"Ma Grit" and Sgt Grit at Arlington Cemetery, 1999.
Don Whitton (Sgt Grit)
Sgt Grit is a place where Marines can come and meet other Marines, share tattoos and stories, keep up with Marine Corps news, or shop for USMC gear.
"Ma Grit" and Sgt Grit at Arlington Cemetery, 1999.
Don Whitton (Sgt Grit)
11th Marines, Hqt Battery, Comm Plt Reunion, at "The Wall" in Washington DC, summer 1998. From L-R: SSgt Dan "Hunts" Huntsinger, Sgt Don "Grit" Whitton, Cpl John "Goog" Gugliotta, Sgt Dick "Dirty Dick" Leyden
These are my daughters. One has finished college the other is still attending. I gave both a Ka-Bar as a high school graduation present.
They have cut and served pizza, as well as other food preparation and done crafts for dorms rooms with their Ka-Bars. One was in a group of girls talking about what their dads gave them as a graduation gift. As they went around the room there were watches, necklaces, bracelets, etc…. My daughter got up went to her dresser drawer and pulled out her Ka-Bar and proudly said this is what my dad gave me.
11th Marines Hqt Btty Early 1969. Sgt Lou Alston, PFC Dan Huntsinger, PFC Doug Norman
Sunset from the top of the 28 Bunker.
Water buffalo every morning and every afternoon.
Being lead and rode by tiny kids. Ever present kids.
It was illegal for E5 and below to be in DaNang without a permit. LCpl Huntsinger and I did not have a permit. Hunt's was and is very "resourceful". We hitched a ride in a three wheeled motorized buggy owned and driven by an AP or UPI reporter. He asked if we had a permit, when we said no, he said get down, hide in the back of the vehicle. He was known by the MP's at the DaNang gate, so they just waved him through. Once through the gate the MP's noticed Hunt's and me crouched in the rear, the chase was on. After a spirited hide and seek race through DaNang the reporter takes us to his apartment. Says he has an appointment and to help our selves to a beer in the fridge, lay low for about 30 minutes, then hit the town, he leaves us in his apartment.
Radio School VR-17
MCRD SanDiego
Oct – Dec 1968
This is at staging back at Pendleton. Don't ask me how this picture got with the rest.
We took a Colorado vacation, summer 2000. The True Grit Cafe in Ridgway, CO. is dedicated to the movie "True Grit" which is how I got my nickname. Much of the movie was filmed in this area. Some of the movie were filmed at and near this cave, near Ouray, CO.
Sands of Mexico
I got on a helicopter going back to 11th Marines HQ Btty. My head was cradled between my hands, my eyes closed, resting. Sometimes just closing your eyes was as restful as sleep. Anyway Marines are getting off and getting on. I can hear the movement, but my eyes are closed. We take off, I sense something near me, then I feel warm breath on my face. I'm thinking wtf is this. I open my eyes. Off to one side I see a large black nose about two inched from my nose. There sits a huge German Shepherd dog. I had not been around the K-9 dogs but you heard stories… loyal to their handler but they eat, maim, or generally f-ck up anyone or anything else. My eyes get very big, I don't move at all. The compassionate Marine handler noticing my distress says nothing for several moments. Then quietly says "Don't make any sudden movement and he MIGHT not eat you". He's probably still laughing at me 40+ years later.
Here's a photo of Sgt Grit with his staff and a few of his vendors taken on his 11th anniversary party on October 17th. Where's Sgt Grit? Get out your magnifying glass. See that flash of red? He's the tall dude standing in the shade at the very back. (But that's OK. That's where we like to keep him. We get more work done that way.)