Sgt Grit is a place where Marines can come and meet other Marines, share tattoos and stories, keep up with Marine Corps news, or shop for USMC gear.
After finishing his second Boston Marathon five years ago, Maj. Ken Parisi, a logistics specialist at Marine Corps Systems Command, wanted to tackle a new challenge – triathlons.
He has completed four full-distance 140.6-mile races and 10 half-distance 70.3-mile races. He said this passion for triathlons gave him confidence and made him a better Marine.
Two U.S. Marines, two U.S. Sailors and a Philippine Marine came to the assistance of a local Filipino motorcyclist who was pinned underneath his vehicle as a result of an accident in Ternate, Cavite, Philippines, around 3 p.m. Tuesday.
The Marines that responded to the injured local national, Bryan S. Rodriguez, were part of 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, deployed to the Philippines in support of exercise KAMANDAG 2.
Planning for the 2019 Mustang Muster/Reunion is underway and will be held in Branson MO 17-22 Sept 2019. This will be a joint Muster/Reunion with 2nd and 3rd MarDiv Associations. Details are in work as this is being written so check back often for more details and mark your calendar TODAY! For specific questions feel free to connect with our Business Manager by calling (703) 349-0893 or visit our website below. We hope you will join us…
Had to laugh at the saluting story. In 1971 I was an E4 aide to a Colonel at Marine Barracks NAD. We lived with the Navy in their barracks this is when they put beer machines in the barracks. As Marines we could not drink in the our barracks . The day they put the beer machines in my buddies asked me to ask the colonel since we lived with the Navy could we drink in the barracks. He said I guess when in Rome do as the Romans do. We got off of work and played that beer machine like a t v those Olys went down easy. About 4 am I was awakened by the sgt of guard telling me the colonel and Sgt Major were going to leave to go inspect West Loch and Waikele attachments then on to Kaneohe for business. They wanted to leave around 0630, lucky for me the Colonel was delayed and did not leave until 0800 gave me some more time to sober up. We got a couple of miles down the road had to pull over told Colonel had to check engine sounded like it was running rough popped the hood and threw up pretty bad. Got back in went a little further tried to pull same stunt but the Colonel an Sgt Major both got out, they thought it sounded great. The Colonel told me to get in the back with Sgt Major because he would drive , he knew what was going on by how green I was. Since we were running late we went straight to Kaneohe got to the gate you should have seen the MP’s all salute this E4 that was sitting in the back seat being driven by a full bird Colonel. Colonel Harry L Alderman and Sgt Major Sam Zavodny true Marines that took care of their men. These men made a life long impression on me .
Ditto US MCRD PI Plts’ 153 and 155 Shot 189, how embarrassing for one who was an avid hunter and never missed. Lucked out at ITR however and while home on boot leave my mother sewed on that first stripe. Served/Stayed in the “GunClub” for just over 20. Now serve Jesus, ordained and still active. Oh by the way expert rifle and pistol badges hang on the wall with my jump wings, AO wings, and gold leaf collar emblems. SemperFi!
As a new 2nd Lt with the 12th Marines at Mt Fuji, I was assigned to an infantry company as an forward observer. I asked my senior Lts in the battery what should I being doing with the grunts. They told me just to stay close to the Captain and he will let you know what he wants. I stayed with the captain for about 5 miles into a hike when he turned to me and asked “Lt where are we “? My answer was “I don’t know I am following you”. After that I always knew where we were…….
I came home for my first leave after MCRDPI plt 147 and ITR in 1961. My uncle, a 1st Sgt in the Army was also home on leave. He asked me if I would care to go bowling with him and I agreed and also suggested we wear our uniforms, no problem. I had fired 189 at the rifle range with 190 being minimum to qualify which assured me that I would leave PI as a E-1 slick sleeve. So while climbing the steps of Sammy White’s Bowling Alley near my home in Newton, Massachusetts we met 2 young soldiers on their way out. They looked at the seasoned 1st Sgt with many hash marks and then at the young guy with no stripes and decided this must be an officer and saluted me. You can imagine the response from my uncle Roy, he might could’ve made Gunny in the Marines.
Truth or Not?
San Diego
An American Marine injured during the Second World War and stuck in a deep coma ever since, has finally regained consciousness this Monday at the Naval Medical Center (NMCSD). James Hill, a 95-year old former Sergeant who is decorated with two purple heart medals and a Navy Cross, was severely injured by the explosion of an artillery shell during the battle of Iwo Jima, on the 27th of February 1945. Doctors had been able to miraculously save his life, but the shock was so violent and the brain damage was so severe, that they thought he was condemned to remain inert for the rest of his life.
As a Marine Vietnam vet, I had a somewhat different experience than Gary Neely. I got out of the Corps in 1968 to go into politics and, I thought, fix things. (Okay, I was pretty naive at 22.) At Mount Wachusetts Community College, I ran twice for student council and then for council president, and, though I didn’t have a group of high school friends there going in, I won every time. I used pictures of me in Vietnam on my posters. At the University of Massachusetts, I decided at the last minute to run for the student senate, on write-ins, against a kid who had lived in the dorm for a year. I won. I never hid that I was a vet.
I just read in The Purple Heart magazine that a Marine Vietnam Vet had received a Silver Star for action while serving with “D” Co. 1st Bat.3rd Marines He was given the award at a ceremony hosted by the National Museum of The Marine Corps.The award was presented to L/Cpl Raymond Kelley on 18-May-2018 exactly 51 years after the action.On 18-May-1967 Kelley was a machine gun team leader when his unit was tasked with to provide relief to a pinned down unit.His team began to receive heavy fire and took multiple casualties.Disregarding his own safety he repeatedly placed himself in the open to assist the wounded Marines and help them to the platoon command post where they could receive medical attention and while ignoring his own wounds continued to fight until the enemy disengaged.It did not say where this took place maybe someone reading this has more detail.Anyway congrats LCpl Kelley wherever you are and,as always well done and SEMPER FI!! Harry
