Image 2 - 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION ID PARAGLIDER HAT PATCH PIN UP JUMPING PARACHUTE US ARMY

THIS CLASSIC FIVE STAR HIGHLY COLLECTABLE PIN FEATURES FREE TRACKING & DELIVERY CONFIRMATION, 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 !!!!!!

 

We have been in business since 1986 and selling on EBAY since 2000. Make us your source for your Custom US Military Hats, Pins, Patches, Coins, & Flags!

VSPA.com: We Take Care of Our Own...Bring Them Home...OR SEND US BACK!!!!!!

 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 EEP40201 !l-48!!!!!!


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Picture 24 of 24

30th ANNIVERSARY US MARINE MULTINATIONAL FORCE BEIRUT COLLECTOR PIN, WITH SILVER OUTLAY & JEWELERS FINISHTM!

THIS PIN MEASURES 1 1/2 INCHES AND FEATURES A SINGLE BUTTERFLY BACKING!


MULTINATIONAL-FORCE-BEIRUT-HAT-PIN-US-MARINES-NAVY-24th-MAU-USS-BLT-1-8-REAGAN


I will never forget that morning....I was with Mike Company 3rd RTBN at Camp Pendleton on an early Saturday morning.  We were getting ready for a morning run, with the Privates and we just received word of the bombing.  THE BLT WAS GONE!  We had told the Privates what had happened....all kinds of feelings were going through our minds, as each of us knew someone directly who was there.  For me it was Sgt Petrie, who had just left the Drill Field.   P was a spirited Marine who loved the Corps.... We were all ready to go over there and fight or whatever else we could do.....something....in the mean time we knew that we had to do our current job.

 

Thus at 6:22 on that October morning the Marine mission in Beirut took a disastrous turn. A terrorist truck bomb carrying explosives wrapped around gas cylinders detonated inside the BLT barracks, killing 241 people and injuring more than 100 while they slept. Investigators from the FBI would later determine that it was the largest nonnuclear blast they had ever studied.

For the Marines, it was the largest loss of life in a single action since Vietnam; for the nation, it was the worst act of terrorism against Americans up to that time. In hindsight, it was a harbinger of what was to come.

The run for Mike Company, on that brisk morning, took on special meaning....as any Private who fell out....was yelled at and ask if they were hurting as much as those Marines with the barracks on top of them!  Needless to say no one else fell out! 

To SGT Petrie and the Marines of BLT 2/8....you will always live in my heart....May God give you rest & peace my Brothers....

Semper FI! 

Vic Veturis USMC Vet

           " THEY CAME IN PEACE "

Terry W. Abbott, USMC  Clemon Alexander USMC  John R. Allman, USMC  Moses Arnoldn Jr. USMC

Charles K. Bailey USMC  Nicholas Baker USMC  Johansen Banks, USMC Richard E. Barrett, USMC

Ronny K. Bates,USN  David L. Battle, USMC  James R. Baynard, USMC  Jesse W. Beamon,USN

Alvin Belmer, USMC Shannon D. Biddle, USMC  Stephen B. Bland, USMC  Richard L. Blankenship, USMC

John W. Blocker, USMC  Joseph J. Boccia Jr. USMC  Leon W. Bohannon, USMC  John R.Bohnet Jr. USMC

John J. Bonk Jr USMC  Jeffrey J. Boulos USMC  David R. Bousum, USMC  John N. Boyett, USMC

Anthony K. Brown, USMC  David W. Brown, USMC  Bobby B. Buchanan Jr, USMC

John B. Buckmaster, USMC  William F. Burley, USMC  Alfred L. Butler III USMC  Jimmy R. Cain,USN

Paul L. Callahan, USMC  Mecot E. Camara, USMC  Bradley J. Campus USMC  Randall A. Carlson,USA

Johnnie D. Ceasar,USA  Sam Cherman, USMC  Randy W. Clark, USMC  Marc L. Cole, USMC 

Marcus E. Coleman USA Juan M. Comas, USMC  Robert A. Conley, USMC  Charles D. Cook, USMC

Curtis J. Cooper,usmc  Johnny L. Copeland,usmc  Bert D. Corcoran,usmc  David L. Cosner,usmc

