THIS CLASSIC FIVE STAR COLLECTOR PIN FEATURES FREE SHIPPING IN THE CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES
...AND IS IN STOCK & READY TO SHIP, BY OUR CRACK SHIPPING CREW!
EXPERIENCE,QUALITY, AND SERVICE SINCE 1986
FROM A VETERAN OWNED COMPANY !!!!!!
Wehave been in business since 1986 and selling on since 2000. Make us your source for your Custom US Military Hats, Pins, Patches, Coins, & Flags!
Items are added daily, so bookmark this page & return often, for you will never know what we`ll have for sale from our stock of 14,000 items !!!!!!
Military issuied Debossed made in the USA Dog Tags, madefrom OUR DT350 Genuine MilitaryDog TagMachine.
This is the real deal MADE IN THE USA .
US MARINE RARE COLLECTOR DOG TAG!n
Do not accept anything but US made!
REGULATION SIZE DOG TAG WITH CHAIN..... PLEASE WRITE WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE IN NOTES WHEN YOU PAY....MAX FOUR LINES 15 CHARACTERS/SPACES PER LINE!
MADE IN THE GOOD OLE USA!
BE SURE TO ASK FOR OUR REUNION SPECIAL sale...WE CAN MAKE YOUR PIN, PATCH, DOG TAG, OR COIN AT HUGE SAVINGS!
Welcome to our sale! We are ranked among the most successful sellers on ! Our goal is to give you a fun, safe, & effortless sale... WE VALUE YOU AS A CUSTOMER!
I DO want this to be a POSITIVE experience for you on .... we strive to deliver 5-star customer service, please contact me ASAP, if there are any problem so we can make things right.....
These are official Military Identification Tags, \"DOG TAGS\" just like every USMC Marine wears today! We purchase our blank plates & chains direct from the military contractor so you can be assured that our tags are genuine issue!
These TAGS are Identical to those issued to our MARINES. Create your own personalized Dog Tag set today. OORAH Jar Head! These are the same tags worn in the Jarhead Movie.
Tags are Stainless Steel for corrosion resistance and have rolled edges designed for your protection. We debosses (imprint) the tags using original military Addressograph Graphotype equipment. The text is permanently stamped/indented into the tag blank for long life, easy to read, and extreme use.
The dog tag necklace or chains are staineless steel with stainless couplers. Our tags and chains meet military specifications.
Show your marine corps spirit by wearing your own custom made Dog Tags. Make them military standard or with your own personalized message. Send your Marine a personalized message on his dog tags so he can wear close to his/her heart!
Each Dog Tag jewelry piece can be personalized with your choice of engraving!
THIS IS NOT A CHEAP CARNIVAL/MID-WAY IRON FOREIGN MADE KNOCK OFFS THAT SOME OTHERS SELL FOR LESS ON ...THIS IS THE REAL DEAL MADE IN THE USA! REMEMBER YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
Thisisan excellent gift for YOU or thelove oneon your list,to honor a special day orfor any other gift giving occasion.
This collector dog tag is the most desirable of all Dog Tags & is considered the \"crème de la crème\" of Marine dog tags as born out by the exceptional detail!
The outstanding quality and detail in this dog tag will amaze you....This is the perfect gift for the special people in your life, which will last a life time!
A GREAT dog tag FOR YOUR COLLECTION OR TO GO ALONG WITH MEMORIES OF TIME SPENT IN THE CORPS OR TO SUPPORT YOUR MARINE!
\"Land of the free ... because of the brave!\"
\"Go to the Scriptures...the joyful promises it contains will be a balsam to all your troubles. That book...is the rock on which our republic rests.\"
\"Sir, I am in the hands of a merciful God. I have full confidence in His goodness and mercy...The Bible is true. I have tried to conform to its spirit as near as possible. Upon that sacred volume I rest my hope for eternal salvation, through the merits and blood of our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.\" [May 29th, 1845, just a few weeks before he died]
President Andrew Jackson
\"Some people live an entire life time and wonder if they every made a difference in the world, but the Marines don\'t have that problem.\"Ronald Reagan, President of the United States Of AmericaSemper Fi Mac brings the internet\'s most extensive selection of Military, Aviation and Marine Collector Items to . We have been supplying Military Units with quality patches, pins, hats, and coins since 1986!
