One Marine, One Ship

Originally Las Vegas Review-Journal ^ | 22 Oct 2000 | Vin Suprynowicz

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks, it is an old favorite.

[ErnBatavia]

When the Hasbro Toy Co. called up some years back, asking permission to put the retired colonel's face on some kid's doll, Mitchell Paige thought they must be joking. But they weren't. That's his mug, on the little Marine they call "GI Joe."

Fifteen years or so ago, I got to visit Mitchell "just call me Mitch" Paige at his home here in La Quinta. His wife and my Mom were DAR buddies, hence the arrangement.

I'd obtained one of those GI Joes and he autographed the (still) unopened box. When I referred to it as a doll he smilingly corrected me: "Please - I prefer 'action figure'",

As a former Jarhead, the visit thrilled me. His study was chock full of USMC memorabilia, and of course, 'the medal'....

[DuncanWaring]

I recall you mentioning that once upon a time.

The one guy I wish I could have met is “Red” Irwin.

[Alas Babylon!]

Excellent. I'll pour you a tumbler of The Famous Grouse. Would you like that neat, or on the rocks?

Sipping the whiskey can put you in the mood even if General Flem Pickering can't serve it up to you!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

On the rocks please. :)

Actually it is a pretty good drink.

[backwoods-engineer]

Excellent. I'll pour you a tumbler of The Famous Grouse.

Know what's funny about this? I used to hunt grouse with some guys in NC. They would stay down at this guy's vacation home in the NC mountains, and hunt grouse all day, and mostly drink at night. (I'd have one, but that's all; not a big drinker.) They would say, "we don't always shoot one, but we always have a Grouse!"