Kevin P. Coulman,usmc  Manuel A. Cox,usmc  Brett A. Croft,usmc  Rick R. Crudale,usmc

Kevin P. Custard,usmc  Russell E. Cyzick,usmc  David L. Daugherty,usmc  Andrew L. Davis,usmc

Sidney J. Decker USMC  Michael J. Devlin, USMC  Thomas A. Dibenedetto, USMC

Nathaniel G. Dorsey, USMC  Frederick B. Douglas USMC  George L. Dramis, USMC

Timothy J. Dunnigan, USMC  Bryan L. EarleUSN  Roy L. Edwards, USMC  William D. Elliott Jr,USA

Jesse J. Ellison, USMC  Danny R. Estes, USMC  Sean F. Estler, USMC  Thomas A. Evans, USMC

James E. Faulk,USN  Richard A. Fluegel, USMC  Steven M. Forrester, USMC  William B. Foster Jr,USN

Michael D. Fulcher USMC  Benjamin E. Fuller, USMC  Michael S.Fulton, USMC  William R.Gaines Jr, USMC

Sean R. Gallagher, USMC  David B. Gander, USMC  George M. Gangur, USMC  Leland E. Gann, USMC


Randall J. Gargano, USMC  Ronald J. Garcia USMC  Edward J. Gargano, USMC  David D. Gay, USMC

Harold D. Ghumm, USMC  Warner Gibbs Jr, USMC Timothy R. Giblin USMC  Michael W. GorchinskiUSN

Richard J. Gordon, USMC  Harold F. Gratton, USMC Robert B. Greaser, USMC  Davin M. Green USMC

Thomas A. Hairston, USMC  Freddie L. Haltiwanger Jr, USMC  Virgel D. Hamilton, USMC 

Gilbert Hanton. USMC  William Hart. USMC  Michael S. Haskell USMC  Michael A. Hastings, USMC

Jeffrey T. Hattaway, USMC  Paul A. Hein, USMC  Douglas E. Held USMC  Mark A. Helms, USMC

Ferrandy D. Hernderson, USMC Matilde Hernandez Jr, USMC Rodolfo  Hernandez, USMC

Stanley G. Hester, USMC  John W. Hendrickson, USMC  Donald W. Hilderth, USMC

Richard H. Holberton,USMC  Robert S. Holland,USN  Bruce A. Hollingshead, USMC 

Melvin D. Holmes,USMC  Bruce L. Howard,USMC  John R. Hudson,USNR  Terry L. Hudson USMC

Lyndon J. Hue,USMC  Naurice E. HukillUSMC  Edward S. Iacovino Jr,USMC  John J. Ingalls,USMC

Paul G. Innocenzi III,USMC  James J. Jackowski,USMC  Jeffrey W. James,USMC

Nathaniel W.JenkinsUSMC  Michael H.Johnson,USN  Edward A.Johnston,USMC  Steven Jones USMC

Thomas A. Julian,USMC  Marion E. Kees,USN  Thomas C. Keown,USMC  Edward E. Kimm,USMC

Walter V. Kingsley,USMC  Daniel S. Kluck.USA  James C. Knipple,USMC  Todd A. Kraft,USMC

Freas H. Kreischer III,USMC  Keith J. Laise,USMC  Thomas G. LambUSMC  Mark A. LangeUSN

James J. Langon IV,USMC  Michael S. Lariviere,USMC  Steven B. Lariviere,USMC Richard L.Lemnah,USMC

David A. Lewis,USMC  Val S, Lewis,USMC  Joseph R. Livingston,USMC  Donald G. Losey Jr,USMC

Paul D. Lyon Jr,USMC  John W. Macrroglou,USMC  Jack L. Martin,USMC  David S. MassaUSMC

Michael R. Massman,USMC Joseph J. Mattacchione,USMC Ben Henry Maxwell,USA  John McCall,USMC

James E. McDonough,USMC  Timothy R. McNeely,USMC  George N. McVicker II,USN

Louis Melendez,USMC  Richard H. Menkins II,USMC  Michael D. Mercer,USMC  Ronald W. Meurer,USMC