Our specialty is authenticcollector itemssupplied from the same patterns as the original units. Be sure to check out our other sales and store.
GIVE US A CALL NOW AND LETS TALK ABOUT US MAKING YOUR CUSTOM PATCHES, PINS, HATS, &COINS FOR YOU OR YOUR UNIT OR REUNION! CONTACT US AND WE CAN SET UP A SPECIAL sale FOR YOU!
Now, for the first time, you can enjoy that same quality merchandise that we sell to our museum & unit accounts! Pay Pal and VISA/MCARD accepted.
This Dog Tag is worn proudly displayed by MARINES!
Giving a Dog Tag, with a unit\'s or individual\'s insignia is a military tradition intended to readily identify past and present. This is an impact award for immediate excellence. It does not have to go through a bureaucracy. Giving it to others is a sign of mutual respect...and shows pride in the individual and the Unit!
BUY THIS GREAT MARINE COLLECTOR Dog Tag NOW and People will wonder where you ever found this great item! You\'ll receive lots of compliments....don\'t miss out, buy this great collector item right now!
AN UNFORGETTABLE Dog Tag PIN....AT AN UNFORGETTABLE PRICE!
THIS IS A VERY HIGH QUALITY COLLECTOR ITEM!
What better way to show that you are a true fan, of that special Marine, than with this awesome new Dog Tag for your special Marine!
MEMORIAL IN CHICAGO TO HONOR ALL 58K WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN VIETNAM.....SEMPER FI
DOG TAGS ARE GREAT TO USE IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS.....
• ANNIVERSARY
• BACKPACK TAGS
• BIRTHDAYS
• CAR KEYS
• CHURCH EVENTS/ YOUTH
• EQUIPMENT
• FUNERUALS (believe it or not...people loved them...I would have never though of giving a special gift to honor your love one!)
• GREAT INEXPENSIVE GIFTS
• KEYS
• KIDS AT SUMMER CAMP
• LUGGAGE
• LOST LOVED ONES
• MEDICAL ILLNESSES
• MILITARY IDENTIFICATION
• PET COLLARS-CATS-DOGS
• SCHOOL & TEAM ID\'S SPECIAL TRIPS
• VACATIONS
• WEAR THEM FOR THE FUN OF IT..
• WEDDINGS
• YOUTH SPORTS & GROUP ACTIVITY
• THEY LOOK COOL!
We have made thousands of Dog Tags & have thousands of Happy Customers!
From all around the country and from all walks of life, business, military, civilian, government, charities...and we hae tons of repeat customers!
Groups that have bought our Dog Tags...Military Units, Search and Rescue (SAR) Groups, Police and Security groups, Paintball Teams, Bowling Leagues, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Guide Groups,Schools, Church Groups, Summer Camps, Campers, Survival and Outdoor Sports groups, Hunters and Shooters and more !
. Easy to readengraved text. You can even have different text on both tags at no extra charge. Five lines of engraved text, 15 characters per line.
2 REGULATION SIZE STAINLESS STEEL DOG TAGS & 2 Silencers (black)
27\" chain
4 FOUR Lines of Text MAX 15 CHARACTERS PER LINE
Characters include:
& . # \' \" , - * /
1234567890
Current USMC Issue:JOHN Q
123-45-6789
O Baptist
USMC LAbbreviations used above:123-45-6789--Social Security Number
O POS or A--Blood Type
CATHOLIC or C--Religion
T43--Year of Tetanus Shot
RA12345678--Regular Army Service Number
L (found on USMC issue)--Gas Mask Size, L=Large DOB--Date of Birth
AKA--Also Known As
Current Army Issue:
SMITH JOHN R
123-45-6789
O POS
CATHOLIC
Current Navy Issue:
SMITH, JOHN J
123456789
USN O POS
CATHOLIC
The is the BEST Dog Tag made period! Check out the complete tight pattern, detail trim, trend setting style of this Dog Tag, unlike others for a cheaper price....you get what you pay for!
We sell more of these Dog Tags to Marines, Veterans, and Collectors, than anyone....no cheap materials or seconds here!
