Happy Veterans Day

Where it all began for me July 1968

I think this was back in 2000 when my car broke down on I-95

so I had a few days to visit the area.

Well deserved, Semper fi

The Army's Buffalo Soldiers and the Air Force's Tuskegee Airmen, or Red Tails, have had their day of recognition. Today the Montford Point Marines had theirs, as the Marine Corps and Congress honored 400 of the first black Marines by giving them the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian honor.

"This is something we didn't think we'd see in our lifetime," said 1st Sgt. William McDowell, as he received the medals on behalf of the group. He started to cry, remembering those pioneering Marines, who are no longer alive to receive this honor. He then caught himself and laughed, "My commander would have said "suck it up, Marine."

Seventy years ago when these black Marines enlisted, there were still Jim Crow laws in the South. It was 1942 and the height of World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt had ordered the military to enlist blacks the year before. The Marines were the last service to do so.

Navajo Code Talker Frank Chee Willeto

Another member of American Indian and United States history is gone.
On June 23, the Navajo Nation and Indian country received the news that Frank Chee Willeto, 87, former Navajo Nation vice president and Navajo Code Talker walked on at his home in Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico.
Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly requested the Nation flag to fly at half staff from June 25 to sundown June 28.

“I am saddened that we lost Frank Chee Willeto. He served his country and returned home and served his people in many ways. His life is an example of how to help people continuously until his last days. The Navajo Nation’s prayers and condolences are with the family of Mr. Willeto,” Shelly said in a Navajo Nation press release.

Willeto was born on June 6, 1925 in Crownpoint, New Mexico and enlisted in the U.S. Marines 6^th Division in 1944. After completing Code Talker training Willeto served in the Pacific Theater in Saipan and Okinawa. Following World War II, he returned to the Navajo Nation where he worked with the Bureau of Indian Affairs roads department from 1946 to 1974 according to the release.

He was then elected as a tribal councilman in 1974,
Willeto received the Congressional Silver Medal in 2001 for his service as a Navajo Code Talker.

The Title

It cannot be inherited

Nor can it be purchased.

You and no one alive

can buy it for any price.

It is impossible to rent

and it cannot be lent.

You alone and our own

have earned it with

our sweat, blood and lives.

You own it forever.

The Title

United States Marine



'Civilians cannot and will not understand us because they are not one of us.

The Corps-we love it, live it and shall die for it.

If you have never been in it, you shall never understand it."



I promise

I have had so many new emails and contacts about this blog recently. I will be back in NY April/May and hope to get more stories and pictures posted and if you have something to offer that you would like posted please send it.
Semper fi

Coop

10 November 1775 Semper fi

New pictures, Thanks Sgt. Shelhamer

Shel, sent me these two years ago I misplaced them and finally got them scanned.

 Bruce Didier

Getting ready for a little work detail on the "hill", left to right, Rich Bouzek, Chicago, next to him Jack Denahy, Centerville, Mass. and L/cpl. Guiterezz (spelling)
center back to camera no cover Roger Hawes, Tyler, Texas

Show Time, headed to the hill to work.

Remembering 9/11/2001

Semper fi

This Memorial Day........

I want to take time to remember those who served, are serving and those who gave all God Bless America.

Bye, bye Osoma, Congratulations to Navy Seal Team 6

A job well done

Thank you for your service

A friend sent me this in an email, I had to share it.

Happy Veterans Day to all Vets past and present, Thank you

This is the day in 2004 when my son Aaron returned from Iraq

Happy 235th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps

Semper fi brothers

L/Cpl Don Cooper 0331

1st Marine Division Da nang Viet Nam 1969-70

Thanks Joe

Thanks to Joe Chmiko, 2174386,(5534) served with 1st Marine Division Band from Oct, '66 to June '68, for sharing the above cartoon.

Some new pictures

I am sorry, someone, possibly Ruben, sent me these awhile back and when we moved they got shuffled, I don't think I posted them before. I also have three more to scan that I found sent to me by Shel.

Cpl. John P. Ziegler (wearing shades) KIA.

Ruben

Happy Veterans Day

to everyone who served and a special thanks to my dad, love you and miss you dad.
My dad is back row right side.

Also because I so was busy yesterday and had trouble getting on line a belated Happy Birthday to the Marines

And now back to Vietnam

Marine on left unknown, Willie Freeman from Atlanta, GA on the right.

Also Rich Bouzek matched some names with pictures that I will be adding to the various posts.
Thanks Rich

More shots from the Sgt. Eddie Ryan Poker Run

A salute to a Vietnam vet

Eighteen of my 26 years in law enforcement were spent with the Washington County Sheriff's Department. One of my Sergeants during that time was Sgt. Jack Williams. I knew Jack had been in different branches but I never learned what unit he was in during his Marine days if anyone knows let me know.

