Other Marine Corps BS Volume 14

Marine League/Marine Piper

Thought you might be interested in these pics of Marine Vet Javier Teniente, a Mexican-American Bagpiper in Madison, WI. He gave me permission to forward.

I zapped you some pictures here. Recently the League and myself Rendered Honors at a funeral for a James W. Erwin, (Sept 6,1927-May 1,2009)

Then yesterday, for Memorial day I had the Honor and priviledge of Piping for the Fallen Warriors Memorial for Golf Company 2/24, of Madison. There was a good crowd there in attendance. Of course the Marine League was there for that as well.

Semper Fi, and carry on.
Javier Teniente

Sgt C.

Sgt Grit:

When my wife and I were seated in our booth in our local IHOP this morning, I noted a man eating his breakfast in a booth to my right, directly across from us.

The first thing I noticed was that he was wearing a black baseball cap, but because all I could see was his "profile" and not his full face, I could only make out the letters "US" and what appeared to be a small American Legion insignia on his cap.

After we gave the waitress our order, sensing this man just might be a Marine, I waited for him to turn his head our way so I could satisfy my "curiosity." Sure enough, he briefly turned my way while he answered (or placed) a call on his cell phone. That's when I saw the letters "USMC" and a small "Bulldog" that I thought was an American Legion emblem.

When my now "new Marine friend" let up a bit from eating, I leaned over slightly towards him and said, "What's a Marine doing wearing his cover indoors?" He reacted with a bit of surprise as I smiled at him and extended my hand which he instinctively reached for and we shook hands, as he realized I was also a Marine by my use of the term "cover." He said "sorry" and immediately removed his cover as we were shaking hands

When I asked him if he recalled the "custom" that a Marine could only be "covered" indoors if he was "Under Arms" he indicated he did not. I then explained what I remembered from my time in the Corps (1947-1968) when I believe all Marine Corps clubs (though I’m not too sure about the Enlisted Clubs, which might have explained why he didn’t know or couldn’t recall the custom) but I’m certain about staff and officer's clubs), had small posters located at or near the bar that proclaimed, "He who enters covered here, will buy the House a round of cheer." Located near this poster/sign was a Ship's Bell which the Bartender or other Marine nearest to the bell would ring upon noticing a Marine entering the club wearing his cover.

I jokingly added that any Marine who found himself in that "predicament" never made the same mistake twice, especially with our "pay tables" being far from adequate.

I asked him when he was in the Corps and he indicated he served two separate enlistments, I believe the last one was in the early 2000's. Asking me the same question I said, "I retired in 1968," and he said, "Oh, you were in the "Old Corps."

I fessed' up, “I guess I was, but then again, any Marine who enlists one day earlier than another Marine was always "In the Old Corps." This brought a chuckle from him, and he got up to leave. We shook hands again with another "Semper Fi" and my wife and I remained to finish our breakfast.

When we asked our waitress for the check, she said "that man that sat across from you paid your check as he left," adding that he left a note for me." I was stunned as she handed me our check where he had written this note on the back of it: "Thank you for correcting this Marine! This one's on me. Semper Fi, Sgt. C." (Attached is a scanned copy of the original).

My wife and I couldn’t get over this. It has been a long time since another Marine (or others for that matter) has done something like this for us. We are usually the one’s that do this for other Marines we meet or even just see in a restaurant. In fact, in this particular IHOP we often meet the Parish Priest who renewed our marriage vows for our 50th wedding anniversary (eight years ago already) and we always pay his tab, even when he has several Nuns from his Parish with him.

I asked the waitress if she knew this other “customer” as I heard them speak fluent Spanish with one another. She indicated she did not, but that in talking with him he told her he was originally from Columbia and now lived in nearby Reston, VA.

So, “Sgt. C from Reston," should you by chance be reading this, or should our paths cross again in IHOP or in Reston, be assured we want to return the favor, but for now, we thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and generosity. I'm sure you know I wasn't “correcting" you Marine, but rather relishing the opportunity to revisit one of our revered Corps’ many traditions.

