New and Old

Sgt Grit:

Attached is a photo taken by my wife on July 10, 2009. It shows my son, Francis, saluting me on the same parade deck on which I graduated in May ’69. I am justifiably proud, as you might guess. I am, however, even MORE proud of the fact Francis had to lose 65 pounds to even be able to enlist, AND he lost an additional 40 pounds in boot camp. His platoon mates told me he was an inspiration to others who had to lose weight. He constantly motivated them to lose weight. OOOO-RAH!! read more

Well here’s another WM Boot Camp picture

Well, it has been many years since I became a Marine. I just thought that one of my four children would become a Marine, but only one has joined the service—the Air Force. Upon graduating as a Honor Graduate, another airman asked him how he did it. His answer floored me, but made me proud too. He said, “Do you think I could be anything but number one being raised by a Woman Marine”. He went on to graduate from Tech school as an Honor Graduate too. read more

Reunion at MCRD after 40 years

Hello, Sgt. Grit,

On 27 October 2009 (coming up on a year now), two of my Marine Corps brothers and I had a great reunion at MCRD. Inseparable during boot camp and ITR, we’d lost touch over the years, and “found” each other through the internet. We promptly decided a reunion was in order, and that the only place to have it was at MCRD where we met, and the only time to have it was from 26-28 October, since 27 October was to be the 40th anniversary of our first day of boot camp, to the day. read more

Platoon photo and Graduation program

Sgt Grit:

Let me start by saying that enjoy reading your Newsletters and forward them to my Marine buddies that I am still in contact with.

The other day was my Mother's 73rd birthday. When I went to take her and my wife out to dinner, Mom had a surprise for me. My orginal platoon picture and the Graduation program from the Graduation ceremony. I was very glad that she had saved them, I had lost my platoon picture over the years, but was able to order a copy from MCRD San Diego. Enclosed are a couple of pictures that I still have. The old picture is of my Grandfather, Ed Carroll, in 1942. The older Platoon picture is of my uncle's platoon, Blanton Kiser, in 1952. Keep on doing the Newsletter, it is good stuff. read more

Old memories with present day appearance

Grit,

It's been a while but I thought I'd send a few pics and see if anyone recognizes them. be advised, Infantry Training School at Camp Pendleton commanded by Col. P.J. Rowe was later changed to School of Infantry.

Remember a while back I mentioned Gunny Panickowski who was SDI at one point and he became Series Chief Drill Instructor. He was Series Chief for my Platoon 3084, SDI SSgt Rozman. I' be very interested to know where the guys in that platoon all went. You know, one of those type questions that comes to mind all those years after we all graduate and move on. read more

Cold War Marine

Another Cold War Marine heard from. In 1955, out in 1960. MOS 0311. I always wanted to be a Marine. Inclosed is a "V mail" letter that my Grand Mother sent to my Uncle JIM, her son while he was in the Pacific. He hit all the Islands as a linesman running phone lines day and night. Not a scratch. His picture is in one of the books from the islands. Enclosed is a picture of Jim Brady and his bride Murial Brady, one of the original Woman Marines. Jim spent his working civilian years at Pendleton as a linesman. Many reading this may remember him. I also included a picture of Plt.155, PI, graduated in Jan 1956 Depot Honor. I am top row 4th from rt. My best day in Boot Camp was the last week when we were going to a class room and I got out of step and the senior DI started to get on my case and got as far as PVT, Recruit ? ?? he did not know my name! That is being invisible for 13 weeks when Boot Camp was a little different than it is now. Every one seems to remember the DI's thumping people but our DI's were good teachers as well. Yes, there were some VERY tough days. Everyone in the High Depot Honer plt. had the opportunity to go on Sea Duty aboard the new carrier. USS Saratoga. My friends from Pa. went aboard and talked me into going with them. I was going to Jacksonville FL to Air Mechanic School? No regrets. From there it was Embassy Guard duty in Singapore for 3 yrs. Since I had 2 of the best duties in the Corp. I decided not to press my luck and got out. I am sure there were Marines during every Conflict and Peace time that never heard a shot fired accept on the range. We go where the Marine Corp sends us and sometimes it works out good. To me we are all Marines and for all of our lives we carry the Marine Corp within us. Those that served in combat are the Marines that gave me the Pride that I feel in Being a Marine. Boot camp is just the weeding out, the rest of the time is what makes us Marines. read more

The Gunny

Been looking for this for a long time, finally found it. Dou you have any older than this? My proudest day was when I was handed my eagle, globe, and anchor. Now for the Old Corps we used to say, "There's the Old Corps, The New Corps and this S.O.B. A Marine isn't happy if he ain't BI$#%&N." Hoppe someone out there is still alive and sees themselves in the photo. read more