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I was going through some old photos and found this one of me while I was in Kuwait back in 1998.  We were there for an exercise and we were in some really hot weather.  I must say that after being inside the belly of an M1A1 that I have more respect for tankers!  God Bless them!  This photo of me is me manning the Tank Commander and the 50 Caliber.  While in Kuwait we experienced temperatures at about 120 degrees and the driver passed out.  They needed someone to man the driver’s seat so they put me in it.  I stripped down to my skivvies because it was so hot in there.  All I remember was a pool of sweat after we got done.  I think I lost some weight while I was over there.  I should go back so I can lose some more.  

Today marks the 234th Birthday of the Marine Corps.  I must say I miss every minute of being with my fellow Marines.  I want to take time now to thank every single Marine from the ones that have gone before us to the ones just about to earn the title.  I appreciate everything you do or have done for our country and Corps.  I know it may seem hard but just remember that we are the Few, The Proud, The MARINES!

If anyone would like to leave a comment for their Marine please feel free to do so. 

God Bless you all that are in harms way for our country.  May God bring you home safely and soon!

Semper Fi!

This is an old photo of myself that was taken on my first field operation while in the Marine Corps.  My job was a Field Radio Operator and I was attached to 1st Tank Battalion, H&S Company, Communications Platoon.  I was in Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California.  My first mission was to create a Re-Transmit Site on the top of an observation point.  It was an easy task and we managed to survive the whole mission without getting killed so that was good.

Anyone have any photos to share of themselves when they were in the military please do.  I would love to see them.

I recently received an email from my good friend Johnny Grays.  Johnny and I served in the Marine Corps from 1996 to 2000 together.  I got out after my four years and so did Johnny but it seems that Johnny couldn’t miss the opportunity to serve our country right after 9-11.  He joined the Army Reserves and has been back and forth in Iraq a couple of times. 

Johnny has always been a great friend and I appreciate what he and all the other men and women in uniform do for our country.  From myself and all the rest of the people in this country I want to say thank you and God Bless! 

I hope that Johnny can send me some more updates on his life in Iraq.  I will keep you posted on his progress.  Take care and Semper Fi!

GENERAL:

Leaps tall buildings with a single bound, is more powerful than a locomotive, is faster than a speeding bullet, walks on water amid typhoons, gives policy to God.

COLONEL:

Leaps short buildings with a single bound, is more powerful than a switch engine, is just as fast as a speeding bullet, walks on water if sea is calm, talks to God.

LT. COLONEL:

Leaps short buildings with a running start and favorable winds, is almost as powerful as a switch engine, is faster than a speeding BB, walks on water in indoor swimming pool, talks to God if a DA-4187 request form is approved.

MAJOR:

Barely clears Quonset hut, loses tug-of-war with switch-engine, can fire a speeding bullet, swims well, is occasionally addressed by God.

CAPTAIN:

Makes high marks by trying to leap buildings, is run over by locomotive, can sometimes handle a gun without inflicting self injury, dog paddles, talks to animals.

1ST LIEUTENANT:

Runs into buildings, recognizes locomotives two out of three times, is not issued ammunition, can stay afloat if properly instructed in the Mae-West, talks to walls.

2ND LIEUTENANT:

Falls over doorstep when trying to enter buildings, says look at the Choo-Choo, wets himself, plays in mud puddles, mumbles to himself.

SERGEANT MAJOR

Lifts tall buildings and walks under them, kicks locomotives off the tracks, catches speeding bullets in his teeth and eats them, freezes water with a single glance, TALKS TO NO ONE, HE IS GOD.

On this Memorial Day I wanted to post a comment for all the military personnel that are in harms way and that have died for our country.  God Bless them and keep them safe.  For those of you who are not serving our country in some way like the military then please go out and hug/kiss/greet a military personnel and thank them for providing you the ability to sleep comfortably at night. 

I have always loved this poem of the Marine and his Final Inspection with God.  I think that it helped me stay motivated while I was in the Corps, I figure it has got to do the same for others that are able to read this stuff.

Here it is:

The Final Inspection

The Marine stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain’t.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I’ve been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn’t mine to keep…
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Marine,
You’ve borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in Hell."
~Author Unknown~

For those of you out there that wish to thank or greet a military personnel then feel free to use this site to do that.

For all you troops in harms way and are able to view this site, Thank You for all that you have done for us.  God Bless you all and Semper Fi!

This photo was taken with a Kodak Advantix.  I took this photo while I was in the Marines.  We were on an exercise in Kuwait and it was almost the end of the day and the sun was setting.  I was attached to 1st Tank Battalion – Charlie Company.  This photo was taken back in 1998.  Semper Fi!