Category: Reunions

Reunion Story

Not as lean, not as mean, but still Marines (Ops Plt, Hq Btry 3/11 Reunion)
They converged on the Windy City like 155mm rounds for a final protective fire (FPF). Coming from far and wide, the Artillery Marines of Operations Platoon 3/11 “fired for effect” August 24 – 26 in Chicago to re-establish old friendships, swap sea stories and have a grand time. The Marines, the majority of whom are veterans of the war in Somalia, formed up at their downtown barracks (hotel) Friday afternoon where they were met by the welcoming committee and enjoyed some refreshments. read more

All Arizona Marine Corps Reunion 2012

Sgt. Grit

Would like to thank you for all the raffle/door prizes you donated as well as gear we bought, or you provided for our Reunion July 6/7/8th 2012 In Prescott, AZ. I was one of the lucky winners on the drawing and received your D2 Extreme Utility Ka-Bar! With stand! Thanks for all you do for fellow Marines. I have personally been a loyal Sgt. Grit customer for a dozen years or so now. read more

Battery K, 4th Battalion, 13th Marines Reunion

From May 2-6, the Battery K, 4th Battalion 13th Marines Reunion association held our third reunion at Wilmington/Camp Lejeune, NC.

On 3 May we visited Camp Lejeune and the 10th Marines where we were hosted by the Regimental Commander, Col Hall, the Regimental Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major Zhorne, the Regimental Artillery Chief, Master Gunnery Sergeant Martin, and a number of Marines from the Regiment. The 10th Marines put on a static display of current Marine Artillery at the Legacy Artillery Park, including the M777 155MM howitzer, and the 120MM Expeditionary Fire Support System. After lunch at Ball Hall, we visited the Camp Lejeune War Memorial.   On 4 May, we visited MCAS New River, where we were hosted by VMMT-204, the V-22 Osprey training squadron. We were given a through tour and briefing of the capabilities of the Osprey. In the afternoon, we visited the battleship USS North Carolina in Wilmington.   After our banquet and raffle on 5 May, we all headed home. Planning is already in the works for a reunion at Ft. Sill, OK in 2014.   Battery K, 4th Battalion 13th Marines was a 155MM Sell-propelled Howitzer Battery, and was activated in 1966 as part of the 5th Marine Division, at Camp Pendleton, CA. The battery went to Okinawa, and then into the Republic of Viet Nam and provided artillery fire support for both the 1st, and 3rd Marine Divisions from the DMZ to Southern I Corps. In addition, the battery served with 1st Field Artillery Group, where it provided fire support for units of the U. S. Army, in particular the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division. The battery was de-activated in 1970 as part of the Viet Nam drawdown. The reunion association is made up of those Marines who served with the battery during its time in before and while in Viet Nam and their families.   Semper Fi, Tom Gafford

MSgt. Thomas A. Gafford USMC (Ret.)

Photos C-1-1, Then & Now

Noticed the photo of Captain William Simpson of C-1-1 on the September cover. And his actions in July 2010.

In September 2010 the past of C-1-1, Korea had a reunion in San Diego. A prelude to the reunion had contact with the present C-1-1 and with the battalion commander and Captain Simpson, it was arranged for the PAST to meet the present. We were bussed to Pendleton and as we arrived, (in what I remember as tent camp 2) we were met by the total of Charlie Company, with all the weapons and motor transport they presently utilize. Off-boarding the buses, we got to meet all of them, intermingling with, questioning about the weapons, etc.. This started about 10:30 a.m., and lasted tell lunch time, which we were ushered to the chow hall and had lunch with the total group. After lunch, back to the grinder & some went to 'Pullers Post' a remaining Quonset hut, that was our barracks in '50. After that we all met at the company formation outside their 3 story barracks. Said goodbye, with thanks all the way around. As we had boarded the buses, Captain Simpson came on board, both, and to all the PAST C-1-1, he gave us the coins they had made, as you can see, passing from his hand to all of us, with his personal THANK YOU, to all. read more

MCRD San Diego 1969 PLT 1066 Reunion

The Marines of MCRD San Diego 1969 Platoon 1066 held our 4th annual reunion in Branson, MO this past weekend.  It was a great success.  What made it especially memorable was the generous donation of merchandise from SGT GRIT.  Your USMC goodies were the highlight of our banquet and the reunion.  Everyone got T-Shirts, pens, magnetic decals, catalogues, etc.   We even put together a 50 question "boot camp" quiz for the guys to take that Sgt. Grit himself would have been proud of (he may want to take it too).  The top two scorers were awarded the books you provided.  Two of our former Drill Instructors attended and one of them, Tony Gatling, had the highest score.  But I guess that makes sense – he taught us the stuff 43 years ago.  Our other DI, Eddie Alley was there with his new bride, Edna.  As a former Marine herself, she loved the "Woman Marine" T-shirt you included.   On behalf of all of the Marines of PLT 1066 we want to say THANK YOU SGT GRIT for again contributing to the great success of our reunion.   Semper Fi, Bob

3rd GUNS reunion

Greetings Sgt. Grit. Just want to report on the 1st reunion of the 3rd 155/175 gun btry(SP) held at Quantico Virginia on September 22 to 25th. We had a great turnout of 47 members plus guest, totaling 88. It was a long awaited pleasure seeing a lot of guys I served with after 40+ years. We were all just young kids back then. Went to the Marine Corps Museum, a trip to D.C. and we had our reunion Banquet at the Globe & Laurel restaurant. read more