Combat to combo master

So after the long grueling trip back from Kuwait, my platoon arrived back onboard KMCAS Hawaii and we were shown to our respective barracks.  It was zero dark thirty and nobody was around as we observed that our rooms had combo locks on the doors.  Every single one of us Marines had a room awaiting us with an unknown combo lock keeping us from the comfort of a bed.  Something long dreamed of.  We had just spent several months in the desert mostly sleeping in the pits of sand we dug for foxholes.  Dreaming of bowls of milk and cereal, the comfort of a bed and a cold beer among other things.  read more

First Annual Wounded Warrior Open

Sgt Grit   This was taken on the 1st Tee (Las Colinas Country Club, Irving, Texas) at the first annual Wounded Warrior Golf Tournament.  Along with President Bush and myself is Army Sgt. Peter Richert.  I had the very distinct honor and privilege of being Pete’s caddy for the 3 day event.  Pete lost his right leg and has 160 pieces of shrapnel in his body from an IED explosion while serving in Iraq.  This is without a doubt one on the most inspirational experiences of my life.   I will treasure the experience and Pete’s friendship forever.  The event was organized by Former President George W. Bush  (43) to honor and bring awareness of our fighting men and women who have been wounded in combat.   Semper Fi   Carl “Snake” Fite Sgt. of the Marines 2266963 66-69  RTO Pappa Battery 3/12  3rd Mar. Div.

USMC ~ Marine Berets

Aloha,    In 1951, while stationed at the Marine Corps Clothing Factory, 100 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, the clothing board was experimenting with the possible use of  berets for the Marine Corps.  They had tan, green, white and blue berets.  Some senior officer had come up with this Army idea for Marines to start wearing berets. Below is a photograph of my SSGT self and four other Marines.  I've long since forgotten the names of most, but the lieutenant on the left, next to me, I believe, is now Colonel (Ret.) Robert Parrot.  He had also been at the Chosin Reservoir.  I believe he was the adjutant here. Few Marines today know that the Corps once had its own clothing factory. Six floors. with all the sewing machines, cutting machines, shrinking machines, etc, needed to make the uniforms.  They were manned by civilian workers. My job was to process for payment, invoices for a million or a million and a half yards of kersey green cloth, herring bone twill (utilities) and blue cloth. etc. The Marine on the right is wearing the herring bone twill utility uniform. After the Korean War, the Corps had grown so in numbers, that the clothing factory could not keep up with the demand, and it went out of business, I believe, sometime in the 1960s.  Delighted to say that the bombshell beret idea died in its infancy.   Aloha and Semper Fidelis…Bob Talmadge