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A Letter From a Marine Mom to the United States Marines

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Happy Birthday Marine Corps

November 10th, 2012 is the 237th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. So as a Marine Mom with two sons in the Marines I say “Happy Birthday United States Marine Corp and may you continue to turn out men of character, honor, dedication and bravery.”

Proud Mom of two US Marines

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If I could send a letter to the Marine Corps on their birthday this is what I would send.

A Letter From a Marine Mom

“Dear United States Marine Corps,

I give you my sons, knowing they will be Marines for life, as becoming Marines is not a part time endeavor but a pride and family bond that carries through to civilian life. So in essence I am also welcoming the Marine Corps into my family. 

I have seen the result of your training, how you have built them up not just physically  but mentally, and with a sense of honor and commitment. It is the goal of the Corps to  strengthen their character, instill a sense of pride of country and service to others.  The training and discipline instilled into these young men and women is beyond any other branch of the military. The sense of pride in being a Marine is evident.

I place my trust in their commanders, sergeants, and their fellow Marines to make wise decisions and to act promptly in times of adversity. May they always  take the title US Marine seriously and not disgrace themselves, their company, or their country., always remembering that the person beside them has a Mother at home with a prayer and love in her heart for her Marine.

God please protect them in harms way, watch over them, guide them, and lead now and forever.

With Love, 

A Marine Mom”

Every year I try and write a letter to the USMC, below are two of them, I don’t know if anyone in the Marine Corps ever sees them, but it’s nice to know other Marine families do and appreciate the thought. I hope to always speak the truth, relay hope, and express my pride and thankfulness in our military.

A letter from a Marine Mom to the USMC. This Mother of two Marines writes a letter to the Marine Corps as a way of gratitude for her Marine sons.2015 Marine Mom Letter to the USMC Commandant on the 240th birthday of the Marine Corps

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A Marine Mom’s Real Fear

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Camp Bastion Attack

On Friday September 15, 2012  two Marines were killed at Camp Bastion in Southern Afghanistan by what is claimed to be a Taliban attack.  This was just just a few days after the September 11, attack on Bengazi. This series of events sent a chill through my spine. My oldest Marine son had just returned from Leatherneck/Bastion in August (OEF 12.1) and I was thankful to have him home during his post deployment leave.

He was assigned to MALS 16, or Marine Aviation Logistics and spent his time between the hangers, the flight line, and the warehouse. He worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week on night crew, during the same time the attacks occurred. He always assured me he was safe, there hadn’t been IDF (indirect fire) the whole time while he was there. He was inside the wire with nothing to worry about.

This created a false security with Mom back in Nebraska. I had the attitude that he was just as safe on this base as he was in Yuma. (Which in a way is a good way to view a deployment) Marines are told “Don’t give information that would cause your family back home to worry”

Marine in Afghanistan

How wrong I was. He could have been in the Harrier hanger when it was bombed, it was his replacements who got injured.  Thoughts run through my mind now of how I would be feeling had my son still been deployed and working in the shop on night shift. Could I even sleep until I knew he was safe? I’m sure I would be calling his FRO (Family Readiness Officer) for the latest news. But he’s stateside now, I got to hug him and tell him I love him. He’s safe and I thank God for bringing him home.

During his leave he showed me his deployment photos and where slept in the barracks  “next to the wire”. I’ve heard the phrases “outside the wire”, “inside the wire”, and there is a big distinction between the two. For those Marines who never get “outside the wire” moving “next to the wire” may be a subtle difference, but it’s a big deal. The small huts I saw in the photos were the same ones described in news accounts that may of aided in the attack. (don’t have permission to post those, for OPSEC can only publish non distinct photos without landmarks)

He said it was kinda crazy being able to see the wire and know just beyond, within eyesight, was clear and present danger.

AEF 12.1 Camp Bastion, Afghanistan
AEF 12.1 Camp Bastion, Afghanistan

Many Marines were disarmed previously in the year, and unarmed, although my son told me his unit always carried their weapons with clips. (see above) It has been over two years since the Benghazi and Bastion attacks of 2012 and my son is still outraged over what happened and the coverup. Families are still trying to get answers over a year later on how this happened. A year later four Marines from my son’s base in Yuma Arizona received the Purple Hearts they deserved.

I pray for the all Marines and troops in harms way and for their families at home worrying about them. Although I am furious at the indifference the media seems to have on the incredible increase of attacks and violence against Americans and our allies in the Middle East and Muslim countries.

The attack on Bengazi, the lack of media attention and outrage baffles me. I remember the Beruit embassy attack and it was plastered all over TV and as a country we were outraged. The initial report of the Ambassador and three other Americans seem to be a diluted way of not recognizing that two Navy Seals were killed.

President Obama was quick to point out their responsibility in killing Osama Bin Laden, but does not give them the credence and recognition when they are killed in the line of duty.

