Archive for the 'Marine Of The Month' Category

The Marine of the Month for January 2010 is Donald John Riley 1925 – 2004, United States Marine Corps, Combat Service in the Pacific, 1943 – 1945  and the man that inspired a wonderful concept, that of Honoring The Life, Service and Bravery of Veterans, One Frame At A Time.

Edward D. Riley, US Army 1969-71, Vietnam Vet and son of SSgt Donald Riley, USMC is the man behind the idea and the creator of the Frame Of Honor, a moving tribute to his father and to our men in uniform. I just recently was introduced to his son Danny who told me the story of how it got started and I am proud to be able to pass it along.

I hope to be able to get to know Ed Riley sometime and I would be proud to make mention of each Frame of Honor recipient that he does a frame for – here on my USMC blog.

I only have one question for you Eddie my boy, why the heck didn't you join the Marine Corps like your Pop did? He must have wanted you to join the marines if he knew you would have to fight? You didn't go and get yourself drafted did ya?

I'm just yanking your dog tag chains there Eddie, those being the kinds of digs that only one soldier can make to another, so say hello to Sgt Richard "Skip" Schaefer (me), United States Marine Corps, 1968-72, combat service in Vietnam with the 3rd Marine Division, 1969-70. Can you believe it was over 40 freakin years ago?

Frame Of Honor occupies a permanent link here on the LCMarine and you can also contact them via the FAQ page of their website.

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A Dog Fit For The Pentagon

We need more marines like this in Washington to sort out the mess we have gotten ourselves into in the middle east. Posted with the greatest respect for the Marine Corps and our Armed Forces this picture signifies the kind of message that we at home are tired of all the BS from our government and want these wars to end.

Our country has gone to the dogs and maybe they can do a better job!

Image: my chocolate lab Duke by: Pets In Uniform

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Under the guise of providing a public service to the American people the Associated Press decided to overrule the wishes of our Secretary of Defense and the Marine's father and publish a picture of Marine Bernie Bernard's death in Afghanistan. 

What do you expect from the media, sex sells and so does death. The Google Blog says this: "The fact the Associated Press chose to publish graphic and disturbing photographs of a young Marine killed in Afghanistan against the wishes of both the father of the Marine and the Secretary of Defense of The United States is not only appalling, and completely unconscionable it is without compassion and consideration to the effects it might have on the this man’s family. Privacy should be respected."

I agree with that statement, America does not need a refresher on the ravages of war, we have had enough of it with our last "TV War" in Vietnam.

Lance Corporal Joshua "Bernie" Bernard is our Marine of the Month with a photo as we would like to remember him.

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Jack Rice (my uncle) was a talented feature writer for the St. Louis Post Dispatch for 30+ years and did most of his writing in the early sixties to late seventies. He wrote all kinds of wonderful stories mostly from the human interest side. He was also a former Marine Staff Sergeant who served overseas in WW ll and the man that inspired me to join the Marines in 1968.

He looked after me more like a son than a nephew since his kids were lost to him (divorce) and my dad traveled all the time. He introduced me to the arts and culture of St Louis and I even accompanied him (behind the scenes) on famous interviews with celebrities, such as the one he did with Carol Channing between appearances during her long St. Louis run of the famous play; Hello Dolly! 

Jack died tragically at the tender age of 60 and I still miss him a lot. Both during my enlistment and after I left the marines in 1972 we would sit up for hours sipping his favorite bourdon- Old Fitz – trading war stories and the good times we remembered while serving. He was very disappointed by the Vietnam situation but managed mostly to keep his opinions to himself and a select few others. Regardless, he would never put up with a bad word about his Marine Corps. The picture you see at the top of the post was selected by me from his personal effects with the permission of my mother and timed to appear with the debut of the movie, Flags Of Our Fathers, directed by Clint Eastwood and the 230th birthday celebration of the Corps. I thought it an appropriate way to honor his memory.

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This Could Be Your Marine

We invite our readers to submit their favorite Marines to be recognized here. Active duty, discharged or retired Marines that are a proud part of your life. Just submit a picture and a short bio and we will let you know what month to look for. We will add our own Marines from time to time, family, friends, friends of friends, etc.

Our First Marine Of The Month

Having a USMC DI for a neighbor might be a common occurance at places like Camp Lejuene or Camp Pendleton but out here in the civilian world it's rare to find Marines like this retired Master Gunnery Sergeant two doors down from me.

You know the exact house not because of the American flag there but from the Marine Corps colors flying below it. He is an interesting man, a colorful character and was a Drill Instructor at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC for 8 years. I'll never forget the first day I met him, his wife and daughter were having a garage sale in their driveway one day when I drove by and I saw "Bobby" out there in his USMC sweats.

Thinking it would be as good a time as any to meet him I stopped the car and headed in his direction. His "situational awareness" antennae was working perfectly and I could tell he was sizing me up before I got too close. "Hello Marine", he says, "rank and unit?" I had to laugh since he didn't know me from Adam and he stood there with a sh** eating grin on his face. I think he suspected that 40 years later a Marine Corps Drill Instructor, even a retired one still has the ability to strike terror into the heart of any of us that lived through USMC boot camp. (more…)

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