Semper Fi,
Gerald F. Merna
Mustang 1stLt Retired

Memorial Day 2009

My Memorial Day 2009
was it because , U. S. M. C. was on the silverware? was it bacause,k of the film: "Sands of Iwo Jima"? with the flag raising at the end? was it bacause Bill Turney my Uncle searved in the U. S. M. C. in the cold of Koreon? I cannot put it to anything that is above, but for what ever it was I joined the Corps in July 1978. The yellow footprints, the same as my uncle. The "Goodnight Chesty whereever you are". The title so few can achive. Thank you Drill Instructors: SSgt. M. E. Molina, SSgt. J. G. Gomez, Sgt. J. W. Dorsett. for taking this boy from Arkansas and turning himn into a U. S. Marine. Job well done.

Thank you God, and Drill Instuctors for making me who I am today.

Semper Fidelis
Harold L Ramer

LCpl Manny Dacosta

Would anyone in the New England area happen to know or recognize this Marine from service at Quantico in the 1959-1962 timeframe? His name is Manuel (Manny) Dacosta or DeCosta. I believe he may have left active duty as a LCpl. One squared away young Marine! Notice the gold collar emblems and scarlet/gold 'pogey rope'. He would now be in his late 60's/ Let me know please.

Joe Featherston

Chesty with a group of Marines

Memorial Day

Have a safe Memorial Day I will be in the color guard again this year on the left side as always. We (the VFW) put up one hundred eighty flags at the local cemetery for a parade of flags, a short parade from our down town area out to the cemetery and a short ceremony with the laying of wreaths.at our veterans memorial. Semper Fi

Joe

Winston

Hey all you Marines, This is my dog Winston he will do anything for a treat. This is my brothers old hat from circa 68. Both my brothers were Marines one has passed away and the other is dealing with agent orange issues. I was just young enough to miss V/N. I wish you and all your brothers a safe Memorial Day and Thank you! Richard Burchiel

Honor Quilt made for a WWII USMC Veteran

Hello Sgt. Grit,

Thought I would share a photo of an Honor Quilt I made for the WWII USMC Veteran Clarence Peterson of Texas.

Clarence worked as a radio operator on Guam and other areas of the Pacific.

Below is a letter from Clarence’s daughter Sharon:

Sandy,

I’m sorry it’s taken so long, but I was hoping to get all the pics my mom took as well as mine. They are attached.

My dad was very surprised about the quilt and couldn’t believe someone he didn’t even know would do something so awesome.

My Marine son Sgt Derrick Brown surprised me by coming home for Mother’s Day, so I surprised my parents by bringing Derrick with me to the local Cracker Barrel where they have breakfast every Thursday morning with long time friends, which is where the pictures were took. It was there we presented the quilt to my dad.

Thank you so much for doing this act of love. I know it took a lot of hard work to put together such a beautiful quilt and my family will be forever grateful.

Sharon of Arlington, Texas

Our Marine Wall

I too have a picture: My husband and two sons. I had my husbands (1970) picture "redone" with the newer background to match the boys'.

(The "redone" photo is on left.)

We have received lots of compliments on our Marine Wall.
Kathy Shumway

Interesting story

I enjoy reading your news letter and read it from end to end, especially anything to do with my era Marines (1959-1963). A few years ago I got in contact with another Marine on the internet that was stationed on Okinawa with me (1960-1961). That Marine is Tim O'Reilly. After we returned from Okinawa I never saw Tim again (48 years). We have had many recent discussions on the internet on clothing of the day, including Ike jackets,herringbone (sp?),etc. I was issued the old herringbone with the copper USMC buttons. I thought I still had some in my seabag still sitting in storage. Since I'm now 68 years old I'm learning, better get 'er done while I still have a heartbeat. So I dumped out the seabag and much to my disappointment I only had ONE standard green utility shirt. So naturally I tried to put it on over my "disproportionately accented" body and it didn't work. This is a picture of my shirt:

Looking closer at the name tag....

