Happy Veteran's Day

Just wanted to take the time to thank all the veterans...past and present.

Both my grandfather's were veterans. Both of my wife's grandfathers were veterans. My father in-law as well. And over the years I have gotten to know quite a few more veterans.

When I was a young boy, anyone in a military uniform was instantly a hero of mine. They were more like mythical heroes to me. I always felt safe when I saw someone around in uniform. Now that I've grown up, and being a veteran myself, I like to hope that I was able to provide young ones with that sense of pride and comfort that were instilled in me at such a young age.

To my grandfathers, my wife's grandfathers, my father-in-law and all other veterans......thank you for your service to our great country. If it wasn't for your generations, I might not have had the priviledge and honor of wearing the uniform.

Some of my favorite Marine Corps themed qoutes

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem."
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985

"The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!"
Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, 1945

"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion."
Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army

"Hell, these are Marines. Men like them held Guadalcanal and took Iwo Jima. Bagdad ain't shit."
Marine Major General John F. Kelly

"Marines know how to use their bayonets. Army bayonets may as well be paper-weights."
Navy Times; November 1994

"We have two companies of Marines running rampant all over the northern half of this island, and three Army regiments pinned down in the southwestern corner, doing nothing. What the hell is going on?"
Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., USA, Chairman of the the Joint Chiefs of Staff
during the assault on Grenada, 1983

"I have only two men out of my company and 20 out of some other company. We need support, but it is almost suicide to try to get it here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant barrage is on us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold."
1stLt. Clifton B. Cates, USMC
in Belleau Wood, 19 July 1918

"The bended knee is not a tradition of our Corps."
General Alexander A. Vandergrift, USMC
to the Senate Naval Affairs Committee, 5 May 1946

"By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully. Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue."
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, U.S. Navy

"Being ready is not what matters. What matters is winning after you get there."
LtGen Victor H. Krulak, USMC April 1965

"The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle."
Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing, U.S. Army
Commander of American Forces in World War I

"I come in peace, I didn't bring artillery. But I am pleading with you with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all."
Marine General James Mattis, to Iraqi tribal leaders

The wonderful love of a beautiful maid,
The love of a staunch true man,
The love of a baby, unafraid,
Have existed since time began.

But the greatest of loves, The quintessence of loves.
even greater than that of a mother,
Is the tender, passionate, infinite love,
of one drunken Marine for another.


"Semper Fidelis"

General Louis H. Wilson
Commandant of the Marine Corps
Toast given at 203rd Marine Corps Birthday Ball
Camp Lejueune, N.C. 1978

Happy Birthday Marine's and Semper Fidelis!!!

Change You Can Believe In.........

Seargent Major Terwilliger

I arrived in Iraq on roughly Oct. 9th, 2008. I stayed up all night that night,curious as to how I would like my job and "co-workers". Day 2 arrived and I started my check-in process. Last on the list......SgtMaj Terwilliger.


I was not really ready or in the right frame of mind to deal with a "motivated" SgtMaj. So when SgtMaj T stood up and said, "How the hell are ya....where you from?". I answered and he came up to me, shook my hand, pulled me in and lowered his shoulder into mine. At this point, I knew there was atleast one person in Baghdad that I liked.


Shortly after this "first encounter", a position to be a martial arts instructor to the newly formed Iraqi Marine Corps became available. SgtMaj T chose me and a couple of other Marines to travel with him to our new destination and job. We were to depart on 1 December but due to a sand storm, our flight was delayed for the following day. Shortly after that delay, I received a Red Cross message from my wife. My grandfather had passed away. Hard day. Since there was nobody that I worked with even willing to check up on me after being notified of my Red Cross message, I headed over to SgtMaj T's office. That conversation we had will not be written down or discussed but know this, it was a conversation that I will never forget. Thanks SgtMaj.....it was what I needed to hear at a time when I needed to hear it.


It took nearly 5 days to get to our destination. SgtMaj T joked about not having enough "stars" on his collar because it took so long. When we were settled, we instantly wanted to get to work. However, the Iraqi's were on holiday leave. So we decided to train the British in martial arts. That was interesting. Finally the Iraqi's arrived and we set about training them. We graduated our first class of 9. There were originally something like 50. After that initial class, my fellow Marines and I set about instituting various types of military schools and ultimately the first ever Iraqi Marine "boot camp". All things inspired by conversations we had had with SgtMaj T. We took his vision, and tried as hard as we could to get it right.


Now I won't go into any of the problems that we faced while training the Iraqi's. And know this, there were many! But when there was a problem though.....we had back up in the form of SgtMaj T. And believe you me, that's back up you want on your side!


SgtMaj Terwilliger: Thank you. Thank you for all that you did for me. Thank you for your service to our Corps (30+ yrs). Thank you for your service to our country. Thank you for being that "role model" for all junior Marines to look up to. But most of all, thank you for being my friend. Gods speed....I love ya.

Happy Birthday America

In this day and age it's probably hard for Americans to understand and grasp the true meaning of the 4th of July. To most it's just another holiday, a day off from work.
During the day, you could head off to the oceans, lakes or mountains that are nearby for a fun filled day of water sports or hiking. Maybe, you just sit at home and "hang out". Next comes the barbecue and the sucking back of some thirst quenching cold beers. A little while later, after the sun goes down, comes the much anticipated fireworks. Wether you stay at home and light your own or you travel to a show, they truely are amazing to watch!
Now I like fireworks and barbecues just as much as the next person. But I never have and never will forget the true importance of the day. I've lived it......
But how often do you really sit back and ponder the true importance of the 4th of July? Have you ever wondered how many brave men and women it took (and still takes) for you to enjoy this "holiday"?See, if it were up to me, the title of "holiday" would be stricken from the 4th of July. It's not a "holiday"!It's a day of remembrance. It's a day of appreciation. It's a day of thanks. Thanks ......such a strong word that unfortunately has gone unused in todays society.
So tomorrow, while your barbecueing, lighting fireworks or just enjoying your "holiday".......do me a favor, find a veteran and thank them.