‘Sparky’ Faltyn: Iwo Jima hero - The Sunday Dispatch

Sparky--I think my Dad knew you!


‘Sparky’ Faltyn: Iwo Jima hero - The Sunday Dispatch: "For WWII combat veteran Art “Sparky” Faltyn everyday is Veteran’s Day. Though the Exeter born and bread 92-year-old likes to say things like joining the Marines “was the worst thing I ever did” and the “Marines put me through holy hell from day one,” he often wears a Marines sweatshirt and hat and is proud of his service."

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First black Marines get Congressional Gold Medal for WWII service - latimes.com

I know everyone and their brother has covered this story, but i just wanted to say, "It's about damn time."

First black Marines get Congressional Gold Medal for WWII service - latimes.com: "The Montford Point Marines, named after the segregated North Carolina camp where they trained, and their surviving family members received the nation’s highest civilian honor during an emotional ceremony in the Capitol visitor center’s Emancipation Hall."

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NCO of the year: Embrace adversity and enjoy the process

Born in the communist block, Krzywonos is now the Non-commissioned Officer of the Year . Kudos to this Marine.

DVIDS - News - NCO of the year: Embrace adversity and enjoy the process: "“Above all else, winning is a state of mind,” said Sgt. Dariuz Krzywonos, field artillery surveyor/meteorological crewmember, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment. “To be successful, I know I must maintain a positive attitude and steady determination. But what has served me best, is that I have learned to embrace adversity and enjoy the process.”

After outshining seven other competitors to win top honors at the I Corps Non-commissioned Officer of the Year Competition, Krzywonos will move on to the Forces Command NCO Best Warrior Competition at Fort Bragg, N.C., in July"

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WWII Veteran Wins Car And Cashes It In To Help Wounded Warriors

WWII Veteran Wins Car And Cashes It In To Help Wounded Warriors: "A Trent Woods man who won a new car from a local dealership isn't keeping his good luck for himself.

Bill Vogelsang and his son decided to cash in the car Bill won at Hyundai of New Bern and donate the proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Vogelsang, who is 89, was a Marine Corporal in World War II and was awarded two purple hearts after being wounded at Iwo Jima in February 1945.

The donation to the Wounded Warrior Project is $17,000."

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How to Get Free Stuff From the Marines | eHow.com

At first I was a bit miffed at seeing "how to get free stuff" from our Marines. But I got to thinking about it and I am glad people want to advertise--or honor-- our marines with tee shirts and bumper stickers--so I guess I'm not so miffed after all.

How to Get Free Stuff From the Marines | eHow.com: "The United States Marine Corps maintains a website as well as local offices across the country to provide recruiting information and other services to the public. Marine Corps recruiters are available to provide information on joining the Marines and often supply the public with different types of Marine Corps paraphernalia including pens, posters, T-shirts, videos, information guides and other items. You may obtain these items a number of ways."

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‘We Don’t Want to Offend Other Cultures’: N.Y. Principal Reportedly Scraps ‘God Bless the USA’ From School Program | TheBlaze.com

I know right off what Dad would say about this nonsense--"why was I fighting in Iwo Jima? I suppose they didn't want to offend the Japanese, Nazis, and Mussolini's party. If our guys had not fought no one would have to worry about saying "God Bless the USA."  My dad would call that principle a traitor.

‘We Don’t Want to Offend Other Cultures’: N.Y. Principal Reportedly Scraps ‘God Bless the USA’ From School Program | TheBlaze.com: "The principal of a Brooklyn, N.Y. elementary school has reportedly pulled the song “God Bless the USA” from a kindergarten graduation ceremony so as not to offend other cultures, according to the New York Post.
The kindergartners had spent several months learning the song, which was set to close out the program, until P.S. 90 principal Greta Hawkins came into a recent rehearsal and told teachers to scrap it."

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United States Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion

Not my Dad's unit but related--they did the tough preliminary work--brave brave men those amphib recon platoons!

United States Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "The United States Marine Corps's Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion, formerly Company, was a specialized team of Marines and Navy Corpsmen that performed clandestine preliminary pre–D-Day amphibious reconnaissance of planned beachheads and their littoral area within uncharted enemy territory for the joint-Navy/Marine force commanders of the Pacific Fleet during World War II. Often accompanied by Navy Underwater Demolition Teams and the early division recon companies, these amphib recon platoons performed more reconnaissance missions (over 150) than any other single recon unit during the Pacific campaigns.[1]"

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Marine Corps Stories and Pictures

i love this web site--they have stories of our heroes for each of the wars the Marines were/are in. Here is the page and some snippets from The World War II section. Worth a look see.

Marine Corps Stories and Pictures: "Four WWII Marines
Posted by Sgt Grit Staff
This is a picture of Four World War II Marines, it is obvious they just got out of Boot Camp and they could be anywhere because Quonset huts were everywhere at that time. I say it is obvious they are boots because they have no ribbons, They have the leather belts and two have the Sharpshooters medal and two have the Marksman medal. Sharpshooters got $3.00 a month BUT Experts got $5.00 a month. Don't sound like much today but when you were getting $50.00 a month and they took …"

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Marine Corps cuts won’t affect current enlistments, top general says - News - Stripes

Marine Corps cuts won’t affect current enlistments, top general says - News - Stripes: "YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — The Marine Corps plans to trim its ranks by 20,000 over five years, but no Marines will be forced out of the service early, according to the Marine Corps’ deputy commandant for combat development and integration.

“Marines who raised their hands in a time of war can serve out their commitment,” Marine Lt. Gen. Richard Mills told reporters during a Thursday morning teleconference to discuss plans to shrink the Corps."

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