NC Visit

Sgt Grit   A few weeks ago my wife and I vacationed at Emerald Isle, NC. While there I was given the opportunity to visit both Camp Lejeune and the Beirut/Vietnam Memorial in Jacksonville. I was stationed at Camp Lejeune back in the 70’s and this was the first time since I left to visit the base. I couldn’t believe how much it changed.   I’m attaching pictures of the Memorials so everyone can see what a beautiful job that was done for our Vet’s.    The Vietnam Memorial is made of Glass and the names are embossed on the glass.    As the sun shines through the glass it puts the names on the ground. It’s really something to see.    The Beirut Memorial is well made and also something to see. I was in the Marines in 1983 and was very interested as I knew some of the Marines on that wall.    There is also a steel beam from the World trade center located there. What made that really stand out was the news paper I saw posted on that steel beam. It’s also a must see. So here’s my pictures, enjoy…   Thanks to all who made those and all the Memorials possible.    Semper fi to all my Marine Brother’s and Sister’s out their past and present.    Michael P. England SSGT USMC 0369/8412/5811 1974-1985 G 2/3, I 3/3, B 1/2, G 2/2, C 1/1,  MP Co MCB Camp Lejeune,  RSS Gastonia, NC.  HQ 9th Mar. &  H&HS Station MCAS Cherry Point, NC.

Genoa, Italy, 1959 or 1960

Hey Sarge,   I found this on the “Marine” Facebook site and thought maybe you would publish it and see if we can’t reunite these folks.   In this photo: , Rinaldo Mattarini, Ornella Mattarini   Italy, city of Genoa,1959 or 1960. I'm Ornella Mattarini with my father. The day which this snap was released, there was a great ship of USA Navy in Genoa harbour. A group of Marines find me so pretty, that want to have a snap with me. Now that boys are over '70. Someone has seen a picture with this girl?   Semper Fi

Memorial

I wanted to share with you something that my sister and I thought up about a year ago. Kym and I wanted to honor our fallen troops in some way and this is what we came up with. This memorial represents our fallen troops from Michigan, our home state. Each cross bears the rank, name, hometown and DOD of each soldier. We support our Troops in all that they do!!! Sad to say, one of our neighbors is now protesting, calling it a "graveyard". We will fight this. read more

USMC ~ I.D.Card. 1947

Aloha Sgt Grit,

My I.D. card does not match that one from 1942, but up a few on the 1954 one mentioned. Mine was issued to me in the third week of boot
camp at Parris Island in December of 1947. The back has nothing on it except my platoon number and series, 119-32. The day it expired I was on my way to the Chosin Reservoir and no one was checking I.D. cards. Senior Platoon Instructor-SSgt Waldo J. Aleshire, if you remember what Oliver Hardy looked like, Laurel & Hardy films, that was Waldo J. Aleshire. Had think about smiling and laughing when you saw him, but better not. Junior drill instructor-Sgt. Aaron W. Spikes. Spikes is retired CWO-4, living now in Florida. Instructor Cpl (first name unknown) Caggiano, New York City left us after three weeks due to discharge. Assistant D.I. SSGT (FNU) Deloach left us to pick up his own platoon. All great people, no abusers or sadists. Did their job without physical ill treatment.
Bob Talmadge, MGySgt, USMC (Retired)
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My Old Cannoncocker Days

Sgt. Grit

I am trying to locate men from my old Cannoncocker days on Okinawa….I served with the 12 th Marines Kilo Btry. 4th Battalion at Camp Hauge Okinawa in 1957 & 1958 on the 155 Howitzer…I was hoping you could print this letter and photograph in your newsletter to help me maybe find some of these men I had the honor of serving with….Time is fast slipping away from us and I'd like to locate as many as possible…I can be reached at Facebook at Howard W. Kennedy or by email at h.kennedy@comcast.net Thank you Sgt.Grit for the platform you provide to help us find long lost friends… read more

My Fishing Machine

Hi Grit,   I have a couple of photos on (My fishing Machine) that you might like to put in your next news letter.  Remember "Gy/Sgts" are the back bone of the Corps – ask any body. I have been told this for 0ver 20 years 1956-1976.   "Semper-Fi" Grit, you're doing a Outstanding job for the Marines…..   Her they are:    Thanks, Gy/Sgt. Lew Souder, USMC/Ret.

Liberty Card 1960

While reading your newsletter, I enjoyed pictures of the old Liberty Cards.  So I looked through my old papers and found one dated Dec 1st 1950.  Prior to hitting Incheon beach on Septermber 15th 1950, we were docked in Kobe, Japan.  One night a loud sound came out of the speakers. "NOW HEAR THIS, NOW HEAR THIS! ANY MARINE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE REPORT TO YOUR PLT LEADER! IF YOU FAIL TO DO SO YOU'LL BE AN OLD MAN BEFORE YOU GET OUT OF THE BRIG!" It ended up with about 50 or us being sent to an old Jap base in Otsu, Japan where we were known as Uncle Sam's Misguided Children.  I was sent to Sasebo, Japan to guard the main gate until I could be sent back to my copmany in November. read more