The only utility shirt I have belongs to Tim O'Reilly!! After contacting Tim we both cannot imagine how his shirt ended up in my seabag 48 years ago....or why I would have kept it there. Now I have more reason than ever for a get-together this summer. We need to re-hash the "battle" for BC street, life with "Binjo" ditches, the many typhoons getting locked into our quonset huts for 5 days at a time with a mountain of C-rations and canned water (anybody remember the "typhoon 5ths") and of course to give Tim his shirt back that I "borrowed" 48 years ago.

Cpl Ken Schweim
1854977 MOS 2771
Platoon 104 1959 (San diego)

USS Blue Ridge AGG-19

For Ken Copes

Perhaps it was the USS Blue Ridge AGG-19, (now designated LCC-19) probably not an LPH (helo & Harrier amphib)

a very good "amphib" and a great control ship!

Joe Featherston
Mustang Major of Marines

The old stuff box

In the Sgt.Grit newsletter, of 7 May 2009, short piece by Paul Martell about the fouled anchor got me to looking in my stuff box from the Corps. Some of the things I remember, Dress Shoes were Ox Blood or Cordovan in color. No boots they were Boon Dockers just to the ankle, then canvas leggings that laced up in side, they were not polished. In my stuff box have one dark bronze hat device, not black. Have a bronze device that does not have the rope on the anchor,(pix.attached) for the Dress Blues. Also the last set of Dog Tags, P-38 can opener, a dark bronze tie bar, several awards, such as expert rifleman, sharpshooter pistol—the old 45 cal. Utilities was light green with a herringbone pattern And a few medals, nothing big just what everyone in that era had. Also the rank of Gunny Sgt. today was Technical Sgt. No Social Security Number, had Service Number. PISC boot camp we lived in tents – can’t remember if five or six men per tent. SDI then was Sgt. John M Morse, JDI was Ralph L Lorenzo. I guess I can now call myself Old Corps ???

DEW 1950-1959

S/Sgt. 1181914

Father and Son

To Sgt Grit,

Just wanted to share a picture with you. As you can see one is from the past and one is from the present. When I put them side by side everyone has commented on how we looked so much alike coming out of boot camp.There is 32 years difference between us.My son Justin is a Cpl. just back from Iraq and preparing to go to Afghanistan soon due to the shortage of Marines to rotate back over.Just wanted to share this and say ,"SEMPER FI",to all the fellow Marines out there.

Mark Henry

Marine Vehicle 1962

Picture says it all.

Only 3 copies ever made, just made this one for you. I spent my time with 12th and 10th, 155 and 105's.

Dan Esmael

Looking for Input....Want to share!

Sgt Grit

I would like to share this from the book I’m writing “An Untold Story of a Three War Marine”.

It’s about my father MGySgt Wilfred P. Zeimet, who fought in Guam, and Okinawa, during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam

In November 1963 Willie made Master Gunnery Sergeant and by now had 23 years of service in the Corps. In 1964, LtCol Albert W. Snell was assigned duties as the Commanding Officer 1st Tank Battalion 1st Marine Division. Having an opportunity in speaking with the Colonel in Dec 2007, he shared the following; “Bill”, he said, “When I took over the Tank Battalion, prior to going to war in Viet Nam I was concerned but when I found out that both CWO4 Waugh was in the Maintenance Company and we got your dad in there as the Battalion Maintenance Chief, and the Senior NCO, I quit worrying I knew that 1st Tanks was in the best hands they could be. These guys were the pillars of the tankers society with 25 years under their belts, there reputations preceded them. Mine and your father’s paths had crossed more than a few times since China in 1946 and every where I went men and officers alike spoke highly of him.

If I could use one word to describe him it would be Loyal, loyal to his men, loyal to his officers, and loyal to his country. It is just a fact of life that NCOs like your dad made life simple for the officers placed over them. When we got to Viet Nam to Chu Lai we were up on a hill, and there was nothing there. It was a miserable place, no facilities, no place to perform tank maintenance trying to do maintenance out in the sun was crazy as hot as the tanks would get, and the next thing I know your dad came up with a bunch of wood and before you knew it there was overhead shelter the guys were pulling together and there was a place for the maintenance crew to do there work. I remember sometime after that a Major from division was asking about aluminum siding and other materials that came up missing that was set aside for a Civic action program. He asked me, “Do you know anything about this missing material”, “Absolutely not was my reply.” Willie was a go to guy, that got the job done, and was well respected by his men.

