I am looking for a yearbook of my bootcamp graduation. I lost mine in a flood. The year was 1989 Nov 17, platoon 2079, H Co 2nd Battalion. If anyone has a copy or has come across a copy and are willing to part with it that would be awesome. Thank you so much and as always SEMPER FI!!
Category: Proud to be a Marine
Gunny OD
I've read many stories about the death a Marine and recounting how they had influenced thier troops by thier examples, deeds etc. At those times I've often thought how much better it might be to let them know how much they are respected while they are still with us. My older brother, Master Gunnery Sgt. Thomas F. O'Donnell ( aka " OD ") is one of those Marines. OD enlisted in the Corps in 1950 and served in the Korean War. He served in many posts and I served under him when he was the Chief Instuctor at radio school Camp Lejuene, and I was a brand new Marine serving with 2ND Tnk Bn. He later served several tours in Nam and during that conflict he became a victim of Agent Orange. He's developed many of the illnesses associated with that chemical. OD is legally blind, suffers from diabetes, heart problems and was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer of the lungs and liver. I know he'd love to hear from any of his old buddies and would be glad to exchange old war stories. He can be contacted at tel.# 252-727-5090. Call him up and make the Gunny's last days a little more enjoyable.
USMC Quilt
This is the quilt my wife has been putting together for me. When complete it will no doubt hang on a huge section of wall. Its the size of a King mattress comforter.
Showing Off My New Truck 2013 Tacoma
Magnets from Sgt. Grit.
Sgt. Jim Cowan USMC 1969-70 Vietnam
Get these Marine Corps car magnets at:
Semper Fi #1
I would like to add a few words about the Dress Blues issue that has been discussed in the last few newsletters.
I belong to a group called Semper Fi #1. We are committed to rendering military honors for veterans and their families at Riverside National Cemetery here in Riverside, Ca. We have approximately 60+ members and have done thousands of services in our 16 years of existence. We are at the cemetery 3 times a month and do about 20-25 services each month.
Blues
Just because I'm not big on Blues doesn't mean I'm not big on the Corps. I have a Marine Corps emblem on my car, various Marine covers, a desert cammie utility jacket and a boonie hat, among other things.
I even have a Marine Corps Zippo and coffee cups so don't think I'm not proud of being a Marine. H-ll, I even got our new grandson a rubber ducky in Dress Blues for his bath from Sgt. Grit. He tries to bite the head off, just like a real Marine.
Ka-Bar
The Ka-Bar (1219C2 MK-II Knife, Fighting and Utility) was designed and first issued during the early portion of WWII. The MK-II was manufactured by several cutlery companies which in addition to Ka-Bar (Union Cutlery Co.) included Camillus Cutlery, Pal Cutlery and Case to name a few. Regardless of the brand name, they became consistently referred to as the "Ka-Bar" (similar to Kleenex).
It Adds Class
Thought you would like to see some of your stuff on my truck. It adds class.
Semper Fi!
JE Bock SgtMaj USMC (Ret)
8″ SP M110
I saw R. Boyer's letter about the 175 long toms. That was ok for scaring someone but when you care enough to send the best 8" M110 200lbs round 17 KM on target… The most accurate round at the time, '73-'77.
Iron Mike 3/12, 1st 8" Plt, Thunder of the Far East.
Prosthetic Artwork
After reading this story: "Marine comes in for brace and wants to know if he can have T-Shirt art work put on the brace." I wanted to share this.
I asked the guys at The James A. Haley VA Hospital Prosthetic Dept. in Tampa, FL., if they could take my black T-Shirt with The Marine Corps Emblem and The "Walking Dead" 1st BN. 9th Marines logo, and put it on my new left leg. I was in Vietnam in early '69 with the 1/9.