20 November 1943: Tarawa

Chosin Reservoir, 1950

Crisp salute to the U. S. Marine Corps veterans of the 1st Marine Division, soldiers of the 7th Light Infantry Division, British Marines, and all other attachments who participated in this great and costly battle. Semper Fidelis.

'Nuff Said

Veterans' Day, 2009

Never Be Forgotten
By Leslie Lynn King

Champions of freedom meet
in patriotic ground,
while living hero tears
are dropped without a sound.
Whispers sing softly--
Never be forgotten...

With pounding, burning sulfur
sweat and blood mixes true;
while lungs breathe in shrapnel
hands carry red, white, and blue.
Whispers sing softly--
Never be forgotten...

Chipping lives in weathered stones
History tells the story,
of common men and women
plunged into the extraordinary...
Whispers sing softly--
Never be forgotten...

Slow stepped, dirty sneakers
tramp on solemn, sunken graves;
novelty of cameras
flash only on certain days.
Whispers sing softly--
Never be forgotten...

Their battles so long over,
some souls sit living guilty,
remembering and wondering...
why my friends and not me?
Whispers sing softly--
Never be forgotten...

On foreign fields alone
blood soaks deeper in time,
telling stories of liberty
and making it truly mine.
Whispers sing softly--
Never be forgotten...

Memories and relics
service felt so true,
meet with haunting whispers...
I will never forget you.

Copyright Leslie Lynn King, 2009

The Hallmark of our Corps

Today is a day for remembering the Marines with whom I served during my career; it is a day of celebrating what the United States Marine Corps does for the American people, and what it did for me. To all Marines, past and present … I salute you.

Semper Fidelis,

Mustang out

Welcome Aboard

I am proud to congratulate Private Daniel Good upon his graduation from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Daniel is a native of Manassas Park, Virginia, and the son of proud parents Lynnie Mehus and David Good, also a natives of Virginia.

After high school, Daniel enrolled in undergraduate studies, completing his first year with excellent grades. It was during his second semester that Daniel decided to commit himself to serving his country as a United States Marine.

According to his cousin, a good friend, Daniel is the “strong and silent type, who lives Roosevelt’s admonition, ‘Be sure you’re right, and then go ahead.’” In literature, Daniel earned the reputation of a deep thinker, and one who is able to develop keen insight to complex issues; he has an intense interest in genealogy and American history.

“Daniel is the first Marine in our family; we’re all very proud of him,” his cousin told me.

Private Good reported to Camp Geiger, North Carolina for infantry/field skills training on 7 July 2009.

A personal note for Private Good:

Life will present you with formidable challenges, but none of these will be more challenging than the crucible of Marine Corps Recruit Training. You have already achieved more than most young men and women are capable: you have earned the title United States Marine.

I have no doubt that the normal course of life will test your personal attributes. You will have many opportunities for notable achievement. You may receive medals for courage, certificates for your efficiency, and promotions for your combat skill and leadership … but there is no greater recognition than the acknowledgment you will receive from our citizens: they will instantly recognize you as one of their American Marines. Whether you serve for four, or forty years, once you are admitted into our unique fraternity, you are always a Marine … and every other Marine is your brother or sister.

May God grant you favorable winds, and following seas ...

Note: Disable playlist device before playing video (below)

Staff Sergeant Darrell Powers: Currahee

Former Staff Sergeant Darrell Powers, United States Army fought in the famed Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne Division during World War II. This is the unit featured in the popular television series, Band of Brothers. Sergeant Powers came from Clinchco, Virginia; he passed away of natural causes on 17 June 2009 —another of America’s true heroes who faded away with not a single mention by the national media.

Staff Sergeant Powers jumped into Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944 along with the other members of his now-famous company. After the airdrop, prevailing air currents moved Powers away from the designated drop zone and separated him from his company. He and another solder joined up and eventually located, and rejoined their company. Powers remained with Easy Company throughout the rest of the war. He participated in Operation Overlord (Normandy), Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge.

After Germany’s surrender in 1945, Powers suffered serious injuries in a vehicle accident enroute back to the United States; his lengthy treatment and recuperation caused him to remain in Germany long after Easy Company returned home.

Actor Peter Youngblood portrayed “Shifty” Powers in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, appearing in all ten episodes.

Staff Sergeant Powers’ decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with combat "V," Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, the French Croix de Guerre (with Palm), the Belgian Croix de Guerre (with 1940 device and Palm), the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army, and the Belgian Fouragere.

We can never repay our debt of gratitude to men like Staff Sergeant Powers, but we do know this: he is not standing alone.