So many emotions run through the mind of a Marine Mom, I can’t help but think of my son and the Marines of Yuma Arizona when I hear Camp Bastion, Camp Leatherneck, or even Benghazi. It makes me furious when politicians minimize the cost, risks, or try and hide the truth. What Difference Does it Make? A lot. Just ask the families and follow #whatdifferencedoesitmake on Twitter to learn more.

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What is there to Say About US Marines?

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A lot has been said about United States Marines and leading up to the Marine Corps 237th birthday I thought it only fitting to list a few quotes about Marines here.

US Marine overseas heading to Afghanistan

“I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front,
and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world.”
– General Douglas MacArthur, US Army, outskirts of Seoul, 21 September 1950.

“Don’t you forget that you’re First Marines!
Not all the communists in Hell can overrun you!”
-Col. Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, USMC rallying his First Marine
Regiment near the Chosin Reservoir, Korea, December 1950.

“The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines.
Lord, how they could fight!”
-MGen. Frank E. Lowe, US Army; Korea, 26 January 1952.

“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they’ve made a difference.
The Marines don’t have that problem.”
– President Ronald Reagan.

“Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans,
because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean,
or skinny and mean. They’re aggressive on the attack and
tenacious on defense. They’ve got really short hair and they
always go for the throat.”
-RAdm. “Jay” R. Stark, US Navy; 10 November 1995.

“The more MARINES I have around the better I like it!”
GEN. MARK CLARK, U.S. ARMY


WWII Peace At Last

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“Peace at Last” . Three words in a WWII edition of Stars and Stripes. My Dad holds a copy Stars and Stripes from 1945  for someone to snap his picture of this historical occasion. It was a momentous decisive event, one he wanted to record it for posterity. I also find it humorous that the camp dog also holds the honor of being in the photo.

WWII Peace at Last
Stars & Stripes “WWII Peace at Last” Sept 1945

I didn’t know who this was at first, but as I have researched and compared other photos this is my Dad.  I never saw this photo, there wasn’t any writing on the back but I am now sure this photograph is my Father.

There are no other photographs from this time period, I found one I believe of him just before he left, but then there is over a ten year gap between when he was 16 and twenty years old.. I would like to believe is my Dad, in many ways it doesn’t look like him, but in some ways it does.

I had four relatives that served in World War II as part of the greatest generation. Back then almost everyone could say they had a relative in the war.

My Dad, Leo Tyrrell, served aboard a destroyer in the Pacific around this time.  This shot bears a family resemblance  to his nephew Michael Morrill who has a similar nose, slight build, and dark complexion.  In various pictures of my Dads youth, he often had a dog with him. This article has been posted on Twitter numerous times and I’ve asked for help in getting more information.

Here is what I learned about the photo:

  • This is a field hospital, note the bandage on the right hand (how did I miss that)
  • The uniform is a general issue given to anyone at the base

My other relatives that served in WWII were my Uncles Otis and Herman Faries, and my Great Aunts Gussies’ husband Master Sgt. Grover Hale.

I would like to find a copy of this Stars and Stripes and hang it next to the photo next to my son’s Marine Corps photographs. Haven’t found any of this issue yet (that I can afford) but I did find someone on Amazon that does sell the original WWII Stars and Stripes along with several books about this iconic newspaper.

Great GERMANY SURRENDERS Nazis Quit V-E Day 1945The Stars and Stripes: Story of World WarStars and Stripes: World War II and the5 U.S. OCCUPATION OF JAPAN Stars & StripesRare FRANCE EDITION Stars and Stripes Post D-DAYThe Stars and Stripes, Mediterranean, Vol. 1, No.The Stars and stripes: World War II front

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Bring on the Marines, Bayonets, and the Cavalry

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Bring on the Marines

As a Mom of two Marines, I was appalled at President Obama’s lack of knowledge, understanding and his utter contempt for our military during the 2012 third presidential debate. His condescending attitude and rude responses was not at all presidential and did little to bring honor to the presidency, or our country.

I totally agree with the other Marine Mom @SpunkyBraun who recently posted what could be the “Tweet of the Year”

Dear Mr. Obama, Amb. Stevens would have loved a horse or a bayonette or a 
Marine with either one. Sincerely, mom of 2/Marines #debate

Marines, Bayonets, and the Cavalry
Buy this T-Shirt on CafePress

So, in honor of @SpunkyBraun and all Marine Moms who are proud of their sons and daughters I created this T-Shirt design as a reminder there Americans who support our military.

This design was found in my CafePress Military and Marine store, but for some reason they took it down. I spent a lot of time on it and was pretty proud of how it turned out. Click on the images to take you to my store for other designs.

Marines, Bayonets, and the Cavalry
Marines, Bayonets, and the Cavalry

FACT: There are more bayonets used now than in 1917.

FACT: The military still utilizes the Cavalry, although the last time the Cavalry invaded was in 2001 to invade Afghanistan.

FACT:  Bayonets are standard issue in the Marine Corps

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