Remember \"The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten...do not accept poor quality for cheap pricing!\"
THIS DOG TAG PIN IS NEW AND IN MINT CONDITION.
Great colors & design combine to make this item an instant classic.
This is by far one of the best looking and exceptionally made Dog Tag pins out in the market and will makeA GREAT GIFT, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO LAST!
This Dog Tag pin IS A MUST FOR ANY SERIOUS COLLECTOR
This great Dog Tag pin can be placed onto your jacket, shirt, or use it in a shadow box or display it as part of your military memorabilia collection.
This Dog Tag pin will be carefully packaged and shipped to you if you are the winning buyer
The DOG TAG PIN is A custom made collector item AND is regulation size, so you can wear on anything!
MAKE NO MISTAKE; THIS IS THE BEST-MADE MARINE DOG TAG EVER!
THIS DOG TAG MAKES A GREAT ADDITION FOR ANY COLLECTION OR AS AN INCREDIBLE GIFT!
THIS DOG TAG IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST FOR ANY SERIOUS COLLECTOR AND WILL BECOME AN INSTANT JEWEL IN ANY COLLECTION.
BUT MORE IMPORTANT, WATCH THE SMILE ON YOUR MARINE\'S FACE WHEN HE SEES YOU WEARING THIS!
THIS DOG TAG IS A GREAT SOURCE OF INDIVIDUAL AND PRIDE IN THE MARINE CORPS!
If you do not see what you want...we should be able to obtain one from one of our many sources. We have access to thousands of molds or we can custom make custom items...we just need a picture or time period to do some research and we can set up a special sale, so you can get that special gift!
EITHER BY BOAT, HELICOPTER, TANK, OR WHATEVER MEANS POSSIBLE...OUR CRACK SHIPPING DEPARTMENT WILL RUSH YOUR DOG TAG OUT, BY THE MOST RELIABLE CARRIER, USING THE FASTEST SHIPPING AVAILABLE!
Your Dog Tag will be carefully Packed And Shipped in a protected bubble padded mailer envelope, NOT STUFFED into a flat ENVELOPE!
Typical US Postal scheduled pick up is at 5 PM!
Shipping by this method is a little more expensive for us, but we find that this is the best way, for your item to arrive without any damage and in perfect condition, as you see it here on !
A COMMENT FROM ONE OF OUR GREAT CUSTOMERS!
Rec\'d the hat today...it\'s the best. The bonus sticker was a real nice
touch. I really like that you boxed the hat for shipping; I have rec\'d
flattened ones from others...I\'ve learned my lesson and I\'ll be back to shop with you again. I have left you positive feed back and would appreciate the same.Semper Fi!Carl Nelson
CPL - USMC 1983 - 1986
Weapons Co. 2/9 81\'s Platoon
ALL OF OUR DOG TAGS ARE SHIPPED, USING US POSTAL 1ST CLASS MAIL, FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE AND PROTECTION!
EMail Us to save $$$$$$ ON Shipping on Multiple Items, as we can set up a special sale!
Need This Item In A Hurry? FASTER SERVICE IS AVAILABLE FOR AN EXTRA FEE
HUNDREDSOF OUR ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW AT LOW BUY IT NOW PRICES IN OUR STORE!
FIVE OUT OF FOUR BUY THEIR ITEMS FROM US!
WE ARE CONSTANTLY TOLD WE HAVE THE BEST SITES ON !
GOD BLESS YOU AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ORDER!
SEMPER FI (Marine mottoAlways faithful!) GOD, COUNTRY, CORPS! SEMPER FI! AND YES WE ARE STILL ONE NATION UNDER GOD!
We also value two things that have become endangered, top quality merchandise and old fashioned service! We respect your time by making every effort to fill your orders accurately and as promptly as possible. Your business is our livelihood! I ALWAYS...ALWAYS ANSWER EMAILS...if you have any questions...or problems....or if you do not receive a reply back that day.... Please contact us by clicking the option \"ask a question\" near the top of this sale!
YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR NUMBER 1 GOAL!WE MEAN JUST THAT! We hold ourselves to the highest standard....we don’t compromise on our ethics for any reason, period! Many companies claim a “customer first” motto. Our mentality borders on extreme: just satisfying a customer’s expectations isn’t good enough. We strive to amaze, astonish, & delight each customer by not just meeting – but exceeding – your expectations in every regard. Delighting YOU delights us. We’re addicted to receiving ecstatic testimonials - our customer comments are like oxygen for us… we need it to survive.
This is me twenty-five years ago....\"No I was not a hero...but I served in a Platoon full of them! \"
Units....MWCS-38 3d Maw/ 3/9 Marines / MCRD San Diego (Boot Camp)/ Edson Range Camp Pendleton/ SOMS MCAS El Toro!)
United States Marine Corps Honorable Discharge
If You\'re Proud To Be An American Wave This Flag In Honor Of The Fallen And Women Who Served Our Country For those who have served in the past For those who are serving now And For Those Who Are Still THANK YOU AMERICAN HEROES!! HISTORY OF THE DOG TAG!Submitted by: MCRD Parris Island
Story by Cpl. Justin J. Shemanski
MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. (Feb. 1, 2006) -- To many, it is just another piece of the uniform. Each morning, Marines slip shiny identification tags over their heads and tuck them beneath their olive-drab undershirts without giving them a second thought.
But, every now and then, these iconic military symbols come up in conversation, along with all the myths and rumors that accompany them. So what really is the story behind dog tags and the myths that accompany them?
The first recorded use of such tags came from the battlefields of the Civil War. Many soldiers feared if they were killed in action, they would run the risk of being buried in an unknown grave. After all, 42 percent of the Civil War dead remain unidentified to this day. To put their minds at ease, many of them took up the practice of marking all of their belongings with paper tags, and some of them fashioned their own \"dog tags\" by carving chunks of wood, which was worn on a string around their neck.
Needless to say, the practice caught on, and by 1917, it was mandatory for all U.S. combat troops to wear circular aluminum discs attached to chains around their necks.
By World War II, the tags had evolved into the size and shape recognized today. The only difference in the tags of yesteryear, is they came with a notch in the end of them, which is the source of one of the most popular dog tag rumors around.
\"I\'ve always heard about the notch in the [World War II] era tags being used to \'place\' the tag in a fallen soldiers mouth,\" said Dennis Yackus, director of education and collections at the Great Lakes Museum of Military History. \"It was sort of eerie to me.\"
To go into a little more detail, the myth Yackus referred to states that when a troop had been killed in combat, his comrades would take one of his tags and insert it into the mouth with the notched end between the two front teeth. Then, with a kick or nudge to the jaw, the tag would be come lodged between the teeth, ensuring it stayed secured for future identification.
Of course, the real story behind the notch is far less gruesome. This style of tag was used up until the early 1970s, and the notch only existed because of the type of embossing machine used during that period. It allowed the machine to hold the blank tag while it was stamped out. Current machines do not need the notch to hold the tags in place; hence the smooth-sided tags service members are issued today.
\"Now that I have done a little looking, the notch makes perfect sense,\" said Yackus.
It seemed though, that during research, one dog tag story led to another.
\"Before I looked into the notch myth, I never heard about the chain being symbolic for 365 days,\" said Yackus. \"So, while \'debunking\' one myth, I found another.\"
The next rumor is tied in with prisoners of war. Facts are few and far between on this particular piece of folklore, but it is said that \"official\" issued dogs tags are attached to a 365-bead chain for the first tag and a 52-bead chain for the secondary one. These numbers represent the days and weeks in a year. If this was indeed true, a prisoner of war would be able to utilize his tag chains as a means of keeping track of the days held in captivity. But, again, research can neither confirm nor deny this creative, but clever rumor.
These are just a couple of the most common myths that are currently swirling around the Marine Corps uniform and accessories, and the stories certainly are not limited to dogs tags.
Next time you hear a group of Marines arguing and carrying on about the significance of a certain piece of gear or uniform item, do a little research of your own. The answers could be surprising.
MARINES!
The metal identification tags carried by Marines today have their origins in the Civil War, although they were not an official part of the uniform until 1916. Union soldiers were the first American fighting men to routinely write their names and units on paper tags and pin them to their uniforms so their bodies could be identified if they were killed. Some troops also made identification tags of wood, boring a hole in one end so they could be worn around the neck on a string.