GRANVILLE -- John Arthur Williams, 74, of Granville passed away on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York, N. Y., following a long illness.He was born on March 30, 1935, in South Granville, the son of Floyd "Peanuts" and Jennie (Monroe) Williams.Jack graduated from Granville High School. Later in life, he attended Adirondack Community College, graduating with an associate degree with his daughter as the first father/daughter to graduate at the same time.He was united in marriage to Judith Caruso and recently celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary.
Jack enlisted into the military serving in all four branches of service in the Korean War and Vietnam retiring as master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.

After returning to Granville, Jack was employed by the Washington County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy and retiring as a sergeant.

Photo and write-up from Glens Falls Post Star.

The Adirondack Leathernecks Sgt. Eddie Ryan Poker Run

The guest of honor Marine Sniper Sgt. Eddie Ryan arriving with his parents, father Chris and mother Angie.
I was so honored to meet and shake the hand of this hero, I had to fight back tears as I told Eddie how much I appreciated his service for his country, and he said to me in a commanding voice, "And I would do it again!".

I salute you Eddie and Semper Fi!

Check the Help Eddie Ryan website here;

http://www.helpeddieryan.com/index.shtml

Getting ready to rock and roll

One hundred and eight bikes getting ready to roll out from Memorial Detachment #2 Marine Corps League on Rte 4 in the Adirondack-Lake George Chapter Leathernecks MC Poker Run to benefit wounded Sgt. Eddie Ryan.

Marine from the Greatest Generation passes on

I worked with Bruce when I first started my law enforcement career as a part-time police officer in Hudson Falls.

HUDSON FALLS - Retired Deputy Chief of Police Alan Bruce Manell, 87, of LaCrosse Street, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at the Glens Falls Hospital.Born on Feb. 26, 1922, in Whitehall, N.Y., he was the son of Joseph Eugene and Mary Louise (Robetor) Manell.

He proudly volunteered to serve with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, from October 1942 until November 1945. He was a combat photographer with Marine Corps Intelligence who survived two invasions in the Pacific, the Marshall Islands and Okinawa where he sustained two head wounds in the line of duty and was awarded the Purple Heart. Other awards included: Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, NYS Conspicuous Service Cross, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with 2 Stars, Combat Ribbon, and the Victory Medal. He was a past commandant of Memorial Detachment No. 2, Glens Falls Marine Corps League. His World War II experiences were presented on the History Channel for one-half hour, in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Note: Information and photo from Glens Falls Post Star

40 years ago.........

I read about Woodstock in a Time or Newsweek magazine.

Help a brother Marine

USMC Sgt. Eddie Ryan needs your help.

Eddie suffered a severe brain injury when he was shot in the head twice while serving in Iraq.

Eddie is slowly recovering and needs your help.

Check the website here;

http://www.helpeddieryan.com/index.shtml

Donate here;

http://www.helpeddieryan.com/donate.shtml

On July 25 the Adirondack Leathernecks, a Marine motorcycle club, will be holding a Poker Rally to benefit Eddie and his family starting from the Memorial Det 2 Marine Corps League building on Rte 4 Hudson Falls, NY.

For more info;
http://www.leathernecksmcadklgc.com/

*Above photo from the Times Herald Record

Heard from another Jarhead today

Received an email from Dan Gyllenskog served with 1st Mar Div Band 68-69 I only have one photo of him and his back it to the camera so send me another Dan.

Drop him a line at;

Dan Gyllenskog
275SOUTH300
EASTSMITHFIELD,UTAH8
or email him;
http://us.mc01g.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=dansdutchovens@yahoo.com

Also the address for Shel is;
Richard Shelhamer
945 US #1
CAMERON NC 28326
or email at;
tillwamc59@yahoo.com

If anyone knows the whereabouts of any of the grunts attached to the band like Rutherford, Chrismon,Bahnsen,Garlock,Golden,Garcia, and others that my mind can't remember now, please let me know. I am also looking for more pictures from you guys if you wish to share, email them to me. I will be scanning more asap.
Thanks Coop

Please checkout this blog

It is about MASS-3 - Marine Air Support Squadron-3 Vietnam - Hill 327 mass 3
http://mass-3.blogspot.com/

I need some help. I was on A-Line and next to us I believe were Seabees, and then high up on the hill overlooking us was MASS is this correct?

I have more pictures to post and also will post any you have so send them to me via email.

Thanks Don

I'm back and with good news!

In an earlier blog I had written about finding a lighter belonging to R.K. Shelhamer, a Sgt. I served with in the 1st Div. I found the lighter while re-building a bunker after Shel went home. Well he contacted me and told me he retired after 21 years and saw my story. I plan to send his lighter out asap. Here is the lighter and a picture of Shel.

It's been 40 years!!!

Semper Fi Shel

Dedication

In a change of pace from Vietnam, I have dedicated this post to one from the Greatest Generation, my father-in-law Army St.Sgt. Robert M. LeFebvre age 86, who passed away on Feb. 11, 2009 in Hudson Falls N.Y. He was born in Tupper Lake N.Y. and was a member of Merrills Marauders in Burma during WWII.

Click on to blow up the below newspaper article for better reading.