Sgt. Grit:
My husband, our son and I visited southern California for our vacation this summer. While there, my husband wanted to take us to MCRD San Diego so we could see where he did his basic training 25 years ago. He has not been on that base since. We picked June 19, a day when there would be a graduation of new Marines. My husband joked when we entered the base that he was starting to sweat and feel nervous! I have to say, having never been to a Marine Corps boot camp graduation, it was an awesome ceremony to witness. (I have attached some photos of that day and a picture of my Marine.) We didn’t know anyone there, we didn’t have any loved ones graduating that day. We just wanted to take some time and cheer on the outstanding accomplishment of the graduates. They all looked so perfect and handsome in their uniforms. We are so proud of them and so thankful for them. My husband certainly knows what they have accomplished, and it will be a part of who they are for the rest of their lives. I was mingling around with some of the graduates in the gift shop after the ceremony and they are so polite and such gentlemen, always saying thank you, excuse me and yes ma’am. To all Marines, thank you for your service.
Allison Hartle
Wife of Lcpl Gregory W. Hartle, 1984-1987
PS. In May, we took a trip to Oklahoma City. Since we were in the area, we had to stop in at Sgt. Grit headquarters and do some shopping!