Ghosts of Christmases Past

Aaron at Lisa & Roy's Christmas 2003.

This sweatshirt is the same one I gave Steve the last minute at the airport. Steve wore it in Fallujah and coming back when he was robbed before crossing into Kuwait.

Merry Christmas Mom & Jerry
Made You Look.

Ghosts of Christmases Past

1. Mom (Virgie Bell) and Jerry. Not sure about the year.
2. My glass of tea, Kaika, Zach and Aaron. 1994

Merry Christmas, Kayla. This jeep is from Greg.
Made You Look.

Ghosts of Christmases Past

Cretia and Zach are having a hard time keeping their eyes open! 1982 on the first photo and not sure on the 2nd.

Ghosts of Christmases Past

1. Aunt Hazel and MaMa, early 70's.
2. Tonya, beautiful as always, but what year?

Ghosts of Christmases Past

Aaron giving Kayla a hard time about her hair. He told her "she looked like she fell into a bleach bottle."

Ghosts of Christmases Past

1. Uncle Mickey and Aunt Linda Gay. 1982.
2. Granny holding Zach 1979, I think.

Ghosts of Christmases Past

1. Kaika, Kayla, Aunt Linda Gay, and Aaron. 1994 I think. 2. Aaron, Me, Greg, and Kaika

Merry Christmas and Thank You Troops!

Ghosts of Christmases Past

Who knows the date to these of Aunt Linda Dale, Mitch and Ton?

Tonya told me once that this was her and Mitch's 'Captain and Tennille' photo!

Ghosts of Christmases Past

1. Jacie, who is even more beautiful today. Kayla is in the background talking fervently to Greg. He's immersed in her thoughts, no doubt.

1994, I think.

2. Kayla is helping to prop up one of the babies. Is that Cortland?

Ghosts of Christmases Past

1982. 1. My back, Aaron is hidden, Zach & Lisa




Zach, Aaron, Gary & Karen. Zach's happy!

10 Shopping Days Left!

Where are the presents, De'on? :[ I'm way behind!

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: 12th Marine Regiment

U.S. 12th Marine Regiment
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12th Marine Regiment
12th Marine Regiment Insignia
Active
October 4, 1927
Country
United States
Branch
USMC
Type
Artillery Regiment
Role
Provide fires in support of 3rd Marine Division
Part of
3rd Marine DivisionIII Marine Expeditionary Force
Garrison/HQ
Camp Smedley Butler, Okinawa, Japan
Nickname
Thunder and Steel
Motto
Honor, Fidelity, Valor
Battles/wars
World War II* Battle of Guadalcanal* Battle of Bougainville* Battle of Guam* Battle of Iwo JimaVietnam WarOperation Desert Storm
The 12th Marine Regiment is an artillery regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Camp Smedley Butler, Okinawa, Japan. It is a part of the 3rd Marine Division and the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force.
Contents
1 Mission
2 Current Units
3 History
3.1 World War II
3.2 Post World War II history
3.3 Global War on Terror
4 See also
5 External links


Mission
To provide close and continuous fire support by neutralizing, destroying, or suppressing targets which threaten the success of the supported unit.

Current Units
The Regiment is comprised of two artillery battalions and one headquarters battalion:
Headquarters Battalion 12th Marines
1st Battalion 12th Marines
3rd Battalion 12th Marines

History
Activated October 4, 1927 at Tientsin, China and assigned to the 3rd Marine Brigade.

World War II
Reactivated September 1, 1942 at San Diego, California, as the 12th Marines and assigned to the 3rd Marine Division. Relocated during October 1942 to Camp Dunlap, California. Deployed during March 1943 to Auckland, New Zealand. Redeployed during July 1943 to Guadalcanal.
Participated in the following World War II campaigns:
Bougainville
Northern Solomons
Guam
Iwo Jima
Relocated during December 1945 to Camp Pendleton, California.

Post World War II history
Reactivated March 17, 1952 at Camp Pendleton, California, and assigned to the 3rd Marine Division. Deployed during August 1953 to Camp McNair, Japan. Redeployed during February 1956 to Okinawa. Redeployed from March-July 1965 to the Republic of Vietnam.
Participated in the War in Vietnam, May 1965 – November 1969, operating from:
Da Nang
Phu Bai
Chu Lai
Hue
Redeployed from August-November 1969 to Camp Hansen, Okinawa.
Relocated during August 1971 to Camp Hauge, Okinawa. Elements participated in the Southeast Asia Evacuations, April-June 1975. Elements participated in the recovery of the SS Mayaguez in May 1975. Relocated during August 1976 to Camp Zukeran, Okinawa. Camp Zukeran renamed Camp Foster during March 1980.
Elements participated in the Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, Southwest Asia, September 1990-April 1991. Relocated during July 1998 to Camp Hansen, Okinawa

I'll Be Home For Christmas

I'll be home for Christmas, you can plan on me. Please have snow and mistletoe and presents on the tree...

