I wore this jacket at a Veteran's Day function in Amherst, Ohio, and received many compliments and requests for the vendor's address. I could hardly refuse, and gladly gave it to them. I hope many responded. It seems that everywhere I go, I get many compliments about it. Thank You very much.
Category: Proud to be a Marine
Proper Honors For A Marine
U.S. Colors Presented in a small private ceremony for Sgt. Dale Stirling, USMC / VIETNAM / deceased.
I have had a bit of difficulty organizing a time for getting together with Mrs. Stirling and presenting her with the United States Colors on behalf of grateful Nation and the Office of the President of the United States.
Bea Arthur & Hollywood Tie -Ties
In the 26 November 2014 news letter, Rusty Norman presented a very convincing argument for Bea Arthur having served in the Marine Corps. I would just like to pass along the evidence which led me to believe that she did not serve in the Corps. She appears to have been a strange lady. It makes me wonder why she would say she had not served in the Corps if she had. The rest of us are proud of our service, why would she not be proud too? I guess we'll never know but note how she changes the subject away from WWII after giving her answer and both she and the interviewer share a little titter.
The 12th General Order
By Ken Zebal
In the early 1960s, 2nd Tank Bn had a well-established fire watch program at the tank park. Generally speaking, two lower-ranking Marines from the flames platoon and each gun company were posted at the tank park inside their respective tool sheds from about 1800 to 0600. I was a PFC at the time and was assigned fire watch for Charlie Company along with Pat Rogers. Pat and I went to boot camp at Parris Island together (Aug-Nov '63) and then to ITR at Camp Geiger (Nov-Dec '63) before reporting into Co "C", 2TkBn (Dec '63) and then going on boot leave. This was my first fire watch and may also have been Pat's. We were nominated by our Platoon Sergeant, S/Sgt "Gunny" Jandrozits, and then hand-selected by the Company Gunny, GySgt Sam Fullerton whose sea bag read like a WWII war novel. After everyone else went on liberty call Pat and I were briefed by the Company Gunny, went to Mess Hall 207 across the street and were issued mid-rats. In those days it was a brown paper sack filled with a sandwich, hard-boiled egg, apple, container of milk and a napkin all lovingly prepared by one of the cooks.
Iwo Jima Marines
This year at Cookies Tavern in South Philadelphia, PA, there were two Iwo Jima Marines that joined with other brother and sister Marines to celebrate our 239th Birthday!
Semper Fi
1954 Ford and 45 Years
I have seen in the past few newsletters, Marines sending pictures of their cars and trucks with items from your store. I have just completed a nut and bolt restoration/customizing of my 1954 Ford F-100. I wanted to have something special made to honor my friends, friends I made 45 years ago in a really ugly hooch. I had the honor and the privilege to be with 11th Marines and living, eating, a tad bit of drinking, and standing watch with Don Whitton, John Gugliotta, and Jim Fuller. We still speak and visit to this day.
Visited Your Warehouse
Dear Sgt. Grit,
My fiance and I visited the warehouse on November 6th. For many years Robert has wanted to visit and to meet Sgt. Grit in person. We loved the shop, his collection, Sgt Grit himself, and the staff made us feel right at home. Thanks for doing all that you do and for being there for your fellow Marines.
USO Shows
In my 27 Years of Service I've seen a lot of USO shows (actually this is the term used for all shows shown to us in a War Zone). Top Actors during the 1920's, 30's, 40's made USO Shows during WWII, most of them went to the European War. I did get to see Bob Hope, Jack Carson and some lesser named Actors, but not often. Now in Vietnam most of the military men were not familiar with this group but the Girls were Pretty with short dresses and did a shimmy or two. This was the Group Al Jolson (WHO?) put together and sent to Vietnam. No l didn't see Al, Jolson was a big hit during the 1920's and 1930's, and he died in the 1950's so he wasn't there, but if you have a Group and a Manager who's still around, they could be sent to perform for us. You can see the guys enjoying seeing the girls.
Vietnam Veteran
Memories of my time in service.
Semper Fi
Cpl D.E. Peterson
1972/1978
Improvised Detector Dog
So Allie was an IDD dog which is an "improvised explosive detector dog" she did 4 combat deployments with Marine units. I was her handler from January 2011 to October 2011. We were deployed to Sangin Afghanistan from late march 2011 to October 19th 2011 with 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. She recently was retired from active duty where I was contacted and adopted her from the IDD program where I had to pick her up in Jackson Springs, North Carolina. Now she's just relaxing and living a dog's life.