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.
Thanks for your publication. I enjoy reading each one from the first to the last article.
Dan (Danny) Roark
USMC Sgt. 1963-67
I stand on the outside, looking in,
I catch just a glimpse of the ghost.
He catches himself before he’s exposed,
Lest he shares that which matters most.
I am Marine mom from here in the city. I wrote a poem about Pride, in honor of my son, daughter and son-in-law all serving in Iraq. I have been encouraged to share with others and I thought of your newsletter.
Honor, courage and commitment as one is Pride
so pure and strong as a stallion at full stride
Its grace and beauty like an eagle soars through the sky
pride that is seen in every Marines eye
So many fates are left unknown
And so many rumors that abound
So many families ask the question
When will the answers be found?
So many years have come and gone
Sometimes, hope is hard to keep
There’s some that feel there’s none
And in some, it’s buried deep.
The towers stood in the morning light
Symbols of America’s wealth and might
Tall and straight and proud they rose
Stronger than any of freedom’s foes
But hate was on the wing that morn
And life is cheap to those who scorn
The ideals Americans hold so dear
These men would have us live in fear
Sgt Grit,
I’m PFC Figueira, I wrote the first poem, Nightly Prayer, when I was in MCT in October. One of my buddies and I wrote it when we got back to Camp Geiger and I had contacted one of our Drill Instructors.
The patriot the soldier,
The young and the old,
Protect our great country.
They stand to be bold.
Some protest in spite,
Some riot in rage,
Some scream “Peace and not war!”
From the safety of their cage.
But we who stand up
For freedom to reign,
Give all that we have,
And expect nothing to gain.
Don’t worry about me, for all is just fine
Getting so short, now just passing the time.
It has been so long, soon it will be so short
Through it all you have been a true sport.
It was easy , by no means for you,
Like me many times, you have been so blue.
A bed of roses, the home-front is not
You’ve had many problems and I have not forgot.
The waiting was harder for you back at home.
With each knok on the door, each ring on the phone.
A strange voice, is that what you’d hear?
Would it bring you joy, would it bring you tears?
So very much different ,not at all like before.
You worried, you waited, you didn’t know the real score.
To God above, I know that you prayed
and your love for me never swayed.
Your prayers almost answered, soon nolonger we’ll pine
I’m coming home soon, am just passing the time.
Our Son, Your MARINE
Hush,hush please don?t cry
(We brought him into this world)
Daddy will sing you a lullaby
Come to Daddy, come on
(We taught him how to walk)
You can do it on your own
Pedal, pedal don?t look down
(We taught him to ride a bike)
You?ve got it. Now turn around.
Splash, kick your feet, kick your feet!
(We taught him how to swim)
That-a-boy! (You are so neat) What a fete.
Swing the bat, swing the bat!
(We taught him baseball)
Home Run! Look at that!
Listen! Do what you are told!
(We took him to Boot Camp)
Graduation, Guide, MARINE BOLD!
Jump, Jump, glide with the wind.
(The MARINES taught him to Parachute)
It?s complete, Time to defend!
Be brave, be cautious, Be kind.
(We taught him that)
We will never leave you behind!
Our Son, Your MARINE
OOHRAH! OOHRAH!
My brother, Gary L. Williams had sent to my mother a letter & a poem in 1966 from Vietnam. He was attached to Special Forces, Nha Trang.
I think it speaks for itself as to how our guys felt most days (and nights). We lost him on Oct. 14th, 2001, at the age of 56. He had just started “coming home” to his family. It took him 30 years to finally realize that he was loved and respected. At least he went with that knowledge….
We fight for what many won’t
Our bodies battle like many don’t
We save lives in the field
Knowing that we may be killed
Freedom is saved by what we do
You don’t understand that it’s all for you
We take the punishment to help the others
Our mission is to save our brothers