In 1943, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" joined "White Christmas" to become one of America's most popular homegrown holiday songs. Recorded in a rich baritone by Bing Crosby, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" shot to the top ten of the record charts (as "White Christmas" had for Crosby the previous year) and became a holiday musical tradition in the United States.

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: 75th Seabee Battalion and 3rd Marines Bougainville

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:41 am Post subject:

BOUGAINVILLE - On November 1 ,1943 a detachment of the 75th Seabee Battalion landed with the first wave of Marines at Torokina Point, Bougainville. The five officers and 95 men who composed the landing detachment were all volunteers. They came in with the Marines on the USS President Adams. For the landing they divided themselves into four units - one to unload ammunition, another to unload fuel, another to unload rations and packs, and the fourth Seabee unit manned the machine guns on all Higgins boats and tank lighters. They were to follow ashore immediately behind Company "C" First Battalion ? Marines Third Marine Division, which was the only assault force expected to meet any opposition. At the beach they encountered determined resistance, the 250 Marines and the 100 Seabees worked perfectly as a team. The Seabee gunners provided cover while the Marines advanced to erase the Japanese with grenades and flame throwers. When a marine was shot from a crippled tractor which was pulling in the first load of ammunition, a Seabee leaped to his place, repaired the tractor, and delivered the ammunition. The Seabees dug foxholes not only for themselves but also for the Marines and for all casualties who were unable to dig their own. When a group of Marines was about to be wiped out because of lack of supplies, three Seabees managed to get through with ammunition and to bring back the wounded. The first Seabee killed was shot by a Japanese sniper while he was helping to man the line of beach which the Seabees had been assigned to defend. They got the sniper. To begin the construction of the airfields around Empress Augusta Bay, the 71st Seabees began landing on the afternoon of November 1. there were many difficult construction problems. The ground was swampy, and the rains were unseasonably heavy. Part of the area on which the Torokina fighter strip had to be built was actually "beyond the front lines". The Seabees had to risk capture as well as death from enemy fire, and one man was captured while he was clearing the strip. A mental hazard for the men was Mt. Bagana, a volcano, which towered near the scene. The Seabees at Bougainville are the only ones who have had to work under an active volcano. In spite of all these handicaps, however, the field was superimposed on the swamp, and planes were operating from it on December 10. There is a bridge in this area named for Chief Carpenters Mate Elmer I, Carruthers. A detachment of Seabees under Chief Carruthers was cutting a road in advance of the front lines when the detachment and its Marine security guard were attacked by the Japanese. Chief Carruthers and six other men were killed and twenty were wounded. The entire detachment might have been wiped out had it not been for the gallantry of Chief Carpenters Mate Joe Bumgarner. Bumgarner and a detail were building a bridge when they heard the firing against Carruthers. Bumgarner led his men to the rescue, helped drive off the Japanese, and evacuated the Marine and Seabee casualties.The 53rd Seabees also participated in the assault on Bougainville. Their "A" and "C" Companies landed with the Marine raiders in the first two waves. Off icial account of the 53rd Seabee Battalion's work while in support of the 3rd Marine Division on Bougainville, covering the period November 1-24, 1943. Two Hundred and forty-four men, the Ifficer in Charge, seven officers and one bulldozer landed in the second wave with the Second Raider Battalion on Beach Green-2 (on D-Day, November 1). This group acted as shore-party for the unloading of the USS George Clymer. This work was concluded early in the afternoon of D-Day. Seventy-four men, two officers, and one bulldozer landed in the second wave on Puruata Island, with the Third Raider Battalion and one battery of the Third Defense Battalion. This group acted as shore-party in unloading their ship, and assisted the Third Defense Battalion battery in securing their positions. This detail remained with the battery for eight days. Twenty three men, one officer and one bulldozer landed in the first and second waves on Beach Yellow-4 and assisted as shore-party temporarily, their principal mission being assistance to the third defense Battalion in securing their battery positions. One man, with bulldozer and one officer landed in the second wave on Beach Blue-1 to assist the Third Defense Battalion in securing their battery positions. On November 2 about one hundred men and two officers from Beach Green-2 were assigned to assist the battery for three days. On November 2 all available men were constructing bridges and pioneer road along the Piva Trail from Beach Yellow-1. No amount of construction equipment was available until November 6, and progress was slow through the swamps. This project was later expanded to include a pioneer road from Blue-1 and extension of the Piva Trail to an intersection with the Piva Road near Piva. On November 6 an additional six Officers, 179 men, and considerable construction equipment were landed on Puruata Island. These troops were transferred to the mainland on November 9, and assigned to road construction. Here, at Empress Augusta Bay, was once again seen the close relationship and cameraderie which existed between the Seabees and the Marines. The main road, when completed, was named "Marine Drive" and dedicated, with deep affection, 'To our very good friend, the Fighting Marines". A large sign, announcing this fact, was placed at one of the roads terminals. On November 15, work was started on a two-lane road up the Piva River from the beach. On November 30, this road was open to traffic to the southeast corner of the Piva Airfield site. The Piva Trail pioneer road was 85 percent completed at this time. Survey crews, on November 4, started surveys from Yellow-2, and, on November 10, these crews started preliminary surveys for the Piva Airfield. These crews worked under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as sporadic enemy opposition was encountered in these areas until about November 30. The various detachments of the Battalion landing on D-Day were under operational control of the Third Marine Division until November 8, at which time they reverted to the control of the Commanding General, First Marine Amphibious Corps. Up to November 24, a total of two miles of primary highway and 1.8 miles of pioneer road had been constructed. A majority of this work was through extremely difficult swamps and jungles, and a considerable portion of these roads were built on corduroy brush mats, by hand. "Miscellaneous activities included" 1. Construction of operational dugouts for First Marine Amphibious Corps, numbered among these was the elaborate one built for the personal use of Admiral Halsey. 2. Hauling ammunition and rations on Affe trailers to the front lines, until relieved of this duty by the Third Division. 3. Start of development of a coral pit on Torokina Point. 4. Construction of emergency operating tent and hospital ward for Third defense Battalion Medical Officer, and the loan to him of the assistance of two Battalion medical officers and several Corpsmen to care for Raider casualties during the first ten days. Available records indicate 81 enemy air alerts in which enemy planes were overhead and bombs were dropped. Enemy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire existed on the beaches November 1st and 2nd. Sniper fire existed for the entire two months period in the jungle. Its assigned missions successfully and commendably completed, the 53rd returned from Both Vella Lavella and Bougainville during the middle of January, 1944, to its former camp at Doma Cove, Guadalcanal. Once again we were to undertake extensive and vigorous Marine Amphibious training. But this time, there was also much construction to be done. Since our previous camp had been occupied by other troops during our absence or had been rendered useless by changing conditions and our expanding requirements, we built a camp for ourselves before turning to the construction of a 1,500-man Marine camp.

