Category: Proud to be a Marine

MCAS El Toro (kinda sorta)

It is with great sadness I send these photos. Some will recognize some things, but all of the barracks are gone. All of the housing along Tabuco/Irvine Blvd are gone. The first pic would be of the old gate #2 where the F-4 was on the pedestal. I have a story about that for another time… one pic is the old commissary gate and some from where the Main Gate used to be. I am trying to document as much as I can. read more

The Good And The Bad

About two years ago I received a phone call from Jim Kozelouzek, my bunk mate at Parris Island. We were in platoon 321, January 13, 1966. We had neither met nor spoken since graduation. I had orders for FMF WestPac, ground forces and he went to weather school in NJ. After ITR and language school I went to HQ Co, 1st Marines in August 1966. Jim arrived later and deployed from DaNang to Dong Ha. read more

Guarding the Gates

With a very heavy heart I'm sad to say we lost another fine Marine and a lifelong friend.

Sgt. Larry G. Nabb 2373839, of Fort Morgan, CO passed away on June 3, 2013. Larry served three tours of duty in Vietnam. I had the pleasure to serve with Larry from 1968 – 1969. 3rd Marine Div. Hq. Bn. Serv. Co. MT. Quang Tri. Larry is the Marine depicted in the attached Christmas picture that appeared in your Newsletter some time back. read more

3rd 155, 175mm Gun Btry

The 3rd 155/175mm Gun Btry (SP) held its 3rd reunion in Branson, MO this October. Our first time to Branson and we were not disappointed! By far the most military friendly place around. We met up with friends we haven't seen in 45 years. The highlight of the reunion was our unit Banquet and the fun of raffling off the gifts you sent us for our reunion. Thanks for your support and the great products you sell and your great newsletter. I look forward to reading it every week. Keep up the great work! read more

A Late Lunch

On October 23, 2013, I'll celebrate the 50th anniversary of my arrival at MCRD San Diego. In October 1963 I walked from my home in Hillsdale, MI, to City Hall with an idea to enlist in either the Air Force or the Navy. Those two recruiters had taken a late lunch, but the Marine recruiter, a Corporal, invited me to wait for them in his office and have a cup of coffee. While waiting I noticed all the brochures, posters, etc., and asked him about the Marines. I remember him telling me, "Oh no. You came here to see the Air Force and Navy. I'm not going to steal you away from them."  I responded that I wasn't under any obligation to those guys and just wondered what the Marines had to offer. To make a long story short, I enlisted in the Marine Corps and it was, by far, one of the best decisions I've made during my life. read more

Montford Point Marine

I had the distinct honor of attending the 'commitment' services for MGySgt Hosea on 11 October 2013 at the National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC. Although he passed away in Garden Grove, CA, back in June and had a full honors ceremony there he requested that he be moved to Beaufort where an infant daughter was interred in 1961. Nate, as a MSgt E-7, was my NCOIC in Base Electronics at Quantico in the late 50's when I was a Corporal (E-3). He was my 'boss', a mentor, an excellent example, and my friend. He died at age 85 and was a proud Montford Point Marine. He will surely be missed. read more

Modified Blues

On sea duty in the mid-'50s we wore "modified blues", which were trousers with tropical worsted shirt and white barracks cap. All shirts, tropicals and khaki in those days were long-sleeved. I do not recall any particular designation for this uniform, just modified blues. We wore them for some duty situations, and even wore them on liberty in the Virgin Islands in the summer of 1956 (no, we did not attract any). read more