The "Private" Life of a Lady Marine

[dhermann1]

I just went on a scanning binge, and finally got this little gem uploaded. My grandmother took a number of my mother's letters from Marine Corps boot camp, at Camp LeJeune, NC, and put them together into a little piece that was published in her high school alumni newsletter. The high school was Richmond Hiil in Queens NY. My mom was class of 1937 there. It's just a couple pages, and I thought the effect was better to read it as originally printed.

 

[HepKitty]

that's really nice of you to share this

 

[MolonLabe416]

Outstanding! Thanks so much for taking the time to share.

 

[marineabilly]

Hello - thanks so much for sharing this. I am an active duty Marine (1995-present) and would love to put this on my blog if you don't mind.

Thanks again!
Cheers!

 

[Widebrim]

Liked the part about the Marine dogs that were recovering from wounds! The role of canines during WWII usually gets shuffled into the background. Oh, and the reference to the "G.I. party" was funny, and brought back memories. Some things never change...Thanks, Dan.

-Lee

 

[Rookie1]

Very cool. That should make you feel really proud. I like the part about the food. Almost sounds like shes at a 5 star hotel. Thanks for sharing.

 

[dhermann1]

Blog

Hello - thanks so much for sharing this. I am an active duty Marine (1995-present) and would love to put this on my blog if you don't mind.
Thanks again!
Cheers!

Feel free!

 

[Norumbega]

Thanks for sharing this.

My mum was a Marine as well, and posted out on the West Coast at Camp Pendleton during the war. She wears her Marine Corps locket every day.
As I posted elsewhere here, she was interviewed extensively by lead writer Bruce McKenna for the HBO series The Pacific, and her association with Lena Basilone.
We are fortunate that she has a scrap book which details many of her fellow Marines and a wartime Camp Pendleton. She talks about what a hub of activity Pendleton was as Marines left and returned from the Pacific Theatre.

Glad you posted this.

 

[Puzzicato]

That was so interesting! Thank you!

 

[dhermann1]

As is mentioned at the end of the piece, my mom wound up working at the Leatherneck, the Marine Corps magazine. My dad did lay out (he actually used an Exacto knife and glue when he cut and pasted!) and my mom did the letters to the editor. She had many cool stories, and knew many interesting people. One of their pals was the late Ernie Harwell, long the voice of the Detroit Tigers. I'll scan and post a very funny list she put together of all the places she lived within a short 2 year period in DC. Average stay was less than 2 months in any given place.
She once saw Admiral Nimitz walking toward her, and was so stunned she forgot to salute!
I'm in the process of scanning a bunch of stuff, which I'll post here.

 

[Feraud]

I enjoyed the read and look forward to more!
You obviously have a very interesting family.

 

[HepKitty]

Hello - thanks so much for sharing this. I am an active duty Marine (1995-present) and would love to put this on my blog if you don't mind.

Thanks again!
Cheers!

"Location: LAND OF THE FREE Because of the Brave"

thank you marineabilly

 

[MysteriousRed]

I must say this brought a tear to my eye. I've had many family members in the military (quite a few served in WWII) so this made a impact on me.

 

[Miss sofia]

Thank you so much for sharing this, a very interesting and thought-provoking read indeed.:eusa_clap

 

[dhermann1]

My mom's 2 short years in the Marine Corps were hands down the best years of her life.

 

[fortworthgal]

Very neat!!! What an interesting read. Thanks for sharing.