Post is copied from this Seabee writer's site

Jungle War: Bougainville and New Caledonia I

"H" Hour off Bougainville--Marines of the First Wave Swarm into Landing Boats

Down cargo nets they clamber from the deck of the motionless transport. Coxswains and engineer, bowmen and sternmen, take their stations. Soon the craft will shove off, to circle astern and await the moment of invasion. These official U.S. Navy paintings are the work of Lieut. William F. Draper, USNR, whose series on the Aleutian Islands appeared in the August, 1943, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE. The canvases depict the American occupation of Bougainville, in the Solomons, on November 1, 1943, and scenes at the United States military base on New Caledonia. They will become a part of the Navy's historical records of the war.

Copyright National Geographical Society. Published April 1944.

Oil Painting by Lieut. William F. Draper, USNR

And much thanks to my sister, Lisa, for giving me these magazines!

Jungle War: Bougainville and New Caledonia II

Dawn of "D" Day--Guns Bark as Leathernecks in Jungle Dress Go over the Side at Bougainville

Copyright National Geographic Society. Published April 1944

Oil painting by Lieut. William F. Draper, USNR

Jungle War: Bougainville and New Caledonia III

Jap Planes Attack! Into Empress Augusta Bay Falls a Flaming Mitsubishi Dive Bomber, Downed by A-A Fire.

Copyright National Geographic Society. Published in April 1944.

Oil painting by Lieut. William F. Draper, USNR

Jungle Warfare: Bougainville and New Caledonia IV

First Wave! A Jap Mortar Shell Blasts a Landing Boat. Casualties Are Heavy, But the Fighting Marines Gain the Beachead. Copyright National Geographic Society. Published in April 1944.
Oil painting by Lieut. William F. Draper, USNR

Jungle War: Bougainville and New Caledonia V

Top: On Sunday, Day before Invasion, Fearless Marines Kneel to Put Their Trust in God
Bottom: In the Humid Waist of a Sub Tender, Seminude Sailors Overhaul Torpedos

Copyright National Geographic Society. Published in April 1944 issue.
Oil Painting by Lieut. William F. Draper, USNR

And Bougainville Sixteen Hours Away! VI

Marines in jungle-fighting togs aboard the transport take shelter from the tropic sun in the shade of two landing boats. They give their weapons a final cleanup. Boats are fueled and ready for landing. The convoy of transports and escorts vessels moves swiftly up the "slot," sailors' name for the narrow northwestern passage through the Soloman Islands. Savo, the Russells, Rendova, and Vella Lavella, made historic by the Marines, are left behind. The objective, Bougainville, and the island of Buka north of it, are the last Jap-held strongholds in the Solomons group. This scene is on the transport flagship, where Lieutenant Draper was stationed. Navy artists are assigned sea duties on shipboard and stand regular watches.

