Suisun for a look at a few of our old ships?Point Defiance LSD 31 is there as is the BB 3 USS Ohio. Last year we had a Marine who cruised her. I was on the Point D back in ?67 ?Y?know when yer an Old Marine (never ex)?…When you take your grand kid fishing down by the ?fleet? and look up and see your ship Aww Maaan! Anyway here?s a few shots and I have more if your interested. Anyway we sure have fun.
We?re doing it again this year. read more

OK last year I got to wake up with my beautiful wife at Parris Island and go get a sweet Eagle Globe and Anchor Tat on the MC Birthday and I thought to myself this is the best one yet. I was wrong. Tonight I ran the gauntlet through Karmah a crappy little town next to Fallujah that keeps us busy taking care of Ali baba and all the Misters on a regular basis, not a good place. But it is a place that hold 4 small AO's with small detactments of Marines, who live the basic life and get 2 hot meals a week. BUT it the dang Corps Birthday, 230 years of taking the garbage out, so those boys deserve their cake just like all Marines around the world, ssooo tonight I hooked up with a buddy of mine from 2/2 and we went on a cake run. It was awesome, only had to stop once for possible IED's which was great because its usually 2-4 times a trip. made it to all for AO's and got to get Marines their frikken Birthday cake. THIS is the best birthday I have ever had. Happy frikken birthday Marines, go get your piece of cake( and drink one for us) From me and my Marines in Camp Fallujah Iraq. read more

Philadelphia Gritogether
One of Philadelphia's USMC Sgt Grit Gift Parties

Some pictures give away raffled gifts, of course most of the gifts were purchased from Sgt. Grit, by my son Bill J. Also attached pictures of some of the group.

After our brake up most go to Cookie USMC Bar in South Philly for a Block Party with Marines and Corpsman's from all over. Of course the next day we attended Veterans Day ceremonies at Philadelphia's Washington Square, Beirut Bombing USMC Memorial, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials. read more

This is the menu from my very first celebration of a very important birthday. I still celebrate it every year. Semper Fi!

Peter A Swanson, Sgt., Platoon 103 (Private then)

Dear Sgt. Grit:

My name is Courtney Miller, i am 26 and from St. Clair Shores, Michigan. I have a big heart for the military-especially the Marines! I have some friends serving in the Corps. My sister and i subscribe to your catalog and frequent your website. read more

Dear Sgt. Grit,

This past November, I was an honored guest at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in 29 Palms. My boyfriend is a Cpl in CLB-7, long side of my little brother. This September, I was lucky enough to have my Marine come back safely from his deployment in Iraq but my brother is still over there. The Ball was like nothing I have ever experienced. During the ceremony, there were several parts where I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I saw a part of the Marine Corp that night that very few Americans will ever see. I looked beyond my own tears and saw grown men weeping as they honored their fallen Marines and Marines that served before them. With my love standing proudly next to me in his dress blues and my brother in Iraq in my heart, I made a mental note not to ever forget that night. I felt like I was there not only as a guest, but in place of my brother who was not able to be with the rest of his unit. I was respectfully greeted by everyone and proudly introduced as "Adams' Sister". Thank you again to all of our Troops for doing what they do for us. My heart goes out to you all. read more

Sgt. Grit.,

I share this story in the hope that it inspires other Marines to see what they can organize. They will be amazed how it can grow!.

Six years ago through word of mouth about a dozen Marines got together for lunch here in Sarasota, Florida for The Birthday. It was quite a simple affair, just a toast, some cake, and sing The Hymn I started a roster and mailing list, and the next year with the list and continued word of mouth we had about 38. The following year we had grown to 60, to include a General, a Corpsman, and a Woman Marine. The following year we had grown to 78 and had to get a private room in the restaurant. That year we also had the distinct privilege of having as our Guest of Honor a Congressional Medal of Honor awardee. A local resident, Hector Cafferata who was awarded the MOH for his actions at the Choisin Reservoir on "Fox Hill" with Fox 2/7 attended. This past year we arranged a notice in the local paper and had grown to over 100. The youngest Marine was 26 years old (an active duty Marine with two tours in "the sandbox" on recruiting duty here in the area) and the oldest was 88 years old. Our Guest(s) of Honor were WWII Marines, and we had 28 Marine Veterans of almost all the Pacific Island battles, including 10 Iwo Jima survivors!! Check the photos attached. What an experience! What an honor to be in the presence of those Marines! read more