Joseph P. Milano,USN  Joseph P, Moore, USMC  Richard A. Morrow, USMC  John F. Muffler,USMC

Alex Munoz,USMC  Harry D. MyersUSMC  David J. Nairn,USMC  Luis A. Nava USMC 

Michael J. Ohler,USMC  John A. Olson,USMC  Robert P. Olson,USMC  Alexander M. Ortega,USMC

Richard C. Ortiz,USMC  Jeffrey B. Owen,USMC  Joseph A. Owens USMC  Ray Page,USMC

Ulysses G. Parker,USMC  Mark W. Payne.USMC  John L. Pearson,USMC  Marvin H. Perkins,USMC

Thomas S. Perron USMC  John A. Phillips Jr,USMC  George W. Piercy,USMC  C. Wayne Plymel,USMC

William H. Pollard,USMC  Rafael Pomalestorres,USMC  Victor M. Prevatt,USMC  James C. Price,USMC

Patrick K. Prindeville,USMC  Eric A. Pulliam,USMC Diomedes J. Quirante,USN  David M. Randolph,USMC

Charles R. Ray,USMC  David L. Reagan,USMC  Rul A. Revas,USMC  Terrence L. Rich,USMC

Warren Richardson,USMC  Juan C. Rodriquez,USMC  Louis J. Rotondo,USMC  Mark E. Salazar,USA

Guillermo San Pedro Jr USMC  Michael C. Sauls,USMC  Charles J. Schnorf,USMC  Scott L. Schultz,USMC

Peter J. Scialabba USMC  Gary R. Scott,USMC  Ronald L. Shallo,USMC  Thomas A. Shipp,USMC

Jerryl D. Shropshire,USMC  James F. Silvia,USMC  Larry H. Simpson Jr,USMC  Stanley J. Sliwinski,USMC

Kirk H. Smith,USMC  Thomas G. SmithUSMC  Vincent L. Smith,USMC Edward Soares,USMC

Allen H. SoifertUSMC  William S. Sommerhof,USMC  Michael C. SpauldingUSMC  John W. Spearing,USMC

Stephen E. Spencer,USMC  Bill J. Stelpflug,USMC  Horace R. Stephens,USMC  Craig S. Stockton,USMC

Jeffrey G. Stokes,USMC  Thomas D. Stowe,USMC  Eric D. Sturghill,USMC  Devon L. Sundar,USMC

James F. Surch USN  Dennis A. Thompson,USMC Thomas P. Thorstad,USMC  Stephen D. Tingley,USMC

John J. Tishmack,USMC  Henry Townsend Jr,USMC Lex D. Trahan,USMC  Richard Twine,USA

Pedro J. Valle,USMC  Donald H. Vallone Jr,USMC  Michael R. Wagner,USN  Eric R. Walker,USMC

Leonard W. Walker,USMC  Eric G. Washington,USMC  Obrian Weekes,USMC  Tandy W. Wells,USMC

Steven B. Wentworth,USMC Allen D. WesleyUSMC  Lloyd D. West,USMC John R. Weyl,USMC

Burton D. Wherland,USMC  Dwayne W. WigglesworthUSMC  Rodney J. Williams,USMC

Scipio Williams Jr,USMC Johnny A. Williamson,USMC  Walter E. Wint Jr,USMC  William E. Winter,USMC

John E. Wolfe,USMC  Donald E. Woollett,USMC  David E. Worley,USN  Craig L. Wyche,USMC

James G. Yarber,USA  Jeffrey D. Young,USMC  William A. Zimmerman,USMC





Are you looking for a meaningful birthday, holiday, or anniversary gift for you or your US Marine? This item the perfect way to showcase your loved one’s military service and honor.  This pin is a prized piece for any collection....especially for the Veteran or Love One, who has served or is still serving with pride, in the Corps!  Order extras for friends & family to show your appreciation for your love one's service to our country!

Pins fuel for me a passion for Marine Corps history connected to their distinguished heritage. These pins tie us back to our history, to the people who came before us, to all of the giants and to all of the little people ... who make the Corps work day-to-day. That's really what  these pins represents.  It's about the US Marines...from the Private to the Four Star General, it is the only service where everyone is called "A Marine"..... it's about people & their airplanes/equipment that make the Corps what it is! 