Copyright National Geographic Society. Published in April 1944 issue.

Oil painting by Lieut. William F. Draper, USNR

Jungle War: Bougainville and New Caledonia VII

Near Shell-shattered Palms at Jungle's edge, Marines watch for Japs and Dig Foxholes on Bougainville

Copyright National Geographic Society, published in April 1944 issue.

Oil painting by Lieut. William F. Draper, U.S.N.R.

Merry Christmas To My Family from the McCoy's

Sophia, pictured above, is 11 months old.

This card is from Ian, Liz, and Sophia McCoy. Ian was Aaron's Platoon Leader in OIF2 in Fallujah.

It begins "Dear De'on and Family..."

We had the pleasure of meeting 1LT McCoy and his wife, Liz, at the luncheon that Aaron's section gave for us the day after the Marine Ball 2004 in Cali.

Ian's wife sent me a dozen white roses from her husband (still in Iraq) and herself when Aaron was killed on April 26, 2004. One of the dried buds resides next to another white rose, this rose was part of the dozen Aaron had given me when I graduated from Texas Tech in Dec. 2003. Both of the dried buds stand at attention on their long stems between two window panes in my girl's bathroom.

Made You Look.

Merry Christmas Julia.
Made You Look.

from Wikipedia
Christmas music is a genre which is normally performed during the time period leading up to, and sometimes shortly past, Christmas. Christmas songs frequently are the focus of holiday themes directly taken from Christmas, but occasionally they have no content addressing the holiday, and instead focus on the winter season as a whole. These songs recognisably fall into several different groupings, depending on both the time and melody of the songs.

Songs which are traditional, even some without a specific religious context, are often called Christmas carols. Some songs of more recent vintage, often introduced in films, are specifically about Christmas, but are typically not overtly religious and therefore do not qualify as Christmas carols. The archetypal example is 1942’s “White Christmas”, although many other holiday songs have become perennial favourites, such as Gene Autry’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”.

A significant subset of the secular songs are regarded as “Christmas” songs due to the time of year that they are most often sung, despite never mentioning anything about Christmas. These songs include traditional favourites such as “Winter Wonderland” and “Sleigh Ride” (whose standard lyrics mention not a holiday party but a birthday party). These songs fall into the generic “winter holiday” classification, as they carry no religious connotation at all. However, it could be argued that it would be impossible to popularise a winter-themed song, especially in the United States, without its being regarded as a “Christmas” song. In fact, winter-themed songs are generally not played on the radio in the U.S. during the larger part of the winter after the Christmas season has ended.

Another subset of the popular holiday songs, apart from the more sincere ones, are the many parodies or twists on existing songs, which are usually classified as "Novelty songs". They range from the cuteness of "The Chipmunk Song", by Alvin and the Chipmunks, to the Cold War gallows humor of "Christmas at Ground Zero" and the morbid humor of "The Night Santa Went Crazy", both by "Weird Al" Yankovic.

Some songs have little relationship to Christmas, but are hyped up over the period. Each year, record companies compete for the Christmas number one single spot, usually, but not always, with a Christmas-related song. This is parodied in the film Love Actually, whereby an artist records a cover version of a song and adds a Christmas twist to it, all the time admitting that it is "rubbish".

In the United Kingdom, Cliff Richard is famed for his many attempts, with some success, to get the Christmas number one single.

Perpetual Guidance

December 13

FULLNESS of Joy. The Joy of Perpetual Guidance. The Joy of knowing that every detail of your lives is planned by Me, but planned with a wealth of tenderness and Love.

Wait for guidance in every step. Wait to be shown My way. The thought of this loving leading should give you great Joy. All the responsibility of Life taken off your shoulders. It is indeed a Joy for you to feel so free and yet so planned for.

Oh! the wonder of this--a God-guided life. To think anything impossible in such circumstances is to say it cannot be done by Me. To say that is surely a denial of Me.

from God Calling, 2002 Barnes & Noble

Where are My Mushrooms? Answer up, Marines! You, too, Harrell!
Made You Look.

Merry Christmas Troops and Families

Merry Christmas to Our Troops
and Their Families.

We love you, really, really love you
and we owe you so very much.

Ghosts of Christmases Past

1. Billie, Gary, Lisa hanging mistletoe over Dad's head, and me. 1973

2. Gary and Dad eating after checking out the 410 shotgun Dad got his son for Christmas.

Ghosts of Christmases Past

1. Linda Gay, Bennie Lee, MeMa, Mickey "Bless His Heart" and Virgie Bell 1978

2. Tonya, Mitch, Allie and Shanda (what year?)

Ghosts of Christmases Past

Zach, Shanda, Aunt Linda Gay, and MeMa in the background. 1981.

MeMa & Dennis

The Heart of Christmas

Click here for Christmas Carols!

