Posted on 05/13/2005 5:55:54 PM PDT by AZHua87
WASHINGTON, May 13, 2005 – A man who probably is best known as the Marine drill instructor from the movie "Full Metal Jacket" and as host of the History Channel's "Mail Call" program visited recovering troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here May 12.
Marine Sgt. James King tells R. Lee Ermey, best known as the Marine drill instructor in the movie "Full Metal Jacket" that he plans to enter the Marine Corps Marathon and the New York Marathon after he recovers from the amputation of his left leg. Ermey met recovering war wounded at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington May 12 as part of a USO-sponsored visit. Photo by Michael E. Dukes (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.
"I thought I'd come down and see how they're treating you down here," R. Lee Ermey told one of the patients he visited on the hospital's Ward 68.
A retired Marine gunnery sergeant, Ermey said he retired long ago, but he never left the Marine Corps. "I've been with the Marines for 44 years now," he said.
"Semper Fi!" Ermey said as he greeted Marines and soldiers alike. The Latin term "semper fidelis" means "always faithful" - a philosophy Ermey said he thinks all military members share.
"I've seen all your movies and own the first two seasons of 'Mail Call,' said Army Pfc. Michael Hawkins, an Operation Enduring Freedom soldier recovering here. The National Guard infantryman, who suffered from blast wounds while serving in Afghanistan, insisted on standing despite his wounds, while he spoke to Ermey. They talked about Ermey's recent trip to Afghanistan, where he traveled on patrol with a transportation company. "All the best to you," Ermey said to Hawkins as he shook his hand before heading for the next room.
(Excerpt) Read more at dod.mil ...
"You're so ugly you could be work of modern art"
That was a choice line!
I did not care much for the Movie, but I enjoyed the performance and photography.
TT
R. Lee Ermey is definitely a piece of work, Pharmboy.
Stanley Kubrick hired R. Lee as a Technical Advisor for "Full Metal Jacket" while Bruce Willis was originally given the role of DI Gunny Hartman.
Bruce and Stan had "difficulties" on the set. Stan fired Bruce. Looked at R. Lee and offered him the plum role after a few minutes of ad-libbed audition.
What's also cool, is that most of R. Lee's lines are taken verbatim from Gus Hasford's novel "The Short Timers" upon which "FMJ" is based.
Jack.
Please repost info about the Marine Corps stamps as a reminder when they come out in Nov.
You missed the "magic" of the moment.
;^}
TT
After you run the marathon, after you go home, after you settle in, after the war is a long-ago memory, after most forget, there will always be a warm chair to welcome you.
Semper Fi, Sgt. James King.
Thanks for the ping!
I'm an Airman though he's my Gunny!
Created the role? Hell, he had lived the role. When I first saw the movie, I closed my eyes at the beginning when he came out yelling. I could vividly picture My DI in 1970, SSGT Conticelli. I could picture what was going on because it was so close to what ocurred when I first put my feet on the yellow footprints at MCRD San Diego.
You just needed about 12 more weeks of Basic, heh heh heh
I actually enjoyed parts of the experience but wished that we were pushed a little harder (only after I learned how to ignore blisters) guess I'm a glutton.
You were very observant, a good Squad leader would have picked that up fast and let you lighten his load.
Thanks for your Service.
TT
The first time I saw it, I was in shock, I was talking outloud, aghast, that they finally got it right!
I was laughing my head off, telling my friend who I was with what might happen next, then, when they did the "THIS IS MY RIFLE, THIS IS MY GUN" scene, before they said THIS IS MY GUN, knowing what was next, I was rolling on the floor so hard, people next to me didn't hear the first chorus! :)
By the end of the boot camp scene, people were so scared, they were turning to me asking if this was true, and I said YUP!
At least, on it's worse days, not every day, but certainly the worse days.
Mail-Call annoys me but he was good in FMJ. Unlike "Private Pyle" who I cannot abide even on Law & Order.
The Oscars proved their utter worthlessness when Ermey was denied a nomination for "Full Metal Jacket" in 1988. Albert Brooks received one the same year for "Broadcast News". No one remembers Brooks at all, while Ermey's performance is oneof the most powerful and memorable supporting roles in film history. Disgraceful.
You know, in character as Gunny on "Mail-Call", I think he'd make a damn fine White House Press Secretary or UN Ambassador. He-he-he and the Dims N Whinos fear John Bolton would be too direct.
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