Albert W. Snell
Col USMC Ret.

Thank you
William N Zeimet
RMC USN Ret.

Lieutenant General D. M. Twomey (RIP)

Back in 1981, I was a Second Lieutenant at The Basic School, at MCCDEC Quantico, Virginia, when then Major General Twomey addressed my class. The base had a history of not turning on the heat until a certain set date. When the class was asked if there were any questions, I raised my hand (but then, that was typical of me when a General addressed an audience that I was a part of). I said, "General, I know that the heat is not turned on until a certain date, but I am freezing my ass off."

You could hear a pin drop in the room, and idiot classmates of mine tried to tell me that I had to address him as "Sir." I reminded them that I was a MUSTANG and that I knew that any Marine that was a Colonel or above, could be addressed by his / her rank, rather than Sir or Ma'am.

General Twomey responded, "Well, Lieutenant, we can't have you freezing your ass off, now can we?"

The heat was turned on 48 hours later.

May Lieutenant General D. M. Twomey, Rest - In - Peace

Semper Fi,
"Major Pain"

Monument Dedication

Our trip to Virginia Monument dedication

To: Carol Alfieri , Gino Alfieri , Richard Berry , Carol and Don Hachey , Sail Hayward , Ted Laquercia , Sal Manno , Bill and Carol O'Loane , John Patterson , Ed Raleigh , Sal and Tissie Sorrentino

Train like Marines

Ok,
I work on an air force base, and I see a lot of different things.
For the most part I do have some concerns.
I thought this would be interesting for the news letter

Air Force times newspaper for May 4, 2009.

They say "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!" Well they can simulate our training all they want to. But at the end of the day they still won't be like us, let alone be US.

We are a breed all our own! The article and others in the issue, keeps referring to Marines, being the best, toughest, well organized, knowing the objective to achieve and not letting interfere with obtaining the objective.

That we are also in the forefront of designing and implementing new training techniques. The article even lists some of the PFT we must do to pass (sit-ups, pushup. pull ups, runs etc)

So I included a picture of the front page of the current issue. Bottom line "Airmen want to train like Marines"

From what I see day to day, 80% wouldn't pass the tests. Semper Fi

Choo Choo
No longer active duty
Sgt of Marines 1968 - 1974 RVN 70-71

Marine Wedding in Amarillo

Dear Sgt. Grit,

I am extremely blessed that I got to marry my long time friend and the love of my life on April 4th in Amarillo, Texas. We are currently stationed at Cherry Point, NC and I am so thankful that we were able to have the ceremony. We barely squeezed it in as he is currently on deployment to Afghanistan. I just wanted to share some pictures. The sword detail was perfect and all of the Marines that were a part of it were awesome. I am so proud of my man and so proud to be a part of the Marine Corps family.

Semper Fi,
Heather

3 Generations of Marines

Hi Sgt. Grit,
Thought I too would send you a pic of My wife's father, myself and my youngest Son. My Father in-law was a Marine Raider in WWII. He served with the "Carlson Raiders." I served in the early 1980's during peace time. So no combat for me but loved every moment of the Corps! My son just graduated from boot camp in November 2008 and is now in Florida waiting for his MOS schooling to start! One VERY proud family to be serving our great nation as we have been over these last three generations.

Robert Guillen
1st. BN., 1st MAR., 1st. MAR. DIV.
Camp Pendleton

On Top of Old Smokey

Sarge

What a view! Just wanted to share this old photo I found of myself (October / November 1991 timeframe) on top of “Old Smokey”.

"Smokey" was a pretty cool guy once you got to know him. HA!HA! Anyone else have any feelings towards this guy?

Semper Fi

JJ Chervinko
Cpl USMC

USMC PFC

USMC PFC Scott Nielsen with M-16

Medal of Honor Day Celebration

Thank you for your interest in the photographs from 28 March 2009. They are from the

Medal Of Honor Day Celebration which the Albert E. Schwab Detachment, MCL, Tulsa, Oklahoma honors annually.

