Happy 230th Birthday, Marine Corps! (Hat tip: Ryan Bradel.)
My grandfather on my mom’s side, Gifford Loomer, was a Marine. He fought in the Pacific theater in World War II as part of the 2nd Marine Division at the battles of Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian. He later transferred to the 5th Marine Division, passed through Iwo Jima after the battle there, and served in the occupation of Japan, including a period where he was stationed in bombed-out Hiroshima.
Grandpa rarely talked to anyone about his experiences from the war, and I don’t believe I ever talked to him about it. (He died shortly before my tenth birthday.) Still, ever since I was old enough to think about such things, I’ve always been immensely proud of him for his service to our country, and as such, I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the Marines. I inherited his USMC fatigue jacket (which, along with all his Marine clothes, he meticulously kept clean and well-preserved over the years) and I wear it on Memorial Day in his honor whenever I’m in Newington for the town’s big parade — which features, among other things, a large (though sadly dwindling) contingent of Iwo Jima veterans. (Newington is home to the state’s VA hospital, and also to its own Iwo Jima Memorial.)
Anyway, in honor of the Marines’ anniversary — and also of Veterans Day tomorrow — it seems appropriate to pay a little tribute to Grandpa and the Marines.
From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We fight our country’s battles
In the air on land and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to bear the title
Of United States Marines.
Our flag’s unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job –
The United States Marines.
Here’s health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we’ve fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven’s scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.
I love that last line. :)
God bless you, Grandpa Loomer, and all Marines, and all our brave veterans and soldiers.
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Categories: Audio clips
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November 11th, 2005 at 12:31:41 am
God bless all US Marines, all Veterans, and most especially Dr. Giff Loomer, who in addition to being a War Hero & later an accomplished Artist and Professor & university Department Chairman, was a wonderful husband & father & father-in-law & grandfather and just altogether a great man. / Rest in peace, Marine. We miss you greatly, but we know that Heaven’s Scenes are adorned with much Brighter Colors since you arrived.
November 11th, 2005 at 12:40:49 am
PS ~ come to think of it, “RIP” isn’t quite the right thought for Gif Loomer, soldier, artist, academician, and worldwide Tour Guide par excellence. Peace, yes. Rest, no. The man never Rested in This life, why would he do so Now? If Gif’s not conducting exhaustive Tours of the Heavenly Kingdom then I’m a Cherub. :)
November 11th, 2005 at 12:48:03 am
Happy birthday to the few and the proud…
Great Post Brendan.
November 11th, 2005 at 1:49:01 am
Thanks, Brendan. Grandpa used to love books and movies about the Marines in the South Pacific (and of course musicals, like ‘South Pacific’). I asked him once how he could enjoy them after having been at war and in battle as he had, over four years in his life. He explained to me that all the movies and songs were just entertainment. “If they ever made a movie that was really like war, no one would go see it.” He saw to it that we wouldn’t have to find that out for ourselves. Thanks, Dad.
November 11th, 2005 at 8:56:47 am
Well said, Brendan et. al.
November 11th, 2005 at 9:11:22 am
From what I have read, Iwo Jima was the closest thing to Hell on Earth. Thank God there are men brave enough to endure such a baptism by fire to defeat evil and keep our nation free.
November 11th, 2005 at 10:02:32 am
Speaking of Veterans: Here is the REAL TRUTH TO THE Leahy Lounge!
http://www.izotzaeche.com/2005/1…news- alert.html
Read it and weep-
November 11th, 2005 at 10:03:29 am
Semper Fidelis to grandpa, Brendan.
November 11th, 2005 at 11:34:01 am
Brendan,
You never fail to surprise!
Beautiful post.
November 11th, 2005 at 11:36:53 am
and a special Happy Birthday to all the Marines disparate and unable to attend the Birthday Ball this year because they’re out doing what they train for….
and all the Navy chaps out there with ‘em =o)
November 12th, 2005 at 5:08:22 pm
i’m a very ex-marine. i believe in the left over the right and honesty above all. and especially the last two lines of the hymn—too bad the president has surrounded himself with quick buck artists who didn’t and don’t understand that it takes lots of warriors and lots of peacekeepers a lot of time to capture the minds and hearts of an insurgent force. read eric blair. and, yours was a great post to come across—-except i’m a navy lax fan so i’m not delighted over today’s football score. but two future nd’ers, maybe, my grandsons, had a great day on the line for wilton,ct. 77 reigns