Skull & Cover

this is my father’s tattoo . we got our first tattoos together about a month after my 18th birthday . this is to pay tribute to his time as a United States Marine (semper fi , do or die!) , and pay tribute to the things he has taught my brother & me about the USMC. it was inspired by something he owns, purchased off of sgt.grit & he will hopefully get to add to it someday. read more

US Marines’ dogs of war surge in Afghanistan

US Marines were on a foot patrol in the Taliban stronghold of Marjah, Afghanistan, when they shot and killed a lethal threat: a local dog that attacked the marines' Labrador retriever.

Captain Manuel Zepeda, the commander of Company F, was unapologetic. If the Lab on the patrol had been hurt, the marines would have lost their best weapon for detecting roadside bombs – and would have called for a medevac helicopter, just as they would for a human. An attack on the Labrador was an attack on a fellow warrior.
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Never Ask a Gunny

A young Marine officer was in a serious car accident, but the only visible permanent injury was to both of his ears, which were amputated. Since he wasn't physically impaired he remained in the Marine and eventually rose to the rank of General. He was however, very sensitive about his appearance. One day the General was interviewing three Marines for his personal aide. The first was an aviator, and it was a great interview. At the end of the interview the General asked him, “Do you notice anything different about me?” read more

A Very Special Gift

 I am a nursing student and part time jeweler, and the daughter of a Vietnam vet (US Army), and the granddaughter of one WWII vet (US Army) and one WWII/Korean War vet (US Navy). My boyfriend Cpl. Carl Cochrane served our country from 2003-2007 as a United States Marine (3rd Marine Airwing Service & Support Battalion, Military Police detachment – they provided EOD security in Iraq). On Nov. 30, 2005 he was severely injured outside Fallujah when a bomber crashed his truck into the humvee Carl was the turret gunner in. He was thrown from the humvee and hurt very badly. He lost most of the use of his left arm due to shattered bones and severed/damaged nerves, broke his leg, and had a severe head injury and now has a plate replacing almost half his skull. Two others in the vehicle were injured as well, and one was killed. Unfortunately, none of the men who were wounded were awarded Purple Hearts. Carl appealed this later and was told "No." To me it seemed like a very important thing for them to have, and I was outraged that he and the others injured didn't get one. I decided that if his government wouldn't give him what he deserved, then as a jeweler I could and would, so I set out working with a talented jeweler friend at work (I work for a major jeweler supply company) to design a very special Purple Heart just for Carl. It looks the same as the real medal, except instead of George Washington it has the USMC eagle globe and anchor. My friend at work did a wonderful job creating a CAD design and milling a wax model for me, and then I made molds and created the medal in bronze. I filled it with colored epoxy resins and had an absolutely beautiful piece to give to Carl on Valentine's Day this year. He was very, very touched by it and it meant the world to him, and to me to be able to give him that validation for what happened to him. I thought I would share this story with you along with some photos of the medal I made for my beloved Marine. 
Semper Fidelis,
Jaimie Verlander
Albuquerque, NM
 

Marine Mom, Navy Daughter

My Dad was in the Navy during WWII and my son is a new PFC Marine. When he returned home from Parris Island, he got his first tattoo, and I got my 14th or 15th. I wanted to pay the same tribute to my Dad and son that I had done in a previous tattoo… “To the Man who gave me life…and to the Man that I gave life to.” In memory of my Dad, and in honor of my son…The two most important men in my life. Proud Navy daughter and even prouder Marine Mom! Emily Holmes read more