Soldiers also purchased pins and tags engraved with their names and units, but at best, these had limited success. According to the military, 42 percent of all Civil War dead remain unidentified.
Marines who saw combat in the Civil War also carried identification, but it was a personal choice, with the format chosen by the individual Marine. It was not until October 1916 that the Corps first required identification.
Order Number 32 specified that, “hereafter identification tags will be issued to all officers and enlisted men of the Marine Corps. They will always be worn when engaged in field service, and at all other times they will either be worn, or kept in the possession of the owner.” The same order said the tags should be worn suspended from the neck. This almost certainly gave rise to the moniker “dog tags” because of the similarity to tags worn by canines.
When issued to officers, the first identification tags had only the recipient’s full name and rank. Enlisted Marines, however, had their full name and date of first enlistment stamped on their tags.
During World War I, some Marines deployed to France as part of Army Gen. John J. Pershing’s American Expeditionary Force modified their Marine dog tags to comply with Army requirements. The Army assigned serial numbers to Marines in France and, to ensure uniformity, general orders issued by 6th Marines required that the Army serial numbers be stamped on existing Marine tags.
In 1940, the Corps required identification tags issued to Marines to include name and rank (for officers), name and service number (for enlisted), and religion, as reflected by the letters C, H, or P (for Catholic, Hebrew, or Protestant). The tags also contained information on a Marine’s blood type and tetanus inoculations, the latter of which was eliminated when the Social Security number replaced the serial number in the 1960s.
Despite advances in DNA testing, dog tags are likely to remain a part of the Marine uniform for the foreseeable future. Using DNA remains costly and time-consuming — and unnecessary if remains are found with a dog tag
LETTER FROM BOOT CAMP....
Dear Ma and Pa,
I am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before all of the places are filled.
I was restless at first because you got to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m. but I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing. We all haveto shave but it is not so bad, there\'s warm water & no out house!Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, fruit,etc., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food. Tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food plus yours holds you until noon when you get fed again. It\'s no wonder these city boys can\'t walk much. We go on \"route marches,\" which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it\'s not my place to tell him different. A \"route march\" is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks. The country is nice but awful flat. The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don\'t bother you none.
This next one will kill Walt and Elmer with laughter... I keep getting medals for shooting &I don\'t know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk\'s head and don\'t move, and it ain\'t shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don\'t even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes. Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy. It ain\'t like fighting with that ole bull at home. I\'m about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake. I only beat him once. He joined up the same time as me, but I\'m only 5\'6\" and 130 pounds and he\'s 6\'8\" and near 300 pounds dry.
Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.
Your loving daughter, Stephanie Marie
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in our products and services.
Next time you go out,show off thisattractive Dog Tag Pin and notice how much attention is generated.
Dog Tag Pins are a great way to meet new people through appealing to the natural curiosity we all possess.
Dog Tag Pins are great for starting conversations, excellent gifts, ideal for fundraisers, conveying a special message, and fun to collect and trade!
WE MAKE CUSTOM PINS, PATCHES, STICKERS, LANYARDS, AND COINS. CONTACT US AND WE CAN GIVE YOU A QUOTE AND SET UP A SPECIAL sale FOR YOUR CUSTOM ITEM!
WE ALSO CAN MAKE YOU CUSTOM DOG TAGS & SHIPPING IS FREE WHEN COMBINED WITH THIS ORDER!
Afraid of being outofferded or of forgetting this sale in time?
CAN\'T WAIT FOR THE sale TO END?
USE THE BUY IT NOW OPTION!
Marine Promotion at Marine CampFuji Lt. Victor Veturis ....Semper Fi
®1999 Semper Fi Mac All rights reserved.
Semper Fi Mac is an established, since 1986,and trusted name in the Dog Tag business.We strive to provideour customers, who include Military, Police, Fire, and many other organizations,with products and service at the best prices. All our products are inspected carefully to ensure that the highest quality is offered.The materials used, on these Dog Tags, are of the finest quality. Our products come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee!
Please always use the sale number in any correspondence and payments. This is critical, with not only our sales, but to any er!
