Category: World War II

Jack Lucas, MOH

Sgt Grit,

I saw someone mention Jacklyn Lucas in the last newsletter. I thought I would share two pictures Jack signed for me about a year before he made the trip to Guard Heaven's Gates. He visited my National Guard unit, the 890th Cmbt Engr Bn, in Gulfport, MS, before we deployed to Iraq. read more

My Grandmother’s a BAM and Proud of It

Sgt. Grit,

My Grandmother, SGT. Patricia Shay, served in WWII helping to process the Marines coming back to Alameda, CA from the Pacific Theatre. I remember as a young boy seeing her Marine Corps pictures displayed proudly showing her in uniform. This ended up being my introduction to the Marine Corps. She grilled me with my studies so that I could graduate and fufill my commitment to enlist and become a Marine. She attended my graduation from MCRD San Diego (Hollywood), and has been there when I needed her to be. There have been two outstanding gifts that were presented to my Granny, first was the Flag from Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan flown on DEC. 7th 2011 sent by my Brother-In-Law, Maj. Kevin Bicking, (A Mustang, from SGT. through OCS and made it to Major in just over 20, Currently Retired) and second, the Award of the Two Medals… The American Campaign and WWII Victory medals that she had not received when she was in the service. These two small acts have moved my family and my Grandmother specifically with comraderie that is the Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis to all of our Veterans… old and new, and by the way Granny is 93 and will be 94 this year and is still as tough as nails. 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  

One Of Twenty-Five

Cpl Guy Stratton explaining his part as a mortar man in the
Iwo Jima invasion to the younger Marines of Marine Corps
League detachment 1128 in Tullahoma, TN. He was one of
Twenty-five of the original 261 in his company to make it
off the Island and he was wounded three times. Their
leadership was cut down to one First Lieutenant, one
Sergeant and one Corporal. read more

After WWII

The anniversary of Tarawa is coming up on 11/20 and I thought I'd send some info and photos of my Father, Hawk Rader Jr., D/1/8 2DIV ('Canal and Tarawa) then A/1/8 (Saipan, Tinian). He went to help St. Peter guard the gates of Heaven on 7/12/11 and I still miss him very much. I was lucky enough to hear in great detail of his experiences in all of his battles, including Tarawa. I attended the 2nd Marines' annual Tarawa Day services with him at Lejeune in 2003 and '04 and saw how much the memories of that battle affected him until the day he passed on.
Dad was in 4 major battles before he was 20 and talked about them, he said, to help get over his experiences rather than keeping WWII inside him. read more