Trip back to San Diego

I must be getting old, for the life of me I cannot understand why I did not post this when I came home from California in October 2010.   After many years my wife decided we were going to visit my sister and her husband in Anaheim, California. I had not been to California since I got back from Nam in 1966 on my way to Quantico, VA. She also planned all the spots we were gong to visit and asked me if there was one place I wanted to see. I told her in no uncertain terms if we were going to Southern California we had go a little further south to San Diego and visit MCRD and watch a Recruit Graduation. The only one I ever saw, I was in and did not get to see much as I, along with all the other recruits were a little busy that day.   The Quonset Huts that I remember in 1963 were for the most part gone and new shiny two story barracks were there. The Grinder was newly prepared for this graduation and was as spotless as I can remember. Other than that all of the area around that area has not changed in 47 years. Told the "BOSS" (wife) we will be going back in 2013 for my 50th anniversary of graduation from Basic Training.   I realized that I was old when I saw the Drill Instructors, (Sgt.'s, Staff Sgt.'s & Gunnery Sgt.'s ) looking so young, Even the Sgt. Majors I saw had to be in their mid to late 30's and looked so young.   I did get to talk to a couple of Drill Instructors and really do not remember them to be that friendly. LOL   "Semper Fi" Paw

Marines back in the 20s and 30s

Sgt. Grit,

Last month my brother-in-law, retired Navy CPO Don DiRienzo, passed away. Before he passed, he mentioned that his father was a Marine back in the 20's and 30's, and had fought in the Banana Wars in Nicaragua and elsewhere. After his discharge he became very active in the Marine Corps League. The enclosed picture of his MCL detachment, the Theodore Roosevelt Detachment in Boston, taken in the 1930's, shows some Old-Old Corps Marines. Sgt. Michael DiRienzo is second from left, front row. Note the man on his left wears the fourragere over the arm, signifying that he was actually at Belleau Wood when the French awarded it. The rule is, over the arm, you were there. Under the arm, you are authorized to wear it, but were not there. I have been trying to research Sgt. DiRienzo, but have been unsuccessful. I was informed that the detachment does not exist any more. Anyone knowing anything about him or the detachment is asked to contact me here, through Sgt. Grit.     Semper Fi Paul Lindner Cpl. 1959-1963

PFC Shikany’s new tattoo

Sgt. Grit, I love receiving your newsletter each month. My son graduated from bootcamp in September, and is now at school in Pensacola, while he was home over the holidays we got some tattoos together, thought I would share what the artist (Loni Troupe in Phoenix AZ) came up with. Thanks for all the great stories/memories that you provide each month. Proud USMC Father of PFC Nick Shikany 6/2010 – read more

Honor Vietnam Vets With Jane Fonda and Anti-War Protestors?!

Geeezzzzzzzzz these people never let up.  I got back 40 years ago and they still try to gig us every chance they get.

Sgt Grit

 

Fayetteville, North Carolina,  home of Fort Bragg, is planning a 10-day celebration and homecoming this November to honor Vietnam Vets.  Its a honor well deserved.  These soldiers, marines, and other vets served our nation honorably. It’s not their fault that we had lousy leadership in Washington that lost the war. read more

Targeting the Taliban? There’s an iPhone App For That

An iPhone app that tracks down the Taliban has been developed by a U.S. soldier — who put $26,000 of his own money into the project.

The idea for a smartphone application to assist soldiers in combat came to Capt. Jonathan J. Springer in a dream last July, he said Monday. The 31-year-old, from Fort Wayne, Ind., has worked with programmers ever since to make the idea a reality. read more

This day in history, USMC

Jan. 27, 1837:  U.S. soldiers and Marines under the command of Col. Archibald Henderson – a serving Marine Corps commandant – defeat a force of Seminole Indians in the running battle of Hatchee-Lustee Creek (Florida). For his actions, Henderson will receive a brevet promotion to brigadier general, becoming the Corps’ first general officer. read more