These photographs are of the wreath laying at Floral Park Cemetery in Broken Arrow on March 28, 2009 despite the snow storm.

Master Sgt Pittman, USMC, Medal of Honor Recipient from Vietnam War, was guest of honor (both photographs). Others present are Albert E. Schwab Detachment Marine Corps League members and two Young Marines from the Thomas A. Blair Detachment, Young Marines, Tulsa Oklahoma.

Pictures were taken and produced by "Doyle Sanders."
Doyle Sanders
GySgt. USMC (Ret.)

Two Brothers

Hey Sgt. Grit,
Thanks for your welcome newsletters. We are happy customers of your outstanding merchandise. Our youngest son,Lcpl Davin, is a grunt with 1st Marine Div 1/1, and now on a MEU overseas. We are all very proud of his being a part of our fine USMC. He is the first Marine in our "Navy" family. My dad became a CPO aboard USS Forster, DE-334 during WWII. They saw action in the Mediterranean with the Luftwaffe. Also, my mom's cousin was a Naval Aviator. and retired as a CDR. So, I was destined for the Navy. I grew up with "sea stories", going aboard many ships during Fleet Week in San Francisco Bay and watching Navy Log, and Victory at Sea as a youngster on TV! Well, I enlisted in the Navy out of high school 1966. I was on various destroyers, and shore duty in Wash. D.C. Naval Station, at BuPers, (Naval Annex) in 1967-68, as a YN3 in the Aviation Detailers dept. Got a call from a surface officer trying to find out how to get his orders changed..... He was to report to the USS Pueblo !! (it had just been captured by N. Korea) When the two Lt.s nearby my desk asked who had called.... I told them and they both said, that was one lucky officer! Here are 2 photos of our sons, Eddie age 22 and Lcpl Davin age 19, taken last year when D returned from deployment in Al Anbar, Iraq. The other photo was taken 1989 with Davin in his "Navy" dress blues ! He's traded them in on Marine Dress Blues now!

Steve Lehto, YN2 '66-'72

What it means to lose a Marine

My husband died 10 weeks ago suddenly from a heart attack. He was breathing and then he was not. The ER doctor told me he’d been beyond saving before I could start CPR. I am bereft and the quick notice I sent Sgt. Grit in no way conveyed what he was, had sacrificed, or what he meant to me. He had asked me that, if he died first, just "post a little notice in Sgt. Grit; nothing big, just so someone out there who remembers my name will know I've gone ahead."

Saying he was (is) a Marine Force Recon should be enough to speak to the man he was. But there is so much more behind those words, as every Marine knows, and as all their wives and families know. There are dates on the calendar that are harder to get through. There are nights when it all comes back. Three tours in Vietnam to start and then so much more to relive when the “door to the closet where I keep it all fell open last night. Sorry, babe.” It was a night I was always willing to lose for him, sitting up with him, or for him so he could get back to sleep. He gave up so much of himself and I love him so that keeping watch over him was a privilege. I would give almost anything to be have him beside me to keep vigil over any restless sleep he might have.

The effect of the scars on his body and the ones on his soul cannot be understood to those who are not Marines or related to them. He earned them honorably, sacrificing willingly for his country and his brothers. To lose him to death now that he was all mine seems wrong but the doctors at the VA said his body was far older than his years. He’d been shot out of the sky, blown up, shot, stabbed, you name it, my Marine had the injury but he always got himself home. And it was at home where he died, in my arms, at the age of 56. I am lucky that he was with me and that the last thing he heard was “I love you.” My daughter said his death had to be a covert op because he would have fought illness every step of the way. He’s probably arguing with God right now over this latest deployment.

His death has left me lonely for his smile, his laugh, and his love. It has left me to face Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, the birthday of the Marine Corps, and all our important dates alone. There are no more nightmares for him though and his body doesn’t hurt anymore. But mine does. I have his medals, his Alice pack, his ashes, and his flag. I’ve lost his stories – there are so many. His memories – I loved being able to help him through the tough ones. His nightmares – feeling him reach for my hand has no comparison. His strength – he was mine. And his “good to go” attitude - he taught me courage. I have my memories of a life spent with a man who was a force of nature. He didn’t die in combat but he died a Marine, and that’s more than a lot of people can say. I am proud of him. I love him. There will be no other. Semper Fi means just that to me. There will be no other.

