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.
The rapidly disappearing cohort of Americans that endured the Great Depression and then fought World War II is receiving quite a send-off from the leading lights of the so-called 60s generation. Tom Brokaw has published two oral histories of “The Greatest Generation” that feature ordinary people doing their duty and suggest that such conduct was historically unique.
If you’re looking to meet new, friendly and exotic people in an intimate, group setting, I strongly recommend taking a bus in Vietnam. It doesn’t matter where you go or for how long. If this is your sort of adventure, there are some things you need to know. You absolutely must find the bus at its orgination early enough to get a seat. Make sure you make a head call, take on bottled water and charge up your sense of humor. By the time the old rig leaves the city limits it will be SSSRO. That’s standing, sitting and squatting room only. You can be sure every inch of floor real estate will be covered with the feet of those hapless beings who did not have the foresight to find or be able to get to the bus station. Experiencing the bus is one thing, liking the bus is an acquired taste.
(March 1995, Military magazine, PO Box 189490, Sacramento, CA, 95818)
The other day I had occasion to think about an old friend of mine, Major (Chaplain) Aloysius P. McGonigal…I’m not kidding, that was his real name. Father McGonigal with his real name. Father McGonigal with his smile and wonderful Irish brogue could have played Barry Fitzgerald’s part in a remake of an old Bing Crosby movie about Catholic priests. In combat he was one of those chaplains who had a calling to be with the troops…out where the body bags are filled…where that old saying “there are no atheists in the trenches,” means something…but that’s another story. He loved the troops…but never try to BS him.
Submitted by From a former “Mud Marine” who tried to ride the Cat and failed. Doug Talley
If you’re old enough to have served in the Navy or Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and particularly if you were an aviator, chances are you’ve heard of the infamous Cubi Point Catapult. Cubi Point Naval Air Station and the adjoining Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines was a place where war-weary Navy and Marine Corps aviators, Marines and Sailors, could let off a little steam after flying combat missions over Vietnam or spending weeks on the gunline aboard ships on Yankee Station. The managers of the Cubi Point Officers’ Club, as well as their counterparts at the other officer and enlisted clubs, were forever tasked with devising new and challenging ways of keeping the warriors entertained. Enter Cmdr. John L. Sullivan and the now famous Cubi Point Officers’ Club catapult.
Hey Sgt Grit,
I have been reading your newsletter as I have always done for the last several years since my retirement in 1994. I just read a story in your recent newsletter #76 of the wife who fortunately enough, got some good hard advice from another Marine wife and made a very smart decision by staying with her Marine husband and being there for him!
Hello Sgt,
Well, I’ve just wrapped up another semester of teaching my class on the Vietnam War. This year, instead of a multiple choice or essay final exam, I had the students put some sort of project together that showed what they had learned in the course. One in particular stuck me and I thought you’d appreciate it, as well. It is rather lengthy, but if you can find a way, please share as much as possible with other vets!
Thought you might appreciate this man's stories.
He has many stories about present day Vietnam and events that take place in Vietnam.
Vikings VMA 225 Another Day in Da Nang The Wheel of Life Fun And Games The Buddha Feet don't fail me now! A Real Toilet Compressor Wash Mopping up action in Da Nang Volume 2
1. Start each player ( 4 total played with partners ) getting thirteen cards. This will leave two cards left over (you use the jokes as the big and little bloopers).
2. Turn over 53rd card and it will be trump.
3. Each player bids as to how many tricks he can take. Each team of partners is totaled; i.e. North bids 5, East bids 2, South bids 3, and West bids 2. That totals 12 of a possible 13 tricks.
I had some definite reasons to volunteer for the Marine Corps. Since I knew I was about to be drafted, I wanted to be certain of seeing some action, to be the best trained I could be, and surrounded by well-trained people. That left me with one choice, USMC. Since I’m from Ohio, and I wanted to go to the West Coast anyway because I have a brother who is a former Marine living in Southern California, boot camp at San Diego was an added perk.