Category: Proud to be a Marine

Oldest Living Marine In United States

Oak Crest Celebrates the 237th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps

Resident Acknowledged as Oldest Former Marine in United States
Participates in Cake Cutting Tradition

Baltimore, MD – In 2010, former Marines who live and work at Oak Crest retirement community in Baltimore, Maryland, decided to celebrate the 235th anniversary of the founding of the United States Marine Corps. They did it by carrying forth the tradition of the cake-cutting ceremony in which the first slice of cake is given to the oldest Marine present, who in turn hands it off to the youngest Marine present. The custom symbolizes the experienced Marines passing their knowledge to a new generation. read more

Sea Shell Trails

After returning from MCRD Parris Is. I visited an old WWI Marine and we talked about the Island , the heat, etc. So at one point I mentioned in the middle of the PT field were sea shells, and wondered how the got so far inland. To my suprise he started telling me about when they "built" PI and they hauled wheel barrows full of shells to be used for pathways around the island. So now we know where the damn things came from that cut our hands as we did leg thrusts and pushups. read more

MCRD San Diego

In the photo are MCRD Commanding General, Gen Daniel Yoo, Christoper Edwards, and the CG's Aide. Christopher is the young man that began the Huddle Up for Heroes organization that sends care packages and Hero Bands to all deployed troops.

On 1 Nov 2012, Christopher and his mother Denise were at the Sgt Grit headquarters and where they received donations and were given some Sgt Grit t-shirts. The t-shirt that Christoper is wearing in the photo is one of the shirts that is available at Sgt Grit. read more

Honor Flight

Hi Sgt. Grit,   I had the great privilege to go on the MO. Honor Flight on Nov. 6th, this year, is one of the best days I ever had. This is a picture of a WWII Iwo Jima Veteran I met and was lucky enough to get a picture with this Marine and at this spot. There were 67 Veterans on this flight and only six Marines. It was a honor to get to know him. His name is Ralph Dobbs and he is 92 years old. He told me he could still get into his old uniform. He walked all over that day on his own, just like a Marine. I wish all Veterans can make this honor flight, be sure to put in an application in your state. You will never regret it or forget it. I even got him to autograph my hat.   Semper Fi Sgt. Bob Holmes, 78 years old  

Dai Do

LCpl. Thomas Moore's Company Commander, Capt. Jay Vargas and Capt. Jim Livingston another Company Commander of BLT 2/4, were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor while serving under Battalion Commander, LtCol. Bill Weise. There is a series of YouTube videos narrated by BGen. Weise describing the Dai Do battle beginning with "Battle of Dai Do Part 1". Attached are b&w photos of the aforementioned Captains Vargas (L) and Livingston (R). read more

D-mn Fine Officer

Dear Sgt. Grit,

I read Thomas Moore's account of his Company C.O. getting him a new shirt. Like so many stories here, this one strikes a chord.

Having completed infantry ITR in early 1969, I was sent on to pick up the "11" on my 0311 at Camp Horno (part of the Camp Pendleton complex), further up into the hills. Field jackets were not individual issue and the first day I was in line to get mine, our Company Commander pulled me out of line. He was a 2ndLt. Only one that I ever saw stateside who wasn't back off wounds or former enlisted. read more