Sgt Grit is a place where Marines can come and meet other Marines, share tattoos and stories, keep up with Marine Corps news, or shop for USMC gear.
Sgt. Grit,
I always enjoy the weekly newsletter and especially the pictures from long ago. I teach US History to 11th graders and thought that you folks might want to see my classroom bulkhead. I use a projector to outline what I want and paint in the rest the best I can. It is a work in progress and I want it to be a tribute to the best of the American Spirit.
Finally found a picture of my best little buddy, "Pig"
The year was 1972, I was asked by a friend of mine to go with him to his brother's house in a small town called Hermosa Beach in northern California. Didn't really want to go at the time. He was a re-enlistee. A Viet nam Vet we called him the old man because he was 32yrs old. It was a hot August day then. I thought I would have a good time that day and get away for a while. I remember he had something that he had to do so I went to the American Legion Post. I was sitting there talking to the other Vets at the bar, they let me drink because they knew I was on Active Duty, so they let me drink there. I remenber an old soldier asked me so you are in the service and I replied yes sir, he asked me what branch, I replied being a Marine with pride "yes sir I am a Marine. We started talking and then things started changing. There was an older woman who looked over at me and said yea big bad ass Marine your damn war doesn't mean a thing. Our war meant something. You guys kill women and children real bad ass aren't you. I remenber telling her, "lady no one wants to go to war and kill another human being. I am only doing as my country asks of me just like your country asked of you during World War II. Things went on like this for awhile, I don't remenber everything I said to her but I do remember the bar tender looking at me and saying John take it easy on her. I looked at the bar tender and said how can you let her talk to me like this, in a place like this. Not one Vet in the whole place ever came to my defense. I am turning into an old man now and I ponder over that day so many years ago. The young Vets nowadays are given the respect they deserve not like the Vets of Viet nam who served or didn't serve. Thank God things have changed. I just started going to the Memorial Day parades, and as I stand there I look over the horizon and I see over 58,000 soldiers looking back at me and waving some with tears in their eyes. Others cheering and saying thanks for remembering us. I walk away with a tear or two in my eyes wondering what those guys might of become in their lives had they lived. I hear them telling me to thank our young men and women in service to our country. I always make it a point to shake the hands of our service men and women, and to the fellas over the horizon a wink comes and says a job well done. Thank God for the USMC. A former Sgt 2/5, 1st Marine Division and GOD BLESS AMERICA.
hey brother,that makes two of us.i would like to have one also.if you would consider making another and if you would pick up all that you need i would be more than happy to send a check plus extra for making it.please let me know.thanks and SEMPER FI
I also fell in love with the USMC Dress Blues, after high school I took Summer vacation, signed up Nov/67. My recruiter talked me into the 120-day delay plan for the holidays. Left on 8/Jan/68, discharged 7/Jan/72. While in at that time they did not give out Dress Blues, you had to buy them; around $400. I could not buy a set, but still loved those Dress Blues. In the middle of 1969 anyone active by 31/Dec/67 were being let out early. Due to the delay plan, I finished up my 4-year tour. I'll always be proud of being a Marine. I have a bulldog tattoo on my left upper arm, Semper Fi on the back of my neck, wear Marine Corps t-shirts year round, leather Marine Corps jacket. Once A Marine, Always A Marine. OOOORAH!
Here's a Marine standing guard, next to a brick wall that had been hit by some sort of explosion, in what appears to be a dress blue uniform. The year was 1911 in Peking, China.
LeRoy A. Townsend
RVN '66-'67
2nd Bn, 3rd Marines
Thought you would get a kick out of this. The guy in the dress is me, the guy in flight gear is my son, LtCol. Jeffries C.O. VMFA-112. The occasion is 112's return from a six month west PAC deployment.
Mike Jefferies
After seeing the photo of the plane over MCRDSD, I got to digging in my photos and found one I shot while I was as going through BES/RFS/Ground Radio Repair. I was in C&E Schools Bn. when I took the photo. We were at the north end of MCRD close to the runway. On foggy mornings we would watch for recruits trying to go AWOL across the runway.
I noticed on your web page was written "The Marines of WWII and Korea were not issued leggings to be worn with utilities." Not so, at least my experience.
My reserve unit was activated in August 1950 and the next month found us at Camp Pendleton, Calif, where we were issued leggings. I have attached a photo showing me and 3 buddies at Tent Camp 2 wearing leggings under our barely visible bloused utilities. From a few photos I have, I am also shown wearing them for formal events with dress greens, but also some times no leggings while in utilities, so I guess they weren't worn for all events.
I appreciated GySgt Rousseau's discussion about the merits of several rifles used by Marines, and that all weapons are just an extension of the proud Marine using them. I have fired most of the small arms used by Marines in the early 70's, including the M16. I have also used the M1 and M14. My opinion as to their relative merits: it depends on the situation. All three are fine rifles. For long work, greater than 300 yards, the M1 or M14 would be my preference. I really did not see much difference in accuracy between the two. One thousand yard shots could be made with confidence. For shorter distances and humping through the boonies, the M16 would be my preference. The lighter weight of the rifle, magazines, and ammo; and shear fire power are obvious advantages.
