Oliver North

In 2006, while on R&R in Ecuador, I found this artist who hand carves the pictured artwork. I liked his artwork so much I started having him do stuff I thought was cool. I had him make the Marine logo, and I had my wife pick it up on a later date. I took in Camp Leatherneck to find a deserving Marine to give it to. I just so happened to run across Oliver North while at Leatherneck and I presented it to him for being a lifelong stand up Marine. Here is a photo of me and him. read more

MCRD PI Plt 1001, 1965

It was to my surprise that I was put in charge of the records of seven of us leaving little RI . When we arrived in Connecticut I was given 60 some more, and told to keep them all together to PI. Well all went fine until we landed in NC and met another 30 some. As you might guess this dumb, soon to be, was given the other paper work. This didn't bother me much until I realized the bus ride was about two hours later and the beers were cheap and the drinking age there was 18, and we all knew it would be a long time before we got another chance. On boarding the bus my concern grew. I was two bodies short and at the next stop, (except for a p-ss stop), was those yellow foot prints. My concern was forgotten when that nice gentelman LOL, DI told us a–ho—to elbows on those yellow footprints . It was around 3 A.M. and we were either to tired or to drunk to do much and the DIs must have been also because no flag was raised over the missing 2 and they did arrive before we completed our night of horror sitting at those old high school desks with the arm piece to write on.          read more

Predeployment Ink

My first ink is inspired by the Gadsden symbol which was displayed at the first muster of the Marine Corps. The rattlesnake is coiled on my right shoulder, and facing backwards watching my 6. I’m a West Coast Marine so the Mountains of Pendleton are in the background. Beside being forever tied to Marine Corps history, the DONT TREAD ON ME symbol represents the core of our nation: resistance to tyranny. Got this predeployment ink in Jacksonville (Suprise!) and it was custom drawn and tattooed by Dave at Lucky Tiger Tattoo. I was wanting something different than the usual Leatherneck tats and I am very proud to wear this until I die. S/F boys CPL Smokey read more

Marine Dodge Truck

While getting parts at a Dodge dealership in Spring, TX, we noticed this Marine Truck.  It was a special order by a Marine.  It had quotations by famous people, in Memory of Marines he served with (whose names were placed upon the truck), among the obvious in the pictures.  It was a privilege and an honor just to be able to see this truck.  Never saw it again after that day and I drive down that way every two weeks to the Veterans Center.  Semper Fi Marine! read more

MCRD San Diego, Plt 3042

Sgt. Grit,

20 years ago a few Marines graduated from MCRD San Diego on 09-11-92.  We are coming up to our 20th anniversary of having the honor of wearing our Eagle, Globe, and Anchors.  Little did we know that a few years down the road, America would be attacked on 09-11-01.  Semper Fi to all the Marines that have protected our freedoms, and way of life! read more