Sgt. Grit:
I have really enjoyed some of the photos in the news letter so I started digging. I found this one and had to send it out. Some may recognize this as the old MP station at the now closed MCAS El Toro circa 1983.
The two Marines in the center are me CPL later SGT on the left behind the car door and then LCPL later Sgt. Dave Sawyer.
The Marine in the white cover is LCPL Nickerson and the other I regretfully cannot remember his name. Dave and I still stay in touch and both of us work for the Orange County Ca. Sheriff’s Dept. Finding the pictures brought back many fond memories. I will send more when I have gone through them as some Marines will recognize places they also served.
Thanks for all you do to keep morale up.
Semper Fi.
Sgt. Jeff Wolven
I served in the Marine Corps and did Nam in 66-67 with HMM-164 (46’s) based at Marble Mountain . As a helicopter mechanic and doorgunner I earned a Navy Com and Air Medal . In 68′ I lost my kid brother at the siege of The Sahn with Fox 2/3 . I am a life member of VVA-223 in Santa Rosa , Calif. and serve as Bugler for all veteran organizations . I hope some of the guys I served with see this and give me a call at 707-483-4215 anytime ! James “Cooch” Cutri . Be well my brothers !
Regarding the MP Station at MCAS El Toro, Calif Remember it well. I was a Hospital Corpsman and lived off base. When ever I was leaving the base, if there were Marine(s) waiting for a ride at the bus/ride locations just outside the gate MP station I would stop to give them a ride into town. One time I stopped to pick up several Marines, I stepped of my car to let them in, without my cover on.. The MP at the gate blew his whistle and while he was getting my ID to write me a citation, I inquired about his ID so I could check his shot record, We agreed that neither of us needed each others ID.
Richard Yost HM2 1955-1957
I was a reserve MP at El Toro from 1973 to 1989. That was before the Sedans. We had the 1 ton pickup’s. Our unit was made up of Civilian Cops and Deputy Sheriffs. When the main side had block training we would come in and provide the PMO for the weekend. Started as an E-4 and left as a E-7. Worked 17 Air Shows both on and off base. We used to do town patrol until some federal judge stopped them. Enjoyed every day. Will have to find some old photos.
I was stationed at EL Toro from as a Military Policeman 1986-1988. Worked the watch and became the SNCOIC of SEB. I retired in 1998 and went to work for the Orange County Sheriff’s Dept also. Know Jeff and Dave both outstanding guys. I retired from the Sheriff’s Dept in May of 2015 and relocated to Texas. El toro was a beautiful installation and won several model installations awards. Was very sad when the base closed for good. Semper Fi!!
JJ Langhorne 1978-1998
I was stationed at El Toro MCAS for a short time just before we got aboard the USS Breckenridge with about 3000 other Marines to go overseas during the Cuban Crisis. It took us 18 days on the high seas and a few stops to reach Okinawa.
G Bradshaw 1961 – 1965