Afghan War Marks 10th Anniversary

 

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) — The U.S.-led war in Afghanistan marked its 10th year Friday having passed two major milestones: The Taliban has been forced out of power and Osama bin Laden is dead.

 

But there was little observance by U.S. troops in Afghanistan, where a month earlier many participated in commemorations to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

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Sgt Grit Newsletter

 

 

 

Last year I was visiting my stepmother in a rest home. While there I noticed an old man wearing a Marine cap. He was so old and frail looking. He told me of joining the Marines at the age of fourteen when WWII broke out. He knew that he had to lie, but it made no difference to him… well, last month I was at the rest home and saw him again. This time the hat was really worn and he didn't really remember meeting me last year… It didn't matter to me if he remembered me or not, what mattered was the old torn worn out hat he had on… I came straight home and called Sgt. Grit and ordered him a new cap with his name, rank, and WWII veteran on it with the Eagle Ball and Anchor… I also ordered him one of the pins with the American flag, Marine emblem, and WWII vet on it… Human Statue of Liberty 1918 Camp Dodge

Last week my wife and I went to see him to deliver his new hat and pin… This old vet had tears streaming down his face… It was my honor to do this for a Marine friend. Too often these vets just sit and stare out of the window just thinking of the old days… of the things that have happened to them that most people cannot even fathom. He made the statement that my wife and I should not have spent the money… I informed him that he had deserved to have it… And that we were Marines always and forever… Before we left there he was crying again and asked my wife for a hug, which she proudly and happily gave him. We cannot wait to see him again… His name was Sgt. John Bateman.

I am respectfully
Cpl. C.G. Morgan 1962-1965.
1st Plt. M Co 3-5
1st Plt D Co 1-9
 

Emblem in Foreign Places

My wife and I took our whole family on a trip to Hungary this past summer. We visited relatives that I had not seen for sixty-three years. While at my cousin's house, his son arranged a trip to the fire station in Szentes. He thought it would be interesting because my son is a volunteer firefighter and my grandson is a junior firefighter in the town we live in. When we returned to Connecticut, I saw the video my granddaughter took at the fire station and noticed a Marine Corps emblem decal on the wall in the station. Unfortunately, at this point the film ran out and I was unable to hear why the decal was there. Luckily, my son was able to get the e-mail address of the person who conducted the tour. Through a series of e-mails I learned the following information. Őrnagy Rajmund Kálmán of the Szentes fire department wrote that every year on September 11, the Kiskunfélegyházi, Kecskemét and Szentes firefighters organize a remembrance marathon. This is done in memory of and to honor the New York firefighters. They always invite firefighters from United States to join them. Two years ago several war-disabled Marines were also invited. The emblem decal came from these Marines and Őrnagy Rajmund Kálmán said they guard it to this day. read more

M-42

For Cpl WW McFarland, USMCR.  A pic' of 'my' M-42 at 29 Palms in late '58.  I also joined the reserves at age 17 in '54.  Made Pfc before I went to boot camp.  Doesn't seem fair does it?  (Had a buddy that stayed in the reserves and never went to boot camp).  I left when the Corps decided to use rockets instead of these (WWII?) tracks.   Also had experience with quad fifties.  If you think one fifty is fun…  No stories except that I never hit much firing this rig.  We also practiced at using the M-42 in a ground support role.   Bob Sturdevant Sgt  USMC  1469231

amtracs

Sgt. Grit,   Couple weeks ago someone said they had seen the Amtracs in a museum in San Diego and didn't know if the Amtrac with the 105 howitzer, ever been used in combat? Well let me tell him it has, they had 5 of them set up at Cua Viet and the men that used them were good, they hit what the set their sight on, I tried to see if I had any pictures of them but I don't, [sorry]. But I did come across an old Sea Tiger newspaper dated May 3 1968 that I keep. here is a picture that was in it, feel free to print it, maybe someone will see themself.

Sgt. Larry Walker

Nam 1967-70
 

1918 Statue of Liberty

THE PICTURE ON HERE IS PHENOMENAL.    Facts about the photo:   Base to  Shoulder: 150 feet Right Arm: 340  feet Widest part of arm holding torch: 12 1/2  feet Right thumb: 35 feet  Thickest  part of body: 29 feet Left hand length: 30  feet Face: 60 feet Nose: 21  feet Longest spike of head piece: 70  feet Torch and flame combined: 980  feet Number of men in flame of torch:  12,000 Number of men in torch:  2,800 Number of men in right arm:  1,200? Number of  men in body, head and balance of figure only:  2,000  total men: 18,000     THANKS FOR YOUR TIME CPL. CHARLES G. MORGAN

It’s Customary

The first photo was me as the Senior Drill Instructor (center  w/black belt around my waist) as I was picking up my very last  platoon of new recruits in early 1992. I have a video of this as  well I'd be happy to show you when we meet. Being a Drill  Instructor was very taxing in that you were with the recruits  for 16 hours every day and 24 hours every 3rd day for the 13  week duration they were in Recruit Training.   The second photo is my retired Drill Instructor Campaign cover.  It's customary for outgoing Drill Instructors to have their last  cover preserved with a plaque at the bottom reflecting their  roles & accomplishments while on the Drill Field. I did 3  Platoons as an Assist Drill Instructor and 2 as the Sr. Drill  Instructor until I took a Operations Chief role and then  subsequently the 3RD Battalion Drill Master position for my  final 6 months wearing the campaign cover.   The Drill Instructor tour was tough and very long hours (a  decent % of marriages do not survive, including my very own)  Hence an unofficial Marine saying, "it's about GOD, COUNTRY &  CORPS, if they wanted you to have a wife they would have issued  you one… BUT… this was the most rewarding job I have ever  had or will have…  I thank God to have had this opportunity in  my life and will never forget what my contribution meant to so  many young men that "earned" the Eagle, Globe & Anchor…   Regards, Rick Crawford

363 Reunion

Good morning Kristy

One of the brothers came thru with a good photo of everyone at our 363 reunion.    Front row left to right: John Horton, Ken Slye, Jeff Davis, Alan VanMaastrict, Tom Dietz, Mike Fund   Back Row left to right : Jerry Moots, Jim Collier, Jeff Sommers, Jesse Patterson, Richard Burke and me, Carson Gibson.   Thank you again Kristy Semper Fi Carson