Where Are You Going

Dear Sgt. Grit,

Recently my mother in law was cleaning out some drawers and came across some of my father in laws things. (My father in law has been dead many years now). In it was a laminated code of honor, an old chauffeurs license and this poem my husband had sent him from Viet Nam. It came from a military news paper they had when he was over there. I want to share it with you. read more

What Do You Say

What Do You Say
GSW

What do you say to a combat vet
When it comes to Memorial Day?
Have a ……happy?…a safe?…a sad?…a memorable?
None of those words can convey…

The emotions inside them….held in check, with the
memories and faces of brothers that gave all.
A human being…not a name that?s written upon a wall.
a life…..not a word that?s spoken at honor roll call. read more

What Did We Do To Deserve This?

What Did We Do To Deserve This?
submitted by MGySgt Ralph Hoffman (Retired)

Below the Manchurian boarder, Korea is the spot
We are doomed to spend our lives in a place God forgot
Through the paddies with our weapons, digging foxholes with a pick
Doing the work of a gosh darn Mule, to damm tried to kick
We sweat, we swear, we freeze, it is more than we can stand
We are really not convicts, we are defenders of our land
We are the troops of The Corps, earning our measly pay
Guarding our Country’s millions, for a lousy $ 4 a day
Living with our memories, wanting to see our best girl
Hoping to see her, before she marries our best pal
Nobody knows we are living, nobody gives a damm
Back home we are soon forgotten, as the nephews of Uncle Sam
When we climb that final mountain, right up to that Golden Bell,
St. Peter will say, “Welcome MARINES you served your time in hell!” read more

Welcome Home poem

I had a woman on one of my MOM boards ask for a Welcome Home poem from a Marine Mom to Marine… I became inspired as I never EVER again want another military member to come back and not feel WELCOMED HOME… I always tell every VET I meet, Welcome Home and give them a huge hug… ya know… Marines are required to give Marine Moms hugs, and once a Marine / Marine Mom always a Marine / Marine Mom… my son is with the 3/5 and will be home within the month… and I wanted to share this with you… if you feel its good enough to share with the world, you have my permission to use it on your site.

Welcome Home
By: Marge Reich

Welcome Home, my Hero, my boy, my Son
You’ve been through a lot, of this I’m assured.
For both of us it’s been a very long time
The good of what you’ve done yet to be heard.

I watched you as you gathered
the things you would need
Seeing your excitement,
innocence glowing in your eyes
Not wanting you to do this,
not wanting you to grow up
I sat in your room, biting my lip,
saying our goodbyes read more

A Warrior’s Return

A Warrior’s Return
By: Anonymous

No Fences Which Contain this Weathered Word Man,
Broken, The Chains lays Before me, Buried Beneath
the Talcum Powdered sand.

Gone, Now are these Dreams Dreamt, Though I still
Awake in Cold Sweats, In My Home.

WHO ELSE FEELS THIS WAY???

I know I’m not alone, My boots now Track in mud
from the City Streets, and My body is Wiped clean,
Clear of a land that is Forsaken In the Eyes of
the Lord. read more

War – People Say

War
by David McArthur

People say that we don't need it.
They say that there are other ways that we can solve conflicts in the world.
Freedom isn't free.
Freedom can not come without sacrifice.
Freedom can not come without putting an end to the source of the problem.
As long as there is fear in the world or anything that would cause someone to not have freedom of speech, religion, democracy, or any other freedom, then there has to be sacrifice!
I will give my life against anyone who opposes the thought of taking those freedoms from any man, woman or child.
War should not be used to murder.
War is not murder.
War is a tool used to solve world problems or conflicts.
The times of conquering the world are in the past.
War will not be used in that way, only to solve.
People say that now there is the fear of the nuclear power of countries.
There should be no need for nuclear.
There should be peace.
No peace without sacrifice!
Treaties get broken.
Promises don't get kept.
Deals get worked around.
There is only one way to solve the problem of no peace.
Humans shouldn't live in fear.
Humans should not be enslaved.
Humans should be free!
War is the way!
Inflict the fear of your country into every intolerant around the world.
Let them know that if they plan on ruling by fear and murder, that they are greatly mistaken!
I myself will do everything in my power to make sure that every single place the Marine Corps. takes me is free and without fear!
If my blood shall be shed in order for that to happen, I hope they take every last drop!
Freedom is not Free!
There is no Peace without Sacrifice! read more

War – A Little Sister

War
Bethany Sisk

I sit and try not to cry
It's my brother thats there to fight.
He protects me and my rights
thats why he fights.
You protest not to go to war
Thats what he fights for.
He wakes not knowing if he'll live
but his life he is willing to give.
Its our flag my brother stands for
Thats why he went to war.
For us to excerise our rights
Thats why my brother fights.
My brother is there to fight
Think of that next time your excercise your rights. read more

Poem of a Visit to the Vietnam Memorial

Sgt. Grit—
My brother, S/Sgt USMC James Dessert, sent me this poem. Jim lives in the Rocky Hill, CT VA home where his friend, S/Sgt USMC Thomas Schick was living until his recent death. Jim tells me that S?Sgt Schick completed three tours of duty in Viet Nam 1966-67-68-69 and fought in the battle of Ka-San 1968. read more