Ghosts of Christmases Past

Aaron's first Christmas 1982

with Lisa and Zach

Ghosts of Christmases Past

Virgie and Gary playing with Zach's toys. 1980 or '81 probably.

Ghosts of Christmases Past

...well, they at least let
Zach have his trike.

Ghosts of Christmases Past

Lisa and Zach 1980

Ghosts of Christmases Past

1. Lisa, Kayla & Zach 1994 (I think).

2. Zach, as usual, giving Greg a hard time.

Code Blue

It was a midsummer Saturday some years ago when Aaron, who was still in high school, decided to paint his room. At the time, his room was a closed in garage with a door at each end. One of the doors led directly outside while the other led into the utility room. It was a long, narrow room with a wood burning fireplace against one wall that made it difficult to be of much use for anything.

Aaron and De'on went to Walmart and got the paint which had to be mixed. Tarhill blue, not in high demand. They also got four gallons of primer since the walls had paneling on them.

That evening, Aaron began painting. I got him started with the primer. The time passed. Aaron grew weary and figured on getting a fresh start the next morning.

Sunday morning, De'on and I were getting ready for church. Aaron was up and painting. Final instructions were given. Finish with the primer before any painting begins.

Upon returning from church we found Aaron, along with several friends whose help he'd enlisted, crashed out and snoozing away on the bed in the middle of the four walls that had not been primed, the blue paint was half gone with only two of the four walls partially painted. Blue paint was everywhere: floor, ceiling, dog, etc.

I hollered, "Aaron, what in the ****?" They had decided to use a little power painter instead of the rollers and brushes. A blue haze was in the air. No wonder everyone was tired, they had inhaled too many paint fumes.

I took over the painting and finished priming the walls. There wasn't enough blue paint left to complete the walls. I drew a line about two feet from the ceiling and painted it blue up to the line and the rest I painted white. I also had to paint the ceiling, not part of the original project. All in all, once we got past the color, it didn't look half bad.

The blue walls are long gone as well as the doors on each end. The room is now a den with textured sheetrock walls and ceiling. A few spatters of blue remain on the wood fireplace and sometimes takes us back to that day.

Semper Fi, Aaron.

Two of the Four Painters: Jerrod and Aaron

This is from a page in one of Aaron's scrapbooks I made him after he joined the Corps.The paneled walls became a big part of the paint project that Greg describes in his story, "Code Blue."

Made You Look.

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Koiari Raid on Bougainville

Marines hug the sand during the Koiari raid on Bougainville. The man nearest the camera has a Model 55 folding wire-stock Reising submachine gun, reviled by many Marines due to its propensity to jam.

Department of Defense Photo (USMC) 127-GR-84-69793

Made You Look.

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: NUC 12th Marines

Appendix IX

Naval Unit Commendation,

12th Marines

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the

TWELFTH MARINES, THIRD MARINE DIVISION

for service as follows:

"For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Empress Augusta Bay Beachhead, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, from November 1, 1943, to January 12, 1944; and in the invasion and seizure of Guam, Marianas, July 21 to August 10, 1944. Divided for landing into small elements dispersed over 5,000 yards of beach at Empress Augusta Bay, the TWELFTH Marines overcame perilous surf and beach conditions and an almost impenetrable wall of jungle and swampy terrain to land their pack howitzers, initial ammunition and equipment by hand, to occupy firing positions, emplace guns, set up all control facilities and deliver effective fire in support of the THIRD Marine Division beachhead by afternoon of D-Day. In action for 73 days while under continual Japanese air attacks, the TWELFTH Marines aided in smashing an enemy counterattack on November 7-8, silenced all hostile fire in the Battle of Cocoanut Grove on November 13, and delivered continuous effective fire in defense of the vital beachhead position. At Guam, they landed in the face of enemy mortar and artillery fire through treacherous surf and, despite extreme difficulties of communication, supply and transportation, and the necessity of shifting from one type of fire to another, rendered valuable fire support in night and day harassing fires, counterbattery fires and defensive barrages, including the disruption of an organized counterattack by seven Japanese battalions on the night of July 26-27. By their individual heroic actions and their skilled teamwork, the officers and men of the TWELFTH Marines served with courage and distinction during the THIRD Marine Division's missions to secure the Empress Augusta Bay Beachhead and to aid in the recapture of Guam; thereby enhancing the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

All personnel attached to and serving with the TWELFTH Marines during these periods are hereby authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbon.

JAMES FORRESTAL,

Secretary of the Navy.

12th Marine Regiment Logo
Made You Look.

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Bougainville 2

Below is only part of an essay that is very interesting, but is too long to copy for this purpose. Click here for the site to read in full what a Marine Major had to share in 1997 concerning this battle.

