Gunny A. J. Squaredaway USMC

Murphy’s Law of When to Drink

November 18th, 2009 by Jack Orth | FLASHBACKS | | 0 Comments

There was a real chill in the air the other morning, and Trigger seemed to have more pep than usual. Like a Marine waiting for the slopchute to open, he pawed at the hatch at 0500, and was ready to run an extra-long patrol. Put on my tough-as-nails Leatherneck Square Webgear Jacket with the embroidered modern EGA and Marines in flat black and set off in style.

Went through the hatch, and was greeted by a chill that made you want to move out on the double .. and we did! Pulled down the parka-style hood a click .. and had a “flashback”!

It’s not supposed to be cold at Parris Island in November, but it sure was in 1950. Snapping in at the rifle range is no bed of roses, especially when it’s cold. The rifle range instructors, along with our D.I.’s, were their usual caring selves. They constantly reminded us in no uncertain terms that “Luke the Gook” didn’t care if it was 20 below zero when we got to Korea, he’d still be game for putting a round between our horns at any time! This, of course, was a pleasant thought, especially with Thanksgiving a few days away. Naturally they were right, as many of us found out down the road when going to Korea.

When a young Marine is away from his family on Thanksgiving, it’s sort of like your girlfriend telling you she’s been invited over to Jimmy Jones house for turkey dinner! Jimmy is the high school football captain, and you’re at Parris Island being called every name in the book .. and then some! But, a full-blown turkey dinner in the mess hall at the range will take the sting away for the 20 minutes or so you get to finish the feast!

Our platoon was in formation before heading to the chow hall, and one of our D.I.’s decided to set the stage for our holiday meal!

“If you maggots were at home in your warm quarters, you just might be allowed a sip of wine at the family table.” Then he stood eyeball to eyeball with a boot named Murphy. “Murphy, being Irish, you just might have a sip of the devil’s brew at times. Do you drink, maggot?!”

“Sir! Only when I’m alone or with somebody, Sir!”

The D.I. screamed at Murphy, and told him to report to his “house” after chow. Murphy made our Thanksgiving a great one .. he had stood his ground, and added great humor to the day.

I hope Murphy is alive and well this Thanksgiving, and isn’t alone. He should be surrounded by family. I also hope he tells about his great reply to a D.I. at Parris Island .. and ya know, I’ll bet the D.I.s from our platoon remember that wonderful comeback by Murphy, and laugh like hell every Thanksgiving!

Whatever Mess Hall you’re visiting this year for turkey day … ENJOY!

Semper Fi ….. The Gunny

2009 United States Marine Corps Birthday Message

November 12th, 2009 by Jack Orth | FLASHBACKS | | 0 Comments

To past, present and future Marines. Thought you might like to view “The 2009 United States Marine Corps Birthday Message, from Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen James T. Conway. Join Marines and their supporters around the globe as they celebrate the 234th birthday of the USMC on November 10, 2009.”

It’s why we are who we are, and what makes The United States of America so great.

Semper Fi

The Gunny

Remembering the USMC – 1775 to 2009

November 4th, 2009 by Jack Orth | FLASHBACKS | | 0 Comments

Can’t believe it’s Birthday time again! I’m at an age when I think I was back at The Tun Tavern in 1775, signing on the dotted line and heading off to boot camp! Well, I guess I don’t feel 234 years old .. but, some days I’m not too sure!

Checked out my “mini” Marine Corps medals for the Birthday bash at The Marine Corps League in Hendersonville, and pulled out my blue blazer from the locker to be sure it still fits. Then, took the Birthday Edition Polo out of the footlocker … the deep corps green long-sleeve polo is perfect with the sport coat … and ya gotta look good for the Birthday! The USMC EGA and Semper Fidelis logo set it off in great style, and I hung it in the locker for the big day .. then, had a flashback”!

I was back in boot camp in 1941, and had only been there a week or so. The shock of being there hadn’t worn off yet, and wouldn’t until practically the day I left! However, my initial feeling, along with every recruit there, was What the hell have I done? By the end of twelve weeks, I was thinking, I made it! I made it! The rest is a piece of cake!

The Marine Corps Birthday in 1941, kind of set the stage for me. I hadn’t been away from home for any length of time before, and the rude awakening at boot camp made me realize how good I had had it. We were all young, but one kid had just turned seventeen a few weeks before, and he enlisted in The Marine Corps. The chow hall served us cake on that Marine Corps Birthday, and I’ll never forget the kid from Kentucky.

While eating my cake, I remember thinking of my birthday coming up in December, and that I wouldn’t have a birthday cake this year for the first time. Then, “Kentucky” said in a low mixture of sad and happy, if that’s possible,

“This is the first birthday cake I’ve ever had!” How could that be? I thought .. Ya mean no one ever sang Happy Birthday to “Kentucky”, and he never blew out any candles? Well, it hit the other boots within earshot of “Kentucky”, and, practically in unison, we split our Marine Birthday cake in half and put it on his mess tray!

I must tell ya, it brings a tear to my eye thinking about it. Yeah, real Marines cry ya know! I hope “Kentucky” has had many birthdays since that day, and will have his slice of Marine Corps cake this year. It will once again bring him back to what the Marine Corps is all about. We’ve always taken care of each other .. and always will!

Oh, how fortunate we’ve all been to have joined forces with the first “Jarheads” to enlist in our great Corps way back in 1775. We all bitched and moaned many times when on active duty, but only to each other. Let someone other than another Marine wise off about our Corps, and they’d better stand by for a ram!

I join the other Marines at Leatherneck Square in wishing you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! May all of you have “flashbacks” to your first Marine Corps Birthday as a Marine, and if you happen to run into a Marine who doesn’t have a slice of cake on November 10th, set them up with a slice for old times sake!

Semper Fi ……. The Gunny