SCHOOL CIRCLE THIS IS IMPORTANT
WE ALSO MAKE CUSTOM PINS, PATCHES, STICKERS, LANYARDS, AND COINS. CONTACT US AND WE CAN GIVE YOU A QUOTE AND SET UP A SPECIAL sale FOR YOUR CUSTOM ITEM!
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If the sale is closed, or your looking for quantity for resale E-mail me for more information. I can let you know when I will be relisting, or I can set up a special sale for you to purchase!
BE SURE TO ADD US TO YOUR FAVORITE LIST!
Our company provides both stock and custom Dog Tags to Museums, Exchanges, Army/Navy stores, VFW posts, CAF Exchanges, Sea Cadet Civil Air Patrol, Air Force, Navy, Air National Guard, Marine and Coast Guard Units world wide. Contact us and we can set up a special sale for your additional orders!
REMEMBER: AMERICA IS NUMBER 1 THANKS TO GOD\'S BLESSINGS!
A FEW GREAT COMMENTS FROM A FEW OF THE FINEST!
I thought that hat looked good on the web it is awesome, thanks man!!! I have been retired almost 16 years and am always looking for quality Navy stuff because I\'m proud of my service and proud of the Navy. You represent everything that is good about shopping with other veterans. Service was prompt the hat is excellent it arrived in perfect condition &the sticker& business card was a totally unexpected treat. I will be a multiple repeat customer& I will turn my buddies onto your e-bay store. I regret you only get 80 characters to leave response on . I did my best there for you! You deserve it! Tanks Again Brother. Norm Copeland FTCS/SS USN RET.
ANCHORS AWAY MARINE!
WE ALWAYS SEND A FREE THREE INCH STICKER ($5 VALUE FREE) AS A SPECIAL GIFT FROM US... SO YOU CAN SUPPORT THE TROOPS!
BE A FORCE MULTIPLIER!
EMAIL THIS sale TOTHREEMEMBERS OF OUR MARINE FAMILY!
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THE CHELSEY & HALEY COLLEGE FUNDS THANKs YOU!
Cemetery Escort Duty
WARNING....DO NOT READ.....YOUR MONITOR WILL TEAR UP!I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey\'s. Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time, 1655. Five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day.Full dress was hot in the August sun. Oklahoma summertime was as bad
as ever--the heat and humidity at the same level--both too high.
I saw the car pull into the drive, \'69 or \'70 modelCadillac Deville, looked factory-new. It pulled into the parking lot at a snail\'s pace. An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed; she had a cane and a sheaf of flowers--about four or five bunches as best I could tell.
I couldn\'t help myself. The thought came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste: \'She\'s going to spend an hour, and for this old Marine, my hip hurts like hell and I\'m ready to get out of here right now!\' But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in.
Kevin would lock the \'In\' gate and if I could hurry theold offerdy along, we might make it to Smokey\'s in time.I broke post attention. My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step
and the pain went up a notch. I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in Marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery.
I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me with an old woman\'s squint.
\'Ma\'am,may I assist you in any way?\'
She took long enough to answer.
\'Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these days.\'
\'My pleasure, ma\'am.\'
Well, it wasn\'t too much of a lie.
She looked again. \'Marine, where were you stationed?\'
\'Vietnam, ma\'am. Ground-pounder. \'69 to \'71.\'
She looked at me closer. \'Wounded in action, I see. Well done, Marine. I\'ll be as quick as I can.\'
I lied a little bigger: \'No hurry, ma\'am.\'
She smiled and winked at me. \'Son, I\'m 85-years-old and I can tell a lie from a long way off. Let\'s get this done. Might be the last time I can do this. My name\'s Joanne Wieserman, and I\'ve a few Marines I\'d like to see one more time.\'
\'Yes, ma \'am. At your service.\'
She headed for theWorld War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the flowers out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone. She murmured something I couldn\'t quite make out. The name on the marble wasDonald S. Davidson,USMC: France 1918.
She turned away and made a straight line for theWorld
War II section, stopping at one stone. I saw a tear slowly tracking
its way down her cheek. She put a bunch on a stone; the name wasStephen X.Davidson, USMC, 1943.
