Category: Patriotic

4 Generations of Military Service

Originally posted on CNN site by my cousin Carolann Sharpe   

I wish to honor my son and husband for their uncommon and remarkable serves to our country. My son, Joseph Charles Sharpe recently graduated from Parris Island USMC Basic Training 3rd Batt. Kilo Company and has begun his career as a fourth generation Marine. Four generations ago, Joe's Great Grandfather was at Parris Island in KIlo Comp. His grandfather Charles Sharpe served as a US Marine. Joe's Father, My husband of 24 years, John M Sharpe, served in Desert Storm with 1st Tank Batt. 1st Marine Div and has served in Maryland National Guard and is currently a Staff Sgt in the Maryland Air National Guard as well as a Homeland Security Policeman. John has been away from his family for 3 to 8 months every year since 2007, including two 8 month deployments to Afghanistan. Joe's mom and three younger brothers could not be prouder of their father and brother's contribution to our country. Family friend Staff Sgt David Cook came to the Graduation to celebrate Joseph's accomplishment. I am so proud of my husband, my son and all the members of our family and friends that continue to selflessly give their all to the military. read more

Semper Fi #1

I would like to add a few words about the Dress Blues issue that has been discussed in the last few newsletters.

I belong to a group called Semper Fi #1. We are committed to rendering military honors for veterans and their families at Riverside National Cemetery here in Riverside, Ca. We have approximately 60+ members and have done thousands of services in our 16 years of existence. We are at the cemetery 3 times a month and do about 20-25 services each month. read more

Don’t Disrespect the Dress Blue Uniform

About a year ago (Jan 2013) I stop at a truck stop in northern Illinois and was having dinnerwith a few other truckers. Two fellows came in and sat down to get some dinner. (they were not truckers). One was dressed in the Army’s dress green coat and the chevrons were placed upside down. The other was wearing the Marine Corps Dress Blue Coat and his Sgt chevron’s were also on upside down. I was wearing my Marine Corps Ball cap and a few others were wearing their colors. I asked the fellow with the Dress Blue Coat if he was a Marine? He replied no but my brother was. I asked the other fellow if he had been in the Army? He said “no I got this from a Military Surplus Store”. As I got up from my seat and started toward those two I told them that they were going to have to remove those jackets. We don’t play that kind of sh!t here. I told them that “I’m a proud Veteran of the Marine Corps and You’re disrespecting and that's offending me… now you can take off that Coat or I’ll do it for you.” A few of the other truckers stood up too along with both of the boys. The one with the Dress Blue Coat got right in my face and said I’m not taking it off and you better not touch me or you’re going to jail.. As he started to turn toward the door he lost his balance I caught his fall by grabbing the leather neck collar he was wearing and the side of the coat. He spun around as he continued to fall and his arm came out of the coat. I pulled a little harder to try to help him regain his balance and the other arm came out. Thus I had the coat in my hand and his asz was on the floor. I tossed the coat to a chair nearby and then turned and looked at the boy with the Army Coat on. I paused and just looked at him; it didn’t take 2 seconds for him to get that coat off. The fellow behind him said to the boys “I think it’s time for you two to go before this gets ugly”. Now that’s what we all told the police when they arrived. The Coats got misplaced somehow because they were missing. After the two boys left the cops stood there for a few seconds and reminded us that regardless of our intensions they had the right to wear those coats if they choose. I told the cop just because it’s legal don’t make it right. He stood there for awhile until those boys were gone. Look at me smiled and said “Semper fi!” shook my hand and then left. If we as Marines don’t make a stand when disrespected then we were never Marines to start with. But make sure you CYA. read more

Sorry Daddy

Many of you know I bleed Garnet and Gold, but before I became a rabid FSU fan I was and still am a very patriotic person. As an Army brat I was taught from the get go just what it meant to be an American, and just what our servicemen went thru to make sure all our US citizens could live free. Then in the 60s, Vietnam happened and not only did my Daddy go to Vietnam (twice, got a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for saving his whole group of men he was in charge of), but friends I went to HS with and many other young men including my U.S. Marine Corps husband. read more

Home Again

It'd been 7 months since I'd seen my fiance. Now, seeing the faint lights in the distance, and wondering if it was them! I had a million butterflies all doing summersaults in my stomach. It was 3 in the morning when their buses drove up, led by tons of motorcycles reving their engines in celebration and to sound to the families that they had arrived! You cant imagine the joy and nerves until you've been there,"my man is home, my man is home"… is all you feel. I was alone with the crowd of strangers, all of us each looking for our loved one.The beating of my chest was going faster now even more than the day I first met Eric as I looked for him among the throngs of people in the darkness. It was like I was holding my breath. Inside me felt somewhat frantic, but on the outside I was calmy looking, walking, and peering through the dark and past the hats that shielded so many faces. I walked one way and turned around fearing he was getting off the bus behind me, so I'd stop and wait and search each face from a distance… I swear I was holding my breath until I saw him. I prayed, "help me find him, help me find him, God." He saw me first, he had been blocked about 20 to 30 people away from me. When I saw him, it was like adrenaline… after all this time I was seeing him again in the flesh. God had brought him home to me! I was not dreaming. Eric, pushed/manuevered his way past dudes and got to me. He found me. We hugged so tightly and again it is the most surreal and amazing experience to be holding my guy again, and feel his chest against me. A lady from the USO snagged this photo of us as soon as he got me. No one needs to be seen, but him. He is my hero, my best friend, and now my husband. I got to wait for him and don't you forget he waited just as long for me! My birthday is tomorrow and the only thing I wish is that I could've been there for his last year… but thats the sacrifice the other half makes. He is selfless and kind, and also tough as nails when he wants to be. But, he is perfect, and I am so glad to have him home again. Thanks for the best birthday and making my wish come true and coming home to me. I love you eternally. read more

Recruiter’s Day

On 3 May 2013, Bismarck, ND area Marines held their 3rd Annual Recruiter's Day. This was coincidental with Military Appreciation Month. This was started three years ago to show some support for the recruiters. As most recruiters are not stationed near their home of record much less a Marine installation of any sort. So they are really stuck somewhere between Stick and Stump. The closest military installation is Minot Air Force Base. Once again, this was a Marine instituted, hosted, and dominated event. read more