Category: Marine Corps Stories

My father was a Staff Sargent in WWII. My brother was also a Staff Sargent, USMC and served at DaNang airbase when I was in sixth grade. Among other things, my remarkable teacher made Gunga Din part of her unprecedented curriculum. (A fellow student memorized this poem, recited it countless times and probably still remembers it today.) A less well-rounded and decidedly narrow-minded teacher at the same school harassed me about my brother serving in Vietnam and “how proud I must be”. I was a just dumb little kid who only knew that my brother was trying to keep us all safe and my mom cried herself to sleep every night waiting for him to come home. To this day, that recollection still brings gut-wrenching tears to my eyes. Just as war and (ignorant) political opinions, this poem, minus the antiquated dialect, prove some things never change. Would have loved to be a fly (angel) on the wall for your father’s ultimate reunion with that corpsman. read more

Gulf War Poem

To my brother in the United States Marine Corps
February 26, 1991

My brother went to boot camp, a childish
Little boy, to be shaped and molded, a
Drill instructor’s toy.
Although it seemed impossible, his
Motivation was so strong, dreams of his
Family and friends made the months seem so long. read more

Graduation
by Kristal Sewell

The day you told me you were leaving,
Was a very hard day.
I didn?t want you to leave
But knew this was what you wanted.

We talked about it every night
And you told me not to cry, that I was your rock.
So that I did
Not shedding a tear,
Until that day
You went away.
We both knew it was coming
We knew it would be hard to say goodbye
Even though it wasn?t for long
3 months is a long time. read more

Goodbye Poem
by Pfc. Josh Hanson 2/5 Fox Co.

This poem was written to a girl named mia, as a goodbye poem/letter. He was never able to say a final goodbye. He just wanted to let her know how he felt.

As I lay here silent and still

Thoughts and memories start to come read more

God Bless The Marines
by Hayley Girl, Age 11

God bless the Marines,
Who step between
Me
And my enemies!

I ask myself
“Why do they go?”
Even though
I already know.

They’re protecting
Me
From the world I see.

Oh, what can I do
To help you
View
How thankful I am to you?

To those who died
In service,
I am respecting
Them.
I am reflecting
Upon them! read more

“G”GOD IS ALIVE!?

Too many decisions, so little time!
Oh, how many appointments have led to disappointments.
You may wonder!
But do not live in despair or fear!
You must be willing to ?Let Go And Let God? and at the Same time Accept our Lord?s many challenges but only do so, ?One day at a time?. read more

Friend
Jason “Barbo” Barbosa

As a method of dealinf with some PTSD I began writing poetry. Some of it is angry, some confused, but I feel that many (although most won’t admit) could agree with the words from time to time. Here is one of the lighter ones.

Semper Fi

Jason “Barbo” Barbosa
SGT USMC 1988-1994
Panama, Kuwait, Somalia
Veteran read more

FREEDOM
By: Sergeant Aaron M. Gilbert

In my life, I have had wanted nothing more than what I now am, a Marine. A single 6-letter word that speaks volumes to multitudes. Just the name, Marine, carries pride, honor and courage. Many men join for many different reasons, but they all start off with the same goal along the way, to become a Marine. To be one of the few, the proud. Proud, pride, strength when united. Every background, every creed and every color. All come together under the same promise. The promise to protect this country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. All who join have accepted this price, this calling. The price of having to leave all behind, to journey to a country where people hate you, and all you stand for. read more

For Whom the Bugle Sounds
by Kevin Hussey Sr.

I know this place, the peaceful Scene,
The stones , the flags, the grass so Green
A warm May sun, a bright blue Sky,
Beneath this ground the Heroes Lie.

They come to this place every Year,
To visit Them. , and shed a Tear
For some were young, and some were Old,
Each with a story that should be Told. read more

For My Son Who Joined The Corps
by Scott Barbour

When my son joined the Marine Corps,
It was such a proud day.
He went from a boy to a man,
The old fashioned Marine Corps way.
We stood as he marched by the stand,
A tear in every eye.
He looked straight ahead and never swayed,
As his father looked toward the sky.
His father asked the Lord above,
To protect his son, the teen.
The Lord told his proud father,
Yes, I’ll protect your Marine.
The Marine Corps is a way of life,
Not just a weekend game.
He joined to serve his country,
Not for money, girls or fame.
Honor, Courage and Commitment,
These aren’t just words to say.
They are the Marine Core values,
That the Marines live every day.
As my son prepares to leave the States,
To go to a distant shore,
Our family will keep praying,
FOR MY SON WHO JOINED THE CORPS. read more