She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone,Stanley
J. Wieserman, USMC, 1944.She paused for a second. \'Two more, son, and we\'ll be done\'
I almost didn\'t say anything, but, \'Yes, ma\'am. Take your time.\'
She looked confused. \'Where\'s the Vietnam section, son? I seem to have lost my way.\'I pointed with my chin. \'That way, ma\'am.\'
\'Oh!\' she chuckled quietly. \'Son, me and old age ain\'t too friendly.\'
She headed down the walk I\'d pointed at. She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted. She placed a bunch onLarry Wieserman, USMC, 1968,
and the last onDarrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970.
She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn\'t make out.
\'OK, son, I\'m finished. Get me back to my car and you can go home.\'
Yes, ma\'am. If I may ask, were those your kinfolk?\'
She paused. \'Yes,Donald Davidson
was my father,Stephen
was my uncle,Stanley
was my husband,Larry
andDarrel
were our sons. All killed in action, all Marines.\'
She stopped. Whether she had finished, or couldn\'t finish, I don\'t know. She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully.I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car.
\'Get to the \'Out\' gate quick. I have something I\'ve got to do.\'
Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him. He broke the rules to get us there down the service road. We beat her. She hadn\'t madeit around the rotunda yet.
\'Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost. Follow my lead.\'
I humped it across the drive to the other post.When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best Gunny\'s voice: \'TehenHut! Present Haaaarms!\'
I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye--full dress uniform standing at attention
and a salute that would make his DI proud.
She drove through that gate with two old worn-out Marines giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice.
I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.Instead of \'The End,\'...just think of \'Taps.\'As a final thought on my part, let me share a favorite prayer: \'Lord,
keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas.
Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us.\'
Let\'s all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts. They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy.
\'In God We Trust.\'
Sorry about your monitor; it made mine blurry too!
\"If we ever forget that we\'re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under!\"
President Reagan
You are required to pass this onNOW!!!
IF YOU CANNOT FIND YOUR PIN OR PATCH...WE CAN REPRODUCEIT. WE ALSO HAVE SPECIAL REUNION PRICING PACKAGE...CONTACT US AND WE WILL SET UP A SPECIAL sale TO MAKEYOUR PIN, COIN, OR PATCH
BE SURE TO VISIT US AT AN AIRSHOW
A \'Veteran\' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one
point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to \'The United States of America,\' for an amount of \'up to, and including his life.\'
That is honor and there are way too many people in this country today, who no longer understand this...to those who do....Semper Fi
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Once again thank you for your purchase...we look forward to hearing from you TODAY!
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\"Being ready is not what matters. What matters is winning after you get there.\"
(Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak, USMC, April 1965.)
\"You don\'t hurt \'em if you don\'t hit \'em.\" (Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, USMC, 1962.)
\"Retreat Hell! We\'re just attacking in another direction.\" (Attributed to Major General Oliver P. Smith, USMC, Korea, December 1950.)
\"Goddam it, you\'ll never get the Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole! Follow me!\" (Captain Henry P. \"Jim\" Crowe, USMC, Guadalcanal, 13 January 1943.)
\"Come on, you sons of bitches-do you want to live forever?\" (Attributed to Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daly, USMC, Belleau Wood, June 1918.)
\"Once a Marine, always a Marine!\" (MSgt Paul Woyshner, a 40-year Marine, is credited with originating this expression during a taproom argument with a discharged Marine.)
\"I can\'t say enough about the two Marine divisions. If I use words like brilliant, it would really be an under-description of the absolutely superb job they did in breaching the so-called impenetrable barrier. . .Absolutely superb operation, a textbook, and I think it\'ll be studied for many, many years to come as the way to do it.\" (General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, USA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 27 February 1991.)
\"I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world.\" (General Douglas MacArthur, USA, outskirts of Seoul, 21 September 1950.)
\"Casualties many; Percentage of dead not known; Combat efficiency; we are winning.\" (Colonel David M. Shoup, USMC, Tarawa, 21 November 1943.)