Image 7 - IWO JIMA COLLECTOR PATCH MARINES WORLD WAR II US NAVY CORPSMAN USA FLAG WW2 AP

 
"The raising of that Flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years!"
(James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy, 23 February 1945)
#gif from Today's Document

BE SURE TO LET US MAKE YOUR UNIT'S REUNION OR SODA MESS PINS/COINS/PATCHES...WE HAVE THE BEST PRICES ON EBAY AND CAN SET UP A SPECIAL AUCTION!


 

Welcome to our Ebay auction!  We are ranked among the most successful sellers on ebay!  Our goal is to give you a fun, safe, & effortless auction...  WE VALUE YOU AS A CUSTOMER!

I DO want this to be a POSITIVE experience for you on ebay....  we strive to deliver 5-star customer service, please contact me ASAP, if there are any problem so we can make things right.....


THIS IS NOT A CHEAP CARNIVAL/MID-WAY IRON FOREIGN MADE KNOCK OFF PIN THAT SOME OTHERS SELL FOR LESS ON EBAY..THIS PIN IS THE "REAL DEAL"....REMEMBER YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

This is an excellent gift for YOU or the love one on your list, to honor a special day or for any other gift giving occasion.

This collector pin is the most desirable of all Marine Pins & is considered the "crème de la crème" of aviation pins as born out by the exceptional detail!

The outstanding quality and detail in this pin will amaze you....Pins are the perfect gifts for the special people in your life!

PROTECT YOUR COLLECTION.....BEWARE OF PINS THAT SELL FOR CHEAPER PRICES OR SECONDS THAT WILL FADE WHEN EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT!



"Land of the free ... because of the brave!"

New York Spectator. August 23, 1831


“ The court of common pleas of Chester county, [New York] rejected a witness who declared his disbelief in the existence of God. The presiding judge remarked that he had not before been aware that there was a man living who did not believe in the existence of God; that this belief constituted the sanction of all testimony in a court of justice: and that he knew of no cause in a Christian country where a witness had been permitted to testify without such belief.

MEMORIAL SITE

Semper Fi Mac brings the internet's most extensive selection of Military, Aviation and Marine Collector Items to eBay.  We have been supplying Military Units with quality patches, pins, hats, and coins since 1986!

Now, for the first time, you can enjoy that same quality merchandise that we sell to our Marine Customers! Our specialty is authentic collector items supplied from the same patterns as the original units. Be sure to check out our other auctions and ebay store...Pay Pal and VISA/MCARD is accepted.

This pin is worn & displayed proudly!


"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 America

  Giving a pin, with a unit's or individual's insignia is a great 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 PIN 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 MARINE collector pin right now!

AN UNFORGETTABLE PIN....  AT AN UNFORGETTABLE PRICE!

THIS IS A VERY HIGH QUALITY COLLECTOR PIN!


WE CARRY ONE OF THE LARGEST SELECTION OF MILITARY ITEMS, FROM MANY OF THE BIGGEST & BEST NAME COMPANIES IN THE USA!

This is the BEST pin made period!  Check out the complete tight pattern, detail trim, trend setting style of this pin, unlike others, who use inferior materials for a cheaper price....you won't get that here...you'll receive an exceptional pin here,  you'll get what you pay for!

We sell more of these pins to, Marines, Veterans, and Collectors, than anyone....no cheap materials, rejects, or seconds here!

THE Pin IS NEW AND IN MINT CONDITION.

Great colors and design combine to make this pin a classic.

This is by far one of the best looking and exceptionally made pins out in the market and will make A GREAT GIFT THAT WILL LAST! 

This pin IS A MUST FOR ANY SERIOUS COLLECTOR!

This great pin can be pinned onto a jacket or hat, use it in a shadow box or display it as part of your military memorabilia collection.

THIS PIN IS A GREAT SOURCE OF INDIVIDUAL AND SERVICE PRIDE!