Bougainville
The Amphibious Assault Enters Maturity
Major David C. Fuquea, U.S. Marine Corps
Naval War College Review, Winter 1997, Vol. L, No. 1

Individual Competence. With the war nearly two years old, Marines were entering battle with a much higher degree of skill and competence than at earlier phases. They recognized the importance of, and worked extremely hard at maintaining, individual camouflage. Because utilities with a camouflage pattern (which became familiar by the end of the war) were not yet available, before embarking on ships Marines dyed their issue white undershirts green.42 Marines also painted their single-color fatigues with patterns of light green and yellow, applying paint to such equipment as leggings, cartridge belts, packs, and helmet covers as well. The men also used vegetable powder, which stained the skin a light green when mixed with water and applied. After-action reports pointed to such effective camouflage and concealment, based on recognition of their importance by individual Marines, as an important factor in reducing casualties.43

At Bougainville, for the first time in Marine Corps history, aviators conducted strikes in direct support of ground troops while other supporting arms kept the enemy down. The results were spectacular. Ten separate missions dropped ordnance within five hundred yards of friendly lines, half of them within a hundred yards of Marines. In all cases, FACs maintained positive control over the aircraft to ensure safety, and the targets, in all cases but one, were destroyed.57 The era of close air support arrived for the Marine Corps at Bougainville.

Weapons. Bougainville was the debut for several weapons that would become mainstays of ground combat across the Pacific. Here Marines first employed in combat the (later well known) individual flamethrower and also the 2.36-inch bazooka. The latter proved extremely inaccurate, and the back-blast gave away Marine positions; in contrast, the Japanese quickly gained great respect for the flamethrower, though the sprayed fuel often had to be ignited with an incendiary grenade.45 Marines on Bougainville also used self-propelled artillery in jungle conditions for the first time, as well as a "buckshot" antipersonnel round fired from tanks, with deadly effect. In the latter case, medium tanks, closing on known Japanese positions, acted as bait; as the Japanese swarmed over the tank to emplace a charge in order to destroy it, a companion light tank would fire the "buckshot" round directly at the heavier one. The thumbnail-size projectiles would slaughter the attackers but could not penetrate the armor of the vehicle.46

At Bougainville, for the first time in Marine Corps history, aviators conducted strikes in direct support of ground troops while other supporting arms kept the enemy down. The results were spectacular. Ten separate missions dropped ordnance within five hundred yards of friendly lines, half of them within a hundred yards of Marines. In all cases, FACs maintained positive control over the aircraft to ensure safety, and the targets, in all cases but one, were destroyed.57 The era of close air support arrived for the Marine Corps at Bougainville.

Logistics. Some of the most important innovations in this area came in the form of improved offloading of the amphibious ships. The "shortloading" of the ships afforded space to stow much of the cargo in nets, which could be loaded "as is" directly into waiting boats. The nets contained ammunition and rations in balanced loads so that equal amounts would go ashore simultaneously. Sailors adapted hatches to allow them to be left open during the transit from Guadalcanal to Bougainville, which saved time upon arrival.58 All vehicles were hoisted on board already fully loaded with supplies. Bulldozers were staged so as to be landed immediately following the initial assault waves in order to accelerate airfield construction.59 These small steps gave the amphibious task force the ability to put over 90 percent of its cargo ashore by 6:00 P.M. on D-Day despite several hours lost to Japanese air raids.60

The amphibian tractor (AMTRAC) at Bougainville overcame every obstacle in the way of the job it had been originally designed for: logistical support. The AMTRAC would demonstrate prowess as an assault vehicle at Tarawa; but at Bougainville, had they not been used as logistical workhorses "it is certain that the maneuver could not have been successfully carried out."61 A broad swamp extended inland from the beaches at Cape Torokina. Only the AMTRACs were capable of following the Marines with essential supplies and ammunition as they moved in toward objectives.62 Large numbers of wounded owed their lives to a medical evacuation by AMTRAC when nothing else could accomplish the job. In the course of the campaign, the 124 vehicles committed by the 3rd Amphibian Tractor Battalion moved nearly twenty-three thousand tons of supplies and ammunition.63

Marines and sailors achieved other logistical milestones in the areas of engineering and subsistence support for assaults. Marine engineers and Navy Seabees within two months completed twenty-five miles of high-speed roads across the Cape Torokina area. The construction units also built numerous lesser roads as well as three airfields, the first of which opened only five weeks after the initial assault.64 Marines also benefited from modern bakery ovens, which regimental commanders brought right up to their forward headquarters. Marines close to the frontlines received hot bread and consumed it "voraciously," in preference to all other rations.65 The ovens and their products were so prized that when Army units began arriving on Bougainville to relieve the Marines, the one item their officers demanded be left behind were the bakery ovens. The Marines were willing to trade any other piece of equipment, whether jeeps, trucks, or weapons, but they took their ovens with them.66

The Blanket Baby. Yes, he slept with it in his mouth. It makes me smile to remember all the horrible times we had because of this blanket he loved and kept in his mouth until he threw it away at age 10. I'd still like to wring the person's neck who caused that one. Of course, Derrick was just 10 too. :)
Made You Look.

