My son makes me so proud. I know my Dad (retired Marine) and my late beloved Grandpa (USMC Helicopter fighter pilot) are damn proud of him too. Semper Fi!
My Caduceus / EGA / Memorial Tat
This is my FMF Corpsman tattoo. I originally had it designed as an anchor being the staff with the snakes going up that with a kevlar and redcross on top and wings behind it. That was drawn up in Corps school. I have never been, and never intend to be, blue side. With that thought in mind I revised the idea. So this design includes the EGA to represent my pride of taking care of and being counted on the best men in service. The staff obviously had to be replaced so I used the memorial for Marines and Corpsman, brothers, that I have lost. The EGA lended the wings of the Eagle to cover the wings necessary for the caduceus. My buddy Matt Lentz at Under the Needle in Seattle (previously Soul Expressions Temecula and Bulletproof Spokane) helped me put it all together.
i tattooed this myself
faternal order death before dishonor
USMC w/ EGA
On the “Good-foot” (Thats the left foot just incase you didn’t know) USMC with Eagle Globe & Anchor
Cpl
What is up my devil dog brothers!!!! WAR is hell and dont let another civillian tell u otherwise….
To Charles (Chuck) Brewer, 1967-1973,
To Sgt. Charles (Chuck) Brewer, 1967-1973 regarding your story of meeting people from 12,000 miles away.
I was originally sent to Okiniwa ('71) for dispatch either north or south. The dispatching sergeant took one look at my MOS (6242 – aviation electrician), his list, and sent me to Iwakuni, Japan. All newbies in Iwakuni were TDY'd to quonsot huts and even stayed after being assigned a squadron. I was waiting assignment (I was eventually assigned to H&MS-17. Your sister squadron in Iwakuni) and had rented a bicycle to get around this base with 7,000 other Marines. The bike's number was A-53. Amazing what we can remember over 41 years ago! I locked my bike up and one night someone decided that he wanted it more than me. It was gone in the morning. I looked around (borrowed a buddy's bike) and couldn't find the bike, Then I went to the rental place and told my story. I was informed that I need to produce the bike by week's end or $100.00. Damn! That was a lot of money for a Lance Corporal that was sending all but $20.00 to his wife. Two days later I was walking back to my hut from lunch at the chow hall. They were serving watery chili that day and it decidied to go through me pretty quick. I saw four bikes riding towards me and check them out as I was tryong to get to the shi&&%$ before by butt exploded. One bike read A-53! I looked back before entering my hut and saw the riders turning left towards the chow hall. I was doing my duty and screaming for anyone to come. Three Marines came into the opened stall bathroom and immediately grabbed their noses and started to turn around and go out. I yelled for them and they heard my story. "What do you want us to do" One asked. I wanted them to keep the other three Marines busy and off my back as I was discussing the return of my bike to it's rightful owner. They asked one question. "Is he a brother?" They were black Marines. I said no and they said yes they would help. We rode to the chow hall on their bikes. I was on the handlebars of one. As we got their the four mentioned Marines were just settling in to the bike stand. My Marine was at the end closest to the big "L" shaped line and the chow hall. I wnet over tp him and my bike. re-checked the number, put my left hand on his suprised shoulder, and with my right hand proceeded to help him dismount from my bike. I continued "discussing" the negative merits of having my bike and mentioned that "A Marine never steals from another Marine and definitelty doesn't get caught." He failed the second part. This asshole was screaming that it wasn't his bike as I was raining "love taps" on and around his head, shoulders, and stomach. A few kicks were added for good measure), and he had borrowed it from a friend. He wouldn't give up the friends name. So I suggested we bother one of the MP's in line who I'm sure wouldn't mind missing their chow for a thief. He demurred and I told him as I was walking away that he should have a chat with his friend for the asskicking he just received. BTY. The three Marines with me were true to their word. No one bothered me the whole time. Not even the MP's in line after they were told what was going on.
66 years later
Sgt. Grit,
Just got through reading your newsletter and also had just received the attached photo from my nephew who took the picture. My kids and I participated in a USO type show to raise seed money for a new HONOR FLIGHT group out of Elmira New York. The show was spearheaded by my niece Nancy who is instumental in establishing this new HONOR FLIGHT group. Anyway the picture shows myself (still lean, not as mean but still a Marine) with my kids(?) taken 66 years (actually 67 years) after I left IWO. My front license plate reads "Iwo Jima Survivor" and I still get appreciation for having been there and for my service.
Another Marine Guarding Heavens Scene
My uncle, Earl William Miller, U.S. Marine Corps passed away on July 10, 2012. He was a tanker in WWII serving with 2nd MarDiv in places such as Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa, Sasebo, and Nagasaki.
Uncle Earl was raised by my Mother (His sister) from a teenager and was sort of the older brother I never had. He was the influence that led me to enlist in the Corps where I had a successful 35 year career. I also had some influence on his grandson, Randy, joining the Corps. So it's all in the family.
K-4-13 Reunion Association
Greetings,
A couple of months ago, I was thumbing through your catalog when I saw the Guidon Patch. I decided to order some. Unfortunately, the design is the "New Corps" design (USMC), and I wanted the "Old Corps" design, (FMF) for the K-4-13 (RVN) Reunion Association. I contacted Ms. Lam, provided her with a picture of the guidon from our last reunion, and ordered 25 patches. She sent me the art work for approval, and I ordered 25. They patches arrived today and are outstanding!
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.