Archive for June, 2008

Speeding Marines Elude Cops

Two CHP officers were recently conducting routine speed enforcement when they got the shock of their lives. Officer Smith had just started his shift with the radar gun and was looking forward to serving up some tasty speeding tickets while a relieved Officer Jones went off in hot pursuit of some doughnuts and a potty. Both are blissfully unaware that the United States Marines are about to come calling. Out of the clear blue sky on a calm and sunny, Southern California day, what happened next is the stuff of Marine Corps legend.

A 300 MPH Marine Is Hard To Catch

Officer Smith suddenly does a double take when his radar gun alarm registers an unbelievable speed of 300 MPH – coming from an approaching vehicle! Thinking it is an error he attempts to re-set the gun but before he can gripe to Officer Jones about the department's cheap equipment – a deafening roar overhead of 8.5 magnitude envelops their cruiser and commences to give them both a good shaking. The radar gun had in fact locked on to a USMC F/A-18 Hornet which was engaged in a low flying exercise near their location. Talk about a speeder with a head start!

Marines Blamed For Destruction of State Property

When the dust had finally settled and after Officers Smith and Jones have had a chance to change their skivvies, their Patrol Captain decides to file a complaint with the USMC Base Commander, reportedly to recover money for damage to a CHP patrol car and new uniform trousers, but I suspect he was just an ex-(fill in the blank) Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine basher. What he hoped to gain by filing a complaint against marine aviators is beyond this old jarhead but the reply to the CHP Captain is classic USMC speak: (more…)

The Viet Nam Veterans Memorial Is Coming To a Town Near You

If you are a Vietnam veteran and can't make the trip to Washington, D.C. be on the lookout in your town for the American Veterans Traveling Tribute, aka the portable Vietnam Wall Memorial. Recently it came to my town, Payson, Arizona and although I wasn't expecting much, it turned out to be a moving experience. I have not had the honor (guts?) of seeing the real thing in our nation's capital (I will someday) but this particular memorial was very well executed and a tribute to the men who lost their lives during the Viet Nam War. I found two USMC buddies who gave their lives and I took a moment to remember each one of them.

Americans Committed To Honoring Marines And Others Who Gave Their Lives

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute is a group made up of veterans who are committed to the mission of traveling the USA to help fellow veterans honor, respect, and remember those who served and gave their lives in defense of their country. (Keep in mind that we respect the uniform, not always the cause). This mission also serves to focus attention to those currently serving and who have served our country in the past.

Marines And Other Service Members Paid Dearly For The Cost Of Freedom

The AVTT can be viewed online at www.avtt.org  They fulfill their mission statement by presenting the "Cost of Freedom" tribute and exhibits consisting of: The centerpiece: An 80% size replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. All the names of those who gave their lives are on it. It is 370 feet long and 8.5 feet tall at the apex. It is the largest traveling wall replica in the US. In addition to the wall is the Gold Dog Tag Memorial – recording all the names of servicemen and women who gave their lives in the service to their country since the Vietnam War, 911 Memorials and other exhibits like the Walk of Hero's World War II and Korean memorials.

The Loss Of Fellow Marines Is Painful

As a former Marine And Veteran Of the VN war it was emotional for me because it was the first time I actually saw the names of  two dear friends from my hometown inscribed on the wall. It's almost like it wasn't real until that moment and after 35 plus years I had a good cry over it. I was able to locate them on the wall thanks to the helpful staff of AVTT, who gave me a moment to remember them, then was able to rub their names on the casualty sheet that lists their name, Panel # and Line #. In case you can't read the small print, "In honor of the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in the Vietnam War. The names of those who gave their lives and those who remain missing are inscribed in the order they were taken from us."

In memoriam: Reavis A. Montrey Jr, USMC, Home of record: Ferguson, Missouri. Died of enemy small arms fire on 11/16/65 in the vicinity of Quang Nam, South Vietnam. Age 19.

And

In Memoriam: Victor J. Cartier, USMC, Home of Record, Webster Groves, Missouri. Died as a result of an enemy explosive device (mine) on 4/8/69 in the vicinity of Quang Nam, South Vietnam. Age 19.

UPDATE: September, 2008 I received the most wonderful letter from the sister of my Marine buddy Vince Cartier. She thanked me for remembering her brother and his service and we talked about some of the fun times we had before we knew anything about wars in far away places. Thanks again and God Bless, Renee.