\"The deadliest weapon in the world is a MARINE and his rifle!\"
GEN. PERSHING, US.ARMY
\"Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I am attacking!\"
FERDINAND FOCH
\"The more MARINES I have around the better I like it!\"
GEN. MARK CLARK, U.S. ARMY
\"I want you boys to hurry up and whip these Germans so we can get out to the Pacific to kick the s**t out of the purple-pissing Japanese, before the Godda**ed MARINES get all the credit!\" Lt General George Patton, US Army 1945
\"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.\" GEORGE ORWELL
\"Sometimes it is entirely appropriate to kill a fly with a sledge-hammer!\"
MAJ. HOLDREDGE
\"A ship without MARINES is like a garment without buttons.\"
ADM. DAVID PORTER, USN
\"The MARINES have landed and have the situation well in hand!\"
RICHARD HARDING DAVIS
\"Casualties many; Percentage of dead not known; Combat efficiency: we are winning!\"
COL. DAVID M. SHOUP, USMC
\"I can never again see a UNITED STATES MARINE without experiencing a feeling of reverence.\"
GEN. JOHNSON, U.S. ARMY
\"The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a MARINE CORPS for the next 500 years.\"
JAMES FORRESTAL, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
\"Come on, you sons of b*****! Do you want to live forever?\"
GySgt. DANIEL DALY, USMC
\"We\'re not retreating, Hell! We\'re just attacking in a different direction!\"
GEN. OLIVER SMITH, USMC
\"I have just returned from visiting the MARINES at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world!\"
GEN. DOUGLAS MACARTHUR, U.S. ARMY
\"Teufelhunde! (Devil Dogs)\"
GERMAN SOLDIERS, WW1 at BELLEAU WOOD
\"So they\'ve got us surrounded, good! Now we can fire in any direction, those b*****ds won\'t get away this time!\"
CHESTY PULLER, USMC
\"We have two companies of MARINES running all over this island and thousands of ARMY troops doing nothing!\"
GEN. JOHN VESSEY, CHAIRMAN OF JOINT CHIEFS
\"Retreat hell! We just got here!\"
CAPT. LLOYD WILLIAMS, USMC
\"The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of MARINES. LORD, how they could fight!\"
MAJ. GEN. FRANK LOWE, U.S. ARMY
\"Panic sweeps my men when they are facing the AMERICAN MARINES.\"
CAPTURED NORTH KOREAN MAJOR
\"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don\'t have that problem.\"
PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN, 1985
\"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and those who have met them in battle. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.\" Unknown
WE STOLE THE EAGLE FROM THE AIR FORCE, THE ANCHOR FROM THE NAVY AND THE ROPE FROM THE ARMY.
ON THE SEVENTH DAY WHILE GOD RESTED, WE OVERRAN HIS PERIMETER, STOLE THE GLOBE AND WE\'VE BEEN RUNNING THE WHOLE SHOW EVER SINCE.
WE LIVE LIKE SOLDIERS, TALK LIKE SAILORS, AND SLAP THE HELL OUT OF BOTH OF THEM.
WARRIORS BY DAY, LOVERS BY NIGHT, PROFESSIONALS BY CHOICE, AND MARINES BY THE GRACE OF GOD.
Every now and then, in the middle of the constant barrage of trash that’s just lighting us all up these days, we come across a story, a feat, an event that just makes us stop in our tracks. This was one for me.... Cody Green was a 12-year kid in Indiana who was diagnosed with leukemia at 22 months old. He loved the Marines, and his parents said he drew strength and courage from the Marine Corps. as ...he bravely fought the battle into remission three times. Although he was cancer-free at the time, the chemotherapy had lowered his immune system and he developed a fungus infection that attacked his brain. Two weeks ago, as he struggled to fend off that infection in the hospital, the Marines wanted to show how much they respected his will to live, his strength, honor and courage. They presented Cody with Marine navigator wings and named him an honorary member of the United States Marine Corps. For one Marine, that wasn’t enough ... so that night, before Cody Green passed away, he took it upon himself to stand guard at Cody’s hospital door all night long, eight hours straight.Nowhere on the face of this planet is there a country so blessed as we to have men and women such as this. I wish I could personally tell this Marine how proud he makes me to be a MARINE!
God... I do so love this country.
ONCE A MARINE....TO ALL THOSE WHO SERVE .....SEMPER FI
VIC VETURIS USMC VET
