Dear Sgt. Grit,
It's me, the Beer Runner! I wrote to you last year after I found your website looking to replace the sword on a plaque given to my dad when he retired. I am sending a picture of my mom with the sword and scabbard, back in its place of honor. I'm also sending a picture of "Our Wall"; thanks to Sgt. Grit's store for some of the memorabilia.
When I was back in New York, I was able to go through a trunk that had a treasure trove of goodies my mom saved from 30 years of Marine Corps living!
The first thing I came across was a 493 page Guidebook for Marines. What I found interesting was there is no date telling when it was published. What I found even more interesting was a note my dad wrote on the last page and it read… "And on the seventh day the Lord rested… and Marines continued to fill sand bags."
I came across a newspaper article titled "Marines Teaching Dangers of Duds" at Camp Hansen, Okinawa. The article was about a villager that set off a dud shell killing one and injuring the other. Three Marine officers decided to come up with ways to prevent such accidents from happening again. The three officers were Col. Mike Mosteller, Capt. Harry G. Hartley, and 2d Lt. David Luke. My dad, Sgt. Patrick J. Kelly was in the photo holding up a "dud" shell. I've also attached a copy of the article.
One of the most touching things I came across was a letter written to my mom on April 11, 1966 from Miss Margaret Jo Roach, USO Associate Director. They originally spoke via the MARS station in Okinawa. I've attached the letter; it's amazing in this day in age to see how our troops had to communicate with family "back in the day".
I also thought I'd share a letter written to my dad from a high school girl from Kwang in 1952. She writes about the "unlegal invasion" of the North Korean Army and how our troops came to help. It was simply written and her words do the Marine Corps proud.
I've also attached a couple pictures that were labeled on the back, "Defense Department Photo (Marine Corps)." That's my dad pulling the lanyard of a 105mm howitzer sending a high explosive shell on the way to enemy positions.
And last but not least, in honor of the Marine Corps Birthday, I've attached a picture of my dad and my brother (age 3) at Parris Island November 10, 1968. My dad served 30 years in the Marine Corps and I'm sad to say he died in 1985. It seems like yesterday. After 4 daughters, my parents had Patrick J. Kelly II and he was the pride and joy of our family!
My dad never got to see his son play pro football for the Denver Broncos or the NY Jets; he never saw him married and never got to see his grandson, Patrick J. Kelly III. But dad was looking down and I believe had something to do with Patrick III being born on, you guessed it, November 10, 1999. My brother died almost 10 years ago at age 37. We do what many families do, keep memories alive through pictures, stories and in our case, Irish blarney! That's the way they'd want it.
I would sincerely appreciate hearing from anyone that may remember GySgt. Patrick J. Kelly.
God Bless our Troops,
God Bless our Veterans,
Semper Fi!
Michelle Kelly Lewandowski
P.S. My dad would have loved your website and I know he would have had many stories to share!