Sgt. Grit Community

Sgt. Grit, In your last letter, Gysgt John D. Foster wrote:

"In late 1967, our platoon (Echo 2/9) was returning to Camp Carroll after a long op in the bush."

I don't know if the Gunny, knows where Camp J.J. Carroll got it's name, but the timing of his letter could not be better. (Happy Birthday Marines) The hill was know to us who operated out of there earlier as The Artillery Plateau. It was renamed and dedicated to Captain Carroll on the Marine Corps Birthday in 1966 following Operation Prairie. The attached photo may be hard to read, so I'll type it so all can know the history. read more

Aloha kakou;

On Monday, November 5, 2007, veteran Marines of V.V.A. Oahu Chapter 858 were greeted by a detail of Camp Smith, HI. Marines, organized by SSgt Obi Rogers, PAO. SSgt Rogers and her detail first visited Marines at Tripler AMC that morning and then to the Oahu Veterans Center to visit with us. They even brought us cake. After talking story with these young Marines and telling our own war stories, we all gathering in a circle and sang Happy Birthday to ourselves. It was one of those full-circle moments. We were so impressed by these sharp young Marines and for their enthusiasm for the Corps and for life that I had to share this story. To all active duty and veteran Marines, we salute you. read more

Each year we celebrate the birth of our Corps by attending a Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Since we live in a metropolitan area, and are not near a Marine Corps facility, we have the Ball on a Saturday as close to the 10th of November as possible. As you know the 10th doesn?t fall on a Saturday every year, but since it did this year we wanted to do something even more special. What better way than to honor those Marines that have become our legacy. It is those Marines that have come before us that have made our Corps what it is today. They are part of our history and their actions and deeds have set the standard by which all Marines are judged. read more

Sgt Grit

Friday November 09, 2007 a group of Marines, men and women, got together out in the Hawker-Beechcraft hangar in Wichita Kansas..

I read the Commandant?s message. And yes??time marches ON. This is the first time that I was the oldest Marine present. read more

Sgt. Grit, I have two stories to share with you today:

This past weekend I was headed to the Marine Corps Ball, alone. My three young boys and I had a 4 hour trip to make to get there. Part way through, we stopped to get some supper. We were standing in line, and I was trying to keep my boys IN LINE, when a young man ahead of me commented that I really had my hands full. Feeling a little agravated, I replied that I certainly did, especially since their dad is in Iraq. He immediately focused his attention on me, and started asking all about my husband. I was a little bemused, until he pulled off his jacket to show me the Marine Corps shirt he was wearing. I chatted with him and his girlfriend for a few minutes, then they went to pay for their food. When I finally made it to the head of the line, that former Marine was still standing there. Sgt. Grit, I'm not much of a crier, but I certainly choked up when he insisted on paying for all of our meals that night. I thanked him from the bottom of my heart…his reply? "It's the least I can do. I never went over, and here there are guys leaving their wives and kids. You just tell your husband thank you." I duly passed on those thanks, and the story that proves your brotherhood. read more

During times when more are concerned with whether or not it is politically correct to be in war. Let?s not forget those who gave of themselves so we have the right to self doubt our own decisions. Most are unaware that one of the most famous Marines in history is buried here in Utah. He lays rest in the Pleasant Grove city cemetery. Sgt. Major Joseph W. Dailey. But fear not my fellow Marines not all have forgotten this day on the 232 Birthday of our Beloved Corps I had the honor of visiting our fallen hero?s grave in the thoughts of paying respects to a fellow Marine. I was happy to see I was not alone in my endeavors and in fact someone had arrived before me and placed a wreath and 2 small flags at his grave site. I added my small token of a saut? labeled the few the proud and a USMC flag and knelt down beside the grave and said a small prayer. As I stood up to leave I simply said happy birthday Sgt Major and yes of Course Semper Fi. I was greeted as I walked back to my truck by another Marine whom was looking for the Sgt. Majors grave to pay his respects. So I say to my fellow Marines world wide fear not for our heroes are not forgotten here in Utah. They will be watched over and protected by those whom have fallowed in their footsteps and will stand guard over those who can no longer stand guard for us. Happy birthday Marines and a final Semper Fi to all whom serve and have served in our beloved Corps. read more

USMC Birthday

Sgt. Grit,

Thought you might be interested in the attached photos. November 1967 – Birthday-in-the-Field. We were somewhere south of Con Thien. The cake was brought in on a 6X. The Col. cut the first piece and the Top cut the rest. There was enough for everyone in 2/9 to get a piece. As the cake was being brought in a Birddog flew overhead and popped red and blue smoke from its wing tips. What a sight. read more

Last Marine Corps Birthday (At which we always have a Marine Corps Birthday cake) it fell on the Friday before Veteran's Day. Our Boss allowed us to fly the Marine Corps Flag the entire day. We have many Dormant Marines and other service veterans who work here and we honor our veterans every Veteran's Day. We celebrated Veteran's Day on the morning of our beloved Marine Corps Birthday that year. It was so nice to see our flag fly so proudly for all to see. It flew in front of Cox Communications, Omaha, NE on November 10th 2006 in place of our company's flag. Long may it wave… right next to Old Glory and long may she wave in God's Glory read more

Sgt. Grit.,

I share this story in the hope that it inspires other Marines to see what they can organize. They will be amazed how it can grow!.

Six years ago through word of mouth about a dozen Marines got together for lunch here in Sarasota, Florida for The Birthday. It was quite a simple affair, just a toast, some cake, and sing The Hymn I started a roster and mailing list, and the next year with the list and continued word of mouth we had about 38. The following year we had grown to 60, to include a General, a Corpsman, and a Woman Marine. The following year we had grown to 78 and had to get a private room in the restaurant. That year we also had the distinct privilege of having as our Guest of Honor a Congressional Medal of Honor awardee. A local resident, Hector Cafferata who was awarded the MOH for his actions at the Choisin Reservoir on "Fox Hill" with Fox 2/7 attended. This past year we arranged a notice in the local paper and had grown to over 100. The youngest Marine was 26 years old (an active duty Marine with two tours in "the sandbox" on recruiting duty here in the area) and the oldest was 88 years old. Our Guest(s) of Honor were WWII Marines, and we had 28 Marine Veterans of almost all the Pacific Island battles, including 10 Iwo Jima survivors!! Check the photos attached. What an experience! What an honor to be in the presence of those Marines! read more

Dear Sgt. Grit,

This past November, I was an honored guest at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in 29 Palms. My boyfriend is a Cpl in CLB-7, long side of my little brother. This September, I was lucky enough to have my Marine come back safely from his deployment in Iraq but my brother is still over there. The Ball was like nothing I have ever experienced. During the ceremony, there were several parts where I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I saw a part of the Marine Corp that night that very few Americans will ever see. I looked beyond my own tears and saw grown men weeping as they honored their fallen Marines and Marines that served before them. With my love standing proudly next to me in his dress blues and my brother in Iraq in my heart, I made a mental note not to ever forget that night. I felt like I was there not only as a guest, but in place of my brother who was not able to be with the rest of his unit. I was respectfully greeted by everyone and proudly introduced as "Adams' Sister". Thank you again to all of our Troops for doing what they do for us. My heart goes out to you all. read more