This page is dedicated to the men and women who serve, and have served in the United States Marine Corps.

Aside from kicking ass and taking names, our beloved Marines are busy helping Santa this time of year.

Please donate a new unwrapped toy to the 'Toys for Tots' program. This generous program, organized by USMC provides Christmas presents to disadvantaged children.

I could fill this page with USMC pictures and stories that would make your hair stand on end. ( I will, too, but first I think it's important to help spread the message about the Toys for Tots).

Let's help the Marines help the kids! Click here to make a donation, or to request help for a child you know.

MISSION:
The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

GOAL:
The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

ACTIVITIES:
The principal Toys for Tots activity which takes place each year is the collection and distribution of toys in the communities in which a Marine Corps Reserve Unit is located.  In communities without a Reserve Unit, the campaign can be conducted by a Marine Corps League Detachment or group of men and women, generally veteran Marines, authorized by Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to conduct a local Toys for Tots campaign.  Local Toys for Tots Campaign Coordinators conduct an array of activities throughout the year, which include golf tournaments, foot races, bicycle races and other voluntary events designed to increase interest in Toys for Tots, and concurrently generate toys and monetary donations.

A Soldier's Christmas Poem

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
And had to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, No Presents, Not even a tree.

No stocking by the mantle, just boots full of sand.
On the wall hung pictures, of a distant land.

With Medals and Badges, Awards of all kinds,
A sober thought, came to mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a Soldier, Once I could see clearly.

The Soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor, In his one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, The room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured, A United States Soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, The floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw this night,
Owed their lives to these Soldiers, who where willing to fight.

Soon around the world, children would play,
And grownups would celebrate, a bright Christmas day.

They enjoyed Freedom, each month of the year,
Because of these Soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder, how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve, In a land Far from home.

The very thought, brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The Soldier awakened, and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for Freedom, I don't ask for more,
My life is my God, My Country, My Corps."

The Soldier rolled over, and soon drifted to sleep.
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, So silent and still
And we both shivered from the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,
This Guardian of Honor, so willing to fight.

Then the Soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
Whispered, "Carry on Santa. It's Christmas Day, All is Secure."

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.

Merry Christmas my friend, And to all a good night.

USMC Color Guard

The color guard from Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Rota, Spain stand at the Iron Mike memorial area at Belleau Wood during a wreath laying ceremony ito honor the more than 1,800 Marines who died in the World War I Battle for Belleau Wood.

In Loving Memory

Okinawa Marine Dies in Afghanistan 

10/29/2011  By 1st Lt. Justin Jacobs  , Marine Corps Bases Japan 

I had to include this amazing story about Sgt Reckless. Video below

Sgt Reckless was a  pack horse during the Korean war, and she carried recoilless rifles, ammunition and supplies to Marines. Nothing too unusual about that, lots of animals got pressed into doing pack chores in many wars.  But this horse did something more….during the battle for a location called Outpost Vegas, this mare made 50 trips up and down the hill.  On the way up she carried ammo, and on the way down she carried wounded Marines…

What was so amazing?  Well she made every one of those trips without anyone leading her.

I can imagine a horse carrying a wounded soldier, being smacked on the rump at the top of the hill, and heading back to the “safety” of the rear.  But to imagine the same horse, loaded with ammunition, and trudging back to the battle where artillery is going off, without anyone leading her is unbelievable.  To know that she would make 50 of those trips is unheard of.  Hell, how many horses would even make it back to the barn once, let alone return to you in the field one single time.

So here is a clip of her story and photos to prove where she was and what she did….

She was retired at the Marine Corps Base in Camp Pendleton where a General issued the following order…she was never to carry any more weight on her back except her own blankets.  She died in 1968 at the age of 20.

P.S. How bad was the battle for Outpost Vegas…. Artillery rounds fell at the rate of 500 per hour, and only two men made it out alive without being wounded.  Just two.  And a horse, and she was wounded twice.