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.
Hey Sgt Grit,
We had our 2013 USMC 1st Radio Battalion Reunion in Jacksonville, Florida, this past May… the economy stifled a bunch of our West Coast and Midwestern guys from joining us, but we gained a few more East Coasters, and a great time was had by all… former Sgt Lee Ahr and Linda Reinhart once again led the group by organizing this annual get-together, and their plans were excellent again.
Dear Kristy,
The Marines of 1969, MCRD San Diego, Platoon 1066 met in Branson, MO once again for our fifth annual reunion on 30 May 2013. We were joined by our two Drill Instructors, SSGT Eddie Alley and GYSGT Tony Gatling. The highlight of our four days together was the wedding of DI Gatling and his bride, Cloureen. At the wedding banquet on Saturday night all of the great items so generously donated by SGT GRIT were distributed to the attendees.
Bravo Battery, 1st Bn, 13th Mar, 5th MarDiv, Vietnam Reunion in Mancos, Colorado.
MGYSGT Terry Read 0811
'65-'91
I was at the Island June of 1962 and out posted Sep 13, 1962… I was in Plt 238… our series was 236-237-238 and 239. I was able to find 150 Marines from this series in the last couple of years. About 20 of them have passed away. I worked with 2 other Marine Brothers and we pulled off a reunion at the Island this past April. I would suggest not waiting like we did to do this. This was one of best things that has happened to us in a long time. We had a ball… We spent two days on P.I. and the last day saw a graduation from the other side of the parade deck next to the reviewing stands. The Marines at the Island treated us so good and couldn't do enough for us. It was just great. It had been about 50 years since we had seen each other and we bonded right away. It was one of the best times we could have ask for . We had 27 Marines and and 17 spouses that attented. As you can see we are wearing covers that I brought for our group from Sgt Grit. We bought 37 covers and they did a very nice job on the wording we had done on the back of the covers and treated up right . Thanks to Sgt Grit for all your help. By the way, there are 7 more Marines that missed this group picture due to being at Colors.
It'd been 7 months since I'd seen my fiance. Now, seeing the faint lights in the distance, and wondering if it was them! I had a million butterflies all doing summersaults in my stomach. It was 3 in the morning when their buses drove up, led by tons of motorcycles reving their engines in celebration and to sound to the families that they had arrived! You cant imagine the joy and nerves until you've been there,"my man is home, my man is home"… is all you feel. I was alone with the crowd of strangers, all of us each looking for our loved one.The beating of my chest was going faster now even more than the day I first met Eric as I looked for him among the throngs of people in the darkness. It was like I was holding my breath. Inside me felt somewhat frantic, but on the outside I was calmy looking, walking, and peering through the dark and past the hats that shielded so many faces. I walked one way and turned around fearing he was getting off the bus behind me, so I'd stop and wait and search each face from a distance… I swear I was holding my breath until I saw him. I prayed, "help me find him, help me find him, God." He saw me first, he had been blocked about 20 to 30 people away from me. When I saw him, it was like adrenaline… after all this time I was seeing him again in the flesh. God had brought him home to me! I was not dreaming. Eric, pushed/manuevered his way past dudes and got to me. He found me. We hugged so tightly and again it is the most surreal and amazing experience to be holding my guy again, and feel his chest against me. A lady from the USO snagged this photo of us as soon as he got me. No one needs to be seen, but him. He is my hero, my best friend, and now my husband. I got to wait for him and don't you forget he waited just as long for me! My birthday is tomorrow and the only thing I wish is that I could've been there for his last year… but thats the sacrifice the other half makes. He is selfless and kind, and also tough as nails when he wants to be. But, he is perfect, and I am so glad to have him home again. Thanks for the best birthday and making my wish come true and coming home to me. I love you eternally.
Reunion time, is just around the corner.
I served as an Marine '66-'72, reaching the rank of SGT. This week I will gather with my fellow Marines from Vietnam. I haven't seen most of them since 1967-1968 when we served in HMM-364, Purple Foxes, a CH 46D Squadron out of MCAF, Tustin in Santa Ana, California.
Our Headquarters Company, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division held our 5th reunion the last weekend of April in Washington DC. We have been "gathering" every other year to renew old friendships, and enjoy a few days of awesome fellowship. We have found that using your reunion posting board has actually been helpful with locating men from our company's "tour of duty" in Vietnam. Each time we have gathered your company has shipped us many items from your shop to present to our men, and we wanted to say a special "thank you" for you and your staff's continued service to Marines. See attached photo taken at Iwo Jima Memorial.
Sgt. Grit,
I love your newsletter and have a story for you. The only thing I've
ever won in my life was the draft lottery in 1967 (#67). I was in my
last quarter of college and due to graduate from the University of
Minnesota in Dec '71. My student deferment expired. I stopped by a
Marine recruiter on Lake Street to check my status. We called my
local draft board. I was next on the list…
We have been looking for membersof Plt. 1040, San Diego, July to Sept 1968. And have to date located 51 of the 74. If you're out there contact me. A reunion is being planned. snorpel[at]yahoo.com Stephen Norpel (563) 451-841.
A special Thanks to Max Felser of the 1st Marine Division Association Bodfish Chapter! He has sent our Showroom Director/Reunions Coordinator a few gifts on behalf of the Bodfish Chapter and himself.
He sent hand selected, single barrel Jack Daniels Whiskey, a DVD copy of the 1st Marine Division Association Reunion this year in Portland, OR (in which she also attended) and a signed picture of Tim Matheson from Warner Bros. Studios.
