This picture was taken in front of the 1st Recruit Training Battalion Headquarters, On May, 19th, 2015, fifty years to the day, that I graduated Boot Camp. SgtMaj Molina, (3rd from left), the SgtMaj of 1st Bn., had the D.I.s from Charlie Co. (that was my company in P.I. with Plt 119) take this picture with me, 1stSgt Lytle, the 1stSgt of Charlie Co. is on the end, he's holding my platoon graduation book. Plus me being a Viet Nam Vet, I was treated with the utmost respect. The SgtMaj, made a copy of my platoon's graduation picture, and hung it up in the Battalion conference room, so, if anyone from Plt 119, goes to visit Parris Island, and goes to the 1st Bn HQ, they'll see our Platoon Picture on the wall.
Category: Proud to be a Marine
Late Arrival At MCRDSD
All the letters about boot camp and DI's have me on memory lane of late. Of course my favorite is waking up after the late arrival at MCRDSD. I'm guessing we hit the rack about 3:00 AM and reveille was at 4:00 AM. My first thought upon waking was I've really messed up this time, only messed up was not the exact term I used. Funny, I remember thinking the same thought before we hit the rack.
Reading His Favorite Catalog
What a pleasure it is to know MSgt Burris and really his entire family. When MSgt gets a visit from his granddaughter, Amanda, we are sure to see him here at Sgt Grit. He knows his way around our store. He goes right to the products he wants to see, he stops and visits the desks of the employees that he has not seen since his last visit and he is sure to stop in and line out Sgt Grit for a moment. There is nothing like watching two Marines rib each other all in good fun and camaraderie. We are missing MSgt Burris already and we count the days until he visits us again. A big Semper Fi to you MSgt Burris! Come see us.
50 Years Ago
50 Years Ago
I raised my hand and swore an oath
I rode the bus to MCRD
I stood on the yellow footprints
I had all my hair cut off
I was assigned to a platoon – #3007
I wallowed in the sand pit
I cleaned the heads
I did mess duty
I did squat thrusts until I dropped
I got yelled at day and night
I ran PT courses until I was strong and able
I polished my brass and boots until they shined
I read and re-read my little red notebook
I drilled until the D.I’s cadence was embedded in my brain
I double timed wherever I went
I fired my M 14 in the rain-and hit what I was aiming for
I learned what it meant to stand for something
I learned how to be part of a team
I stood at attention and was finally called a Marine
That was then and this is now – and I’m still a Marine
Visions Of Nam
Here is a booklet that was issued to me upon my arrival in APRIL of '68. I had forgotten about it until I was going through my stuff. It's been so long I don't remember if I had read it, then well, I started to read it and laugh but stopped stared at the wall and had visions of Nam in my mind from so long ago. My new unit was FLC 1st FSR TrkCo.
Plt 246 PISC, 1958
Anyone from plt. 246 PISC, April/July 1958? Gimme a shout at johnbolan[at]hotmail.com.
John Bolan
Cpl. 1958-1962
Courage Under Fire
Article by Pete Mecca
CovNews
More than one Leatherneck would agree, it's befitting that a young man from Montezuma chose to join the United States Marine Corps. The month was November, the year 1965, the man: Eli Fobbs.
"I remember basic at Camp Lejeune," Fobbs said. "Back then the Corps didn't play around. They'd insult your momma, sister your wife; shoot, those guys would bust your nose and scare you to death. It didn't take me long to believe I'd joined the wrong organization."
Windward Marine 08 June 1962
A little history from the "Windward Marine" the base newspaper for Kaneohe MCAS. I was stationed there in VMA 212 from 1961 to 1963.
Norm Spilleth
1960 – 1964
My Battlefield Cross
The attached pictures are from a Memorial that I put up in my front yard every Memorial Day and Veterans Day as a tribute to my fallen brothers. My "Battlefield Cross"… (with the helmet, weapon, dog tags and boots of a fallen Marine/Soldier/Airman/Sailor…) are very special to me… I started doing this in my front yard many years ago but just never really shared it. Only the neighbors and people who drove by would stop and look and take pictures… And then I would take about 60/70 pictures just to find the perfect one to print and save.
Humble Contribution
The attached photo is my humble contribution to all my brother and sister MARINES who have had the honor to claim the TITLE. Many have given the last full measure of devotion to that TITLE and many more have served HONORABLY. Two especially are remembered by me as I served with both of them. G/Sgt John D. Wysemierski and Capt Lawrence Jordan, both of whom are on the WALL. This is my permission for you to use this photo as it copywrighted. Thank you Sgt Grit for Service in Vietnam and your devotion to our Brother ans Sister MARINES.