GIVE US A CALL NOW AND LETS TALK ABOUT US MAKING YOUR CUSTOM PATCHES, PINS, HATS, & COINS FOR YOU OR YOUR UNIT OR REUNION!!

If you do not see a pin 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 a pin...we just need a picture or time period to do some research and we can set up a special ebay auction, so you can get that special pin!

This pin will be carefully packaged and shipped to You if  you are the winning bidder!


OUR CRACK SHIPPING DEPARTMENT WILL RUSH YOUR COLLECTOR PIN RIGHT OUT, BY THE MOST RELIABLE CARRIER, USING THE FASTEST SHIPPING AVAILABLE!

We Ship Our Pins The Same Working Day After Your Payment Is Received

Typical US Postal scheduled pick up is at 5 PM & UPS is 5:30 PM!

Our Pins Are Carefully Packed And Shipped, In A Protected bubble mailer envelope... NOT STUFFED into A FLAT ENVELOPE and shipped like others do! 

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 Ebay!

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
Wpns Co. 2/9 81's Platoon

 


EMail us to save $$$$$$ ON Shipping on Multiple Items, as we can set up a special ebay auction! 

Need This Item In A Hurry? FASTER SERVICE IS AVAILABLE FOR AN EXTRA FEE


HUNDREDS OF OUR ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW AT LOW BUY IT NOW PRICES IN OUR EBAY STORE! 

FIVE OUT OF FOUR BUY THEIR ITEMS FROM US!

WE ARE CONSTANTLY TOLD WE HAVE THE BEST SITES ON EBAY!

GOD BLESS YOU AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ORDER

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 auction! 


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 a few years ago with my Fuji Stick...."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 Men
✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰ 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 Fighting
☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰ THANK YOU AMERICAN HEROES!!   


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 this attractive hat and notice how much attention is generated.


Hats are a great way to meet new people through appealing to the natural curiosity we all possess.

Hats 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 EBAY AUCTION FOR YOUR CUSTOM ITEM!

WE ALSO CAN MAKE YOU CUSTOM DOG TAGS & SHIPPING IS FREE WHEN COMBINED WITH THIS ORDER!

®1999 Semper Fi Mac All rights reserved.


Semper Fi Mac is an established, since 1986, and trusted name in the pin business.  We strive to provide our 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 pins, are of the finest quality. Our products come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee!


Please always use the ebay auction number in any correspondence & payments. This is critical, with not only our auctions, but to any ebayer!

SCHOOL CIRCLE THIS IS IMPORTANT 

BE A FORCE MULTIPLIER!


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 Ebay auction for you to purchase!

 


BE SURE TO ADD US TO YOUR FAVORITE LIST!

Our company provides both stock and custom pins 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 ebay auction 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 feedback on ebay.  I did my best there for you!  You deserve it!  Tanks Again Brother.  Norm Copeland FTCS/SS USN RET.




ANCHORS AWEIGH SHIPMATE




 BE A FORCE MULTIPLIER!



EMAIL THIS AUCTION TO THREE MEMBERS OF OUR MARINE FAMILY!

Image 2 - RIFLE EXPERT 15TH AWARD BADGE HAT PIN UP WEAPONS RANGE TARGET GIFT US MARINES

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!



KEEP EM FLYING!

JOIN OUR WINNING VETERAN TEAM & BUY THIS GREAT COLLECTOR PIN RIGHT NOW!

c


IF YOU CANNOT FIND YOUR PIN OR PATCH...WE CAN REPRODUCE IT.  WE ALSO HAVE SPECIAL REUNION PRICING PACKAGE...CONTACT US AND WE WILL SET UP A SPECIAL EBAY AUCTION TO MAKE YOUR 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
  
    

XX



BE SURE TO VISIT US AT AN AIRSHOW!



Please let me know if we can be of any other assistance. 
 
Thank you for your business, it is sincerely appreciated. We hope you will come back to see us again. Referrals are nice too.....Semper Fi

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 model Cadillac 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 the old biddy 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 the World 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 was Donald S. Davidson, USMC: France 1918

She turned away and made a straight line for the World
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 was 
Stephen 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 on Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968,
and the last on 
Darrel 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
and 
Darrel 
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 made it 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

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