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.
The tattoo, the tattoo. Should it be hidden, or seen?
Does it really make a difference,
to a U.S. MARINE?
There are those people who talk and stare.
Do we need to answer, should we need to care?
Walked the Long Beach Pike a long time ago.
Drank neer-beer, and saw a burlesque show.
Decided that a tattoo parlor is where i had to go.
I was just seventeen, and that was a long time ago.
I have read my new friends story
of her visit to THE WALL.
And, I cringe here in my misr'y
and I feel
the hot tears fall.
and I cannot stop the shaking
and I cannot stop the painv
and I wish it were tomorrow
where there's sun
and no more rain.
I WROTE THIS POEM, "THE WALL" MARCH 17, 2009, AFTER SEEING THE TRAVELING WALL IN APACHE JUNCTION ARIZONA, WITH MY HUSBAND, JAMES J BAGINSKI, USMC VIETNAM 65/66, FIELD ARTILLERY.
I JUST SAW THAT YOU HAD POEMS ON YOUR WEBSITE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU COULD USE IT, I JUST WANTED TO PASS IT ON.
Dear Grit,
Years ago I read James Bradley’s book Flags of Our Fathers, I was inspired to write the following poem. I sent a copy to Mr. Bradley and also one to Clint Eastwood after he released his movie of the same name. Now I send you a copy to place in your files. I was, and am still, proud of my service in the Marine Corps. I was a radio operator and while in Vietnam I was attached to the 3rd Company, 1st Batallion, 2nd ROK Marine Brigade in Binh- Son and then moved up to Hoi-An right before the Tet Offensive. I am also extremely proud of this poem. Use it as you will.
Raymond James Byron Anthony Charles Plouhar
Born: May 26, 1976
Died: June 26, 2006
Son, Brother, Cousin, Husband, Father of Two, & Marine!
this is me this is who i am
i am a Marine to the very end
i live by the motto that is Semperi Fi
i come to countries in far off lands
to fight for freedom for which most are to scared to stand
This is the life that he has chosen.
Do I choose to be a part of it?
I must. It is my duty as his mother
To always send my love and care
No matter where he is needed.
Overseas, in the deserts, over the fifty states,
No matter where, he needs to be, I will be as well.
His life is mine and that will never cease.
That will never change.
For the Marines slain near Khafji on January 29, 1991:
Lance Cpl. Frank Allen, Cpl. Stephen Bentzlin, Cpl. Ismael Cotto Jr.,
Lance Cpl. Thomas Jenkins, Lance Cpl. Michael Linderman Jr.,
Lance Cpl. James Lumpkins, Sgt. Garett Mongrella, Pfc. Scott Schroeder,
Lance Cpl. David Snyder, Pfc. Dion Stephenson, and Lance Cpl. Daniel B. Walker
The below poem is not only representative of my thoughts as a Marine whose tour in uniform has ended, but the countless Marines who have viewed themselves in the same vain. As Marines we are branded by tradition, esprit de corps, pride and fraternity. Once we have earned the Title of Marine, be it in peace or war, we can no more purge ourselves of it then we could our natural birthright. It is a Title that remains with all Marines till the day we die? and some of us take it to our gravestones to tell the angles we have arrived, and the devils they are to beware.
You can have your Army Khaki
You can have your Navy Blues
But here is another uniform
I’ll introduce to you
This uniform is different
The finest ever seen
The Germans called it Devil Dog
But the man is just a Marine
They make them down in Diego
The land that God forgot
Where the mountains are high
The rivers run dry
And the Sun is blazing hot
Now listen all you pretty girls
Cause here’s a tip for you
Get yourself a young Marine
There’s nothing he can’t do
And when he goes to Heaven
St Peter he will tell
Another Marine reporting sir
I spent my time in Hell
It Can Not be Inherited
Nor Can it Ever be Purchased
You or No One Alive
can Buy It for Any Price
It is Impossible to Rent
and It Can Not be Lent
You Alone and Our Own
have Earned It
with Your Sweat, Blood and Lives.
You Own It Forever
The Title
“United States Marine”
In Honor of Our Fallen
and Disabled Brothers