Christmases Past in Panama. On top, I'm making a pie. 1990 or 91, not sure which. On bottom, I'm at the refugee camp in Panama, 1989, after invasion.
Made You Look.

Revoke David Duke's U.S. Citizenship

You want to talk about treason? David Duke, the KKK leader from Louisiana, is in Iran as part of an international conference organized to challenge the Holocaust. Yes, an American is in Tehran, supporting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in his drive to exterminate Israel. The gathering also includes ultra-Orthodox Jews who claim that Israeli lands should be returned to the Palestinians.

Several countries have condemned the conference, including Germany. It is against the law in Germany to deny that the Holocaust occurred. Still, while the civilized world issues statements that convey its disapproval, the uncivilized continue with their murderous plots.

Does anyone believe that Ahmadinejad cares what anyone says? He's a lunatic, just as Hitler was, and sending messages that tell him they disapprove has as much effect as a spit wad against a nuclear attack. EU Commissioner Franco Frattini expressed "shock and indignation." Oh, please. Ahmadinejad could care less about shocking anyone and becoming indignant over his actions is lunacy. This idiot has to be stopped by force, not by expressing "indignation." I'm not a scholar, but I know that you can't reason with unreasonable people.

Why do we think we can avoid a war with Iran by appeasing their derranged leader? All we're doing is giving him time to build up an arsenal that he will definitely use against us and Israel. We can do something about him now while he's manageable, or we can wait until he has nuclear weapons aimed at us and Tel Aviv.

David Duke is a traitor, and when he returns to the United States, he should be met by someone authorized to revoke his U.S. citizenship. Let the hateful jerk live in Tehran with his buddy.

Virgie Bell's View

A historian who has been an associate of Jimmy Carter for 23 years resigned his position because of outright lies and exaggerations in Carter’s recent book on Palestine. What a sad little postscript for a sad little part in history.

Mr. Carter had his wife sit in on important Cabinet meetings. This was, of course, one of those times when the voters got two for the price of one. The first time I saw this former president was when he walked to a stage with sleeves rolled up and no necktie to announce his candidacy for president.

He seemed such a refreshing change, but that was the last time he seemed refreshing. Alas, Mr. Carter turned out to be such a dour little man. If he had have taken his rightful place in history, we wouldn't being facing our current crisis in Iran: the Iranian hostage crises, the one where about 50 people from our embassy in Iran were held hostage for over a year.

When something was finally done to rescue the captives, it was done by the Canadian military. I know this is almost unbelievable, but none the less true. Mr. Carter was a Sunday School teacher and a peanut farmer from Georgia, no doubt a wealthy one. I hear little Amy Carter turned out to be a leader of sorts for the activist movement against every conceivable thing. Oh well. I'll spare you there.

Jerry and I don't have anything close to what is offered on Dish. No movies like HBO which really confuses Kayla, my granddaughter. All three of my children have homes that are built around their television sets, sets with the biggest screens this side of Hollywood. Ours is a small set tuned to news 24/7, but once in awhile on Jerry's days off, he will grab the remote and play go fishing.

I’ll cut to the chase. Last week we got in on the movie “Titanic.” Its' one we saw on the big screen many years ago, and we were nearly breathless in our praise for this movie. I watched it again last week and noticed how easily we are fooled by showbiz.

The story line was, of course, a love story – a wealthy girl engaged to a millionaire for her mother’s social gains. She falls in love with an immigrant who has nothing but the clothes on his back and a sketch pad and pencil.

During one scene, he is at the captain’s table in impeccable black tie with soaring good manners and polish. But the real clincher is that at least one-fourth of the movie centers on the ship sinking and people running around in the water that is taking the great ship down. The last scene is of the wealthy girl lying on flotsom and the boy in the water. The thing is that the water they had been able to rescue themselves from on the ship was the same water that was in the ocean – iceberg-cold water. Yet on the ship not even a shiver from them. Do you know I missed this completely? I was so intent on believing the fantasy that I completely skipped the facts.

I'm uneasy about Barack Obama running for president, and this is why. How does a goat herder go to college in Hawaii? My children could never have gone to Hawaii for college, and we always had just a smidgen more money than a goat herder, and we could never have afforded it.

Here is a 40-year-old new comer, yet he has a mansion with an extra lot that cost an additional $100,000. My understanding of a presidential campaign is that the first thing needed is deep pockets. Very, very deep pockets. This just doesn't compute.

It is ludicrous to believe that this rising star could have come so far, and we never heard of him until two years ago. His only competition is, of course, Hillary Clinton of the two-for-the-price-of-one script. Her husband was impeached for lying to the grand jury, which I can get around but not too easily.

