God Bless the Marine Corps (Vanity)

[Littlejon]

Sorry if this is the wrong place for this, so moderators, feel free to move it where it needs to be.

On December 2, my father-in-law passed away unexpectedly. He was 59 and died of a massive heart attack. I could go on for days about this man's character, but suffice to say he was a wonderful father and an all-around good man.

One of the highlights of his life was his service in the Marine Corps from 1966-1968, particularly his time in Vietnam. During his service, he had his picture taken by a photographer after coming off patrol. The picture was published in Leatherneck Magazine. His family had this magazine sent to their home, so this picture was the first evidence his mother had that he was alive in many months. According to family members, she cried for 2 days with joy.

2 years ago, my brother-in-law found the original picture and had it blown up and framed, along with a picture of his dad right after BT. While my father-in-law didn't talk much about his time in Vietnam, he was extrememly proud of the picture, as it was later used in recruiting posters for the Marine Corps.

This past week, while we sorted through my father-in-law's belongings, I heard story after story about my the man I knew, most about is service in the Marines. When I arrived back home, I took it upon myself to find the original magazine for my brother-in-law. I found out that the picture was originally published in the May 1967 issue, although his name was mislabeled. I searched eBay for a copy and found one for sale with a dozen more issues as a package. So, I e-mailed Leatherneck Magazine, half expecting to never hear form them. Within 2 hours, I had a reply from a woman who worked there telling me that she had been told to empty their old surplus magazines. She decided not to "follow orders" and lept all of the old issues. She told me she had ONE copy of this particular issue left in her files and she sent it to me FREE OF CHARGE!

All I can say is a hearty "THANK YOU" to this woman, the people at Leatherneck magazine and, especially the United States Marine Corps. May God bless them all for making the surviving family of one Marine a little happier during an unusually sad Christmas season.

Thank you all for allowing me to post this. Once I get the original picture scanned in, I will post it here for you all to see. (You will notice some striking similarities to another more recent picture of a Marine in combat!)

[Conservative Canuck]

Condolences for the loss of your father. We'll look forward to you posting the shot. Semper Fi!

[RaceBannon]

The Marine Corps takes care of their own Bump!

[Bush Revolution]

God bless you and your Father-in-Law. Semper Fi...

[zoobee]

What a great post....thank you for sharing.....

[Bahbah]

Great work on your part. Can't wait to see the picture. May God bless your father-in-law and all Marines.

[XJarhead]

Sorry for your loss. Sounds like the Big Guy has a real poster Marine to pull some of that guard duty now.

[Zacs Mom]

May I offer condolences on the untimely passing of your father-in-law ~ I am sure he received a glorious welcome from the Marines who line the streets of heaven!

God bless that wonderful woman who had the wisdom not to destroy the old copies of Leatherneck ~ and bless her, too, for the caring heart which responded to you in such a loving and giving manner.

I am married to a Marine and have had dealings with many Marines and I can tell you, from what I know of them, Marines have hearts of gold!

This past Christmas was my first without my mother ~ she had passed away a few months earlier ~ and the prospect of a Christmas without her really seemed unbearable to me. About a week before Christmas a small envelop arrived at my home and within it was a blessing I sorely needed. I share this blessing with you in hopes that it might bring you and the rest of this fine Marines family a measure of the peace it brought to me last Christmas:

Merry Christmas, Littlejon

[BykrBayb]

Thank you for sharing this with us. Your father-in-law sounds like an exceptional man.

Could you ping me to the photo?

[BykrBayb]

That's beautiful!

[82Marine89]

He IS and always will be a U.S. Marine. He doesn't need any other qualifications.

Semper Fi.

[RAY]

Please post the picture. Thanks!

[BykrBayb]

A Marine who served with honor.

[MudPuppy]

thanks for sharing your story.
Prayers and condolences on the loss of your father!

Marines with heart!...bump

[Littlejon]

Here's the scanned picture as it appeared in the magazine. His name is actually Gilbert, NOT George as was printed.

Thank you all for the kind words.

[Littlejon]

Sorry! I forgot to PING you guys! Anyway, the picture is above.

[XJarhead]

Great picture. Looks like one tough S.O.B.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Rest in Peace Brother
I am sorry to hear of your loss Littlejon

[MudPuppy]

p.s. The Marine Corps Association rocks.
I work on Quantico and pass by there often....know a few people that work there also :)

[BykrBayb]

I can see why he would be proud of this photo. So glad he was on our side.