Category: Poems

The Embers Glowed Softly
provided by LCDR Jeff Giles

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. read more

In memory of Cpl James L Moore

Our son was killed in a helicopter crash along with 30 others enroute to Rutbah, Iraq to provide security immediately prior to the elections in Iraq. He, and his brothers had survived the worst of the fighting during the takeover of Fallujah and was anxious to head back to the states as soon as the elections were over, for some much deserved leave time. We received the news of his death after watching details of the copter crash all day over the news networks. We will never forget the horror we felt as we heard someone at the door and opened it to three Marines in their dress blues. “We regret to inform you…” is all I remember as the pain sank in. Our community gave James a beautiful memorial service and our governor, an ex-marine himself, gave a moving talk during the eulogy. Oregon has lost a very valuable asset, CPL James L Moore gave allhe truly believed in what the US was doing in Iraq and was very proud of the job the Marine Corps was performing. Please post this poem that was a gift to us by a lyrics writer. He was inspired to write it after seeing this picture of James. The photo was a gift to the family from Jerome Sessini, a photographer embedded with James’ unit during the Battle of Fallujah. I think James would be proud for us to note that during that battle he was dubbed “Mighty Moore” by his brothers fighting alongside him as a tribute to the challenges he faced and helped bring them through. We would love to share the attached photo and poem with all that have supported us through this period of loss and pride. read more

Dear Sgt. Grit, I’ve been reading your newsletters for a while now. Some letters bring tears and some bring great joy and pride. My son went thru bootcamp back in October of 2006. Two weeks into it, he wondered what the heck he did, but by week 4, things started to settle in as to what was expected from him. I think EVERY kid in America should go thru the Marines bootcamp. I think our society would be way better as a result. I am darn proud of my son’s drill instructors. If it weren’t for them, he wouldn’t be the man he is today. They do more for our sons and daughters then we will ever know. I wrote them a poem and sent it to my son’s SDI upon my son’s graduation from Echo Co. Plt 2026 to let him and his team know how GREATLY THEY ARE APPRECIATED! read more

THE AMERICAN DREAM
By: Sergeant Aaron M. Gilbert

Through all the fires,
Through all the pain,
The Marines stand tall,
To fight once again.

Always on call,
The Presidents own.
Always fighting,
To protect our home.

My life for our freedom,
My freedom to you,
These are gifts that we give,
For the Red White and Blue. read more

A quick ditty
Chris Madeira

Semper Fl
Marine am I
Fashioned by my DI
San Dye-ego or P1
Gal or guy, bold or shy
Float or fly, sea or sky
Wet or dry, head held high
Eye to eye — do or die
Sailor boy or ex-GI
Family or no such tie
Marching private
Quiet corpsman
Even so called
Sea-going doorman
Far or nigh
Curse or sigh
None deny
Sir, aye aye
Marine am I
Semper Fi
!
SAL PARLATO Jr
(aka Chris Madeira) read more

Sent in by Dana Harp, Marine Wife

We just received your new catalogue and as usual my husband (Gary Harp) has been through it several times wishing for the money to buy all of his wishes and wants and muttering long poetic diatribes of profanity that only old Marine Corps drill instructors can do justice because there was “not one “God )&^%&, mother &%%%&^%, *^%* sucking, *&$% licking, piece of *&%^ *&#$% in the whole God (*^&(, %$(#@, book that says Combat Disabled or Useless )(^^&* Crippled Piece of *%^* > Marine.” read more

A Different Christmas Poem
Provided by LCDR Jeff Giles

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. read more

Marine Corps Poems
Del Abe Jones

A MARINE BIRTHDAY
(November 10)

Eight years after they were formed
At the end of the Revolutionary War
All the Navy?s ships were sold
Marines and Sailors were no more.

Then, in Seventeen ninety-eight
The Marines once more came to be
And they fought Barbary pirates
Along the ?Shores of Tripoli?. read more

Dedicated to the U.S. Marines
by Bob Denny

You can have your army khaki,
You can have your navy blue,
But there's still another fighter
I'll introduce to you.

His uniform is different,
The best you've ever seen,
The enemy, calls him devil-dog,
But his real name is Marine. read more

Dear Sir,

I happened to run across this poem on your site and found it interesting that Bob Denny claimed to have seen this poem in the 40’s. It so happens that I wrote this poem (Somewhat different version) in 1968 while under going training in Camp Lejune, NC where in fact we made it our company song and used it as we marched through the base in Charlie company. I did in fact copyright my version of the poem and I am attaching a copy of same with this email. I am not trying to discredit anyone nor do I wish to make a big deal of this issue. I do request that you add my version of the poem and to maybe suggest it is an updated version written in 1968 if you like.Your time is greatly appreciated on this matter. Semper Fi (USMC 1968-1971) Please advise if you receive this attachment. read more