April 11th 2009 Wedding

This past Saturday my honey and I got married after nine years of being together. My son just graduated boot camp on Nov. 5th of 2008. He is currently in North Carolina at Camp Lejuene. It was a nerve racking time for me because I did not know whether he would be able to come home for my wedding. He is my only child and I am a single mother. Since he was little it has always just been him and I going it alone but we managed to get by with the help of the good Lord and my awesome family. I just could not imagine getting married with out him. Originally we had the date set for the 18th of April but as fate would have it the Marine Corps had other plans for him. He was unable to make the original date and at the last minute we had to change it to the 11th. This was a set back and some family members were unable to attend because of it but hey, my Marine made it and to me that was all that mattered. He has not been enlisted long enough to be a hero yet but I am no less proud of him, he has came a long way in life and being there at the wedding to walk me up the isle, meant more to me than life itself. I wanted to share with you a photo of a proud momma and her new Marine.

Semper Fi,
VPMM of Nick
2nd Bn. Echo Co. Pt. 2107

Marine Brothers

We so love receiving your Newsletter and reading about families like ours. We wanted to share a picture of our three sons, all three dedicated and loyal Marines. Sgt. Timothy R. Egleberry, Sgt. James L. Egleberry and WO William J. Egleberry

God Bless all of our heroes....

Rick Terri Egleberry
Proud Parents of Three United States Marines

A LCPL and his daughter

Just thought I would share some pictures of my husband and our daughter. He is a LCPL in the Marine Corp, currently on his 1st deployment.

After Action Report - Marine Henry Landry

The day started out with a raw misty rain, however this was the day that many of us Marines had waited for. The weather would not be a factor for us, as the Marines who assembled had been on missions from the hot sands of Iwo Jima, the frozen Chosin in Korea, and the jungles of Viet Nam to the deserts of Iraq.

This was the day that Pvt. Henry Landry was to be buried with Full Military Honors after being in the city morgue for the last 10 months awaiting to be identified by his military records.

Marine Landry passed away in a SRO in New York City last June without having a family or a next of kin. The ME in most cases would send the remains to Potters Field for Burial; however our State Commandant Marine John Rymer was called by NYPD Detective Lee who had responded to the call.

In turn the ME was told to hold Pvt. Landry, The only ID he had on him was a card from the VA which clamed he was a Marine. At this point both our State Sr. Vice Commandant Dennis Tobin, and I were contacted to get Pvt. Landry identified and buried in the National Cemetery.

Working with the Kennedy-Roth Funeral Home from Woodside, Queens the processes of identification was started. The assignment was undertook by Funeral Director Anna Michaelides who spent many hours working with the NYPD, FBI, Medical Examiner, VA, St. Louis Records, and the MOVA. The final piece was confirmed when NYPD Missing Person Detective Ramirez returned and visited the SRO with a picture of Pvt. Landry and one of the tenants recognized him.

We were told that we could bury our brother Marine in Calverton National Cemetery, and the word was passed to our membership and the public.

The funeral procession was escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders from Woodside, Queens to Calverton. Along the Long Island Express way the Suffolk County Sheriffs joined the procession with 5 escort cars to the front gate of the Cemetery.

Many of the League Detachments were in attendance from the New York Metro area, including our State Commandant, with members of the Long Island Veterans, and Honor Guard (Active Marines) from 6th Commutations Battalion.

The ceremony was conducted by State Sr. Vice Dennis Tobin, the Firing Detail was from the Suffolk County Detachment, Color Guard was supplied by the Staten Island Detachment and the North Shore Queens Detachment. Taps was played by Marine David Hill (North Shore Queens Detachment) The Casket and Hearst was supplied at no cost to the League by James Dimiceli of the Kennedy-Roth Funeral Home in Woodside, Queens.

The Flag was presented to Anna Michaelides in appreciation of the work she did on this missionThe misty raw rain stopped as we laid our brother to rest.

Marines LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND!

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