The fact that he pardoned Mark Rich, a traitor to the USA, who funneled money to Palestine during their attempt to wipe Israel off the face of the earth along with us Christians. This then would be the first husband of the United States, and yet we still stand in awe of Slick Willy, especially poor Hillary.

Jerry said that Tom Delay is nothing but a crook. I told him that at least he is our crook. Politics is business, and the government of the USA is the biggest business in the world. The first business of this government is to keep me and mine safe.

I heard that the Democratic party has told John Kerry to sit down and shut up, at least for a while. Who really is Barack Hussein Obama? Will he SUPPORT OUR TROOPS?

OVER THE SIDE--Men of the 3d Marine Division clamber down a cargo net into an LCM waiting to land them at Torokina on the morning of D-day.

Made You Look.

M101 105mm Howitzer

Marines from 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division fire a M101 105 mm Howitzer during the playing of taps at the Iwo Jima 60th Anniversary Commemorative on 26 March 2005. Camp Pendleton, CA.
Made You Look.

Blood Is Thicker Than Water: Bougainville 1

2nd LT. Lonnie D. McCurry's 6 months of training through the Reserve Officers Corps (ROC) in Quantico, VA was cut short after Pearl Harbor. He entered Arty school in Quantico for a couple of months and then transferred to the West Coast to join 2nd Marine Division, which was split to form 3rd Marine Division. While 2nd went to Guadalcanal, the LT, a battery commander for 105MM Howitzer battery (Mike Battery, 4th Bn. 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division) went to New Zealand for further training.

From this training, he went to Bougainville, a key battleground in the Soloman Islands campaign for his first combat action.

In her report, "The Battle of Bougainville" by JO1 Lorraine Ramsdell, USNR, the reason for Bougainville's importance is explained.

The following paragraphs are copied from her report. Please click on the above title for full report.

The objective of the Solomon Islands campaign was to cut off Japan's major forward air and naval base at Rabaul, on the island of New Britain. Rabaul was the hub of Japanese air power in the south Pacific--a stopping point for planes coming from New Guineain the southwest and Truk, the home of the Japanese Combined Fleet, in the south central Pacific. Bougainville was key to neutralizing Rabaul.

The actual landing by the 3rd Marine Division at Empress Augusta Bay took place at dawn Nov. 1. The bay, located at some distance from the heavily defended airfields at either end of the island, had what appeared to be the most suitable beaches for a landing. The plan was to establish a beachhead, then bring in supplies and equipment to build a landing strip for fighters. Invasion forces consisted of 14,321 troops (including the 1st Marine Dog Platoon with their 24 Dobermans and German shepherds) in 12 transports, preceded by a minesweeper group. Destroyer Squadron 45, four minelayers and two salvage tugs provided further support.

Join us again as we continue to trace this historical battle as well as others in the weeks to come as a part of the "Blood Is Thicker Than Water" series.

Bougainville Map
Made You Look.

Steve's Interview Continues

Steve is on My Point Radio right now. The program started at 6:00 PM CST.

A Sunrise Gift

December 11

To those whose lives have been full of struggle and care, who have felt as you both have, the tragedy of living, the pity of an agonized heart for My poor world--to those of My followers I give that Peace and Joy that brings to age its second Spring, the youth they sacrificed for Me, and for My world....

Take each day now as a joyous sunrise gift from Me. Your simple daily tasks done in My strength and Love will bring the consciousness of all your highest hopes. Expect great things. Expect great things.

from God Calling.

I read the above to Tiffany, Aaron's fiancee, before we drove to Amarillo to be at Aaron's gravesite on the day they were to be married, December 11, 2004. We arrived at exactly noon. We hadn't planned it that way. I asked Tiffany on the way into the cemetery, "What time were y'all getting married?"

She looked at me, amazed as she looked down at the clock in the rented SUV and said, "Noon."

Anyone who has visited my son's gravesite can tell you that it is so peaceful and wonderful out there. At times, it's a little tender, but it's not heavy at all. I'm usually in awe of the beauty of the cemetery in general.

Lisa and Kayla travel with me and Greg once a year, as close to Memorial Day as time-off from work will allow, and spend a couple of days in Amarillo. We've spent hours milling around the other graves and beautiful statues. Many of the graves are of veterans who fought in the 1800's.

Anyway, usually in Amarillo at this time of year, it's freezing with snow packed everywhere, but on this day in 2004, it was in the low 70's. And when we headed back to Lovington, the sun stayed behind us the whole way, as if symbolically, my son had our backs.

We left Texas in peace.

Merry Christmas from the Miller's. We appreciate all of you and we truly pray a good Christmas for the troops and their families. Thank you that we still have the FREEDOM to celebrate a religious holiday that we hold so dear.
Made You Look.

This?

"Now, have you ever seen anyone quite
as jolly as this dog, Annie?"

"Huh?"

"Oh, Annie's behind that BIG RED BOW!"

"What?"

"No, the reindeer isn't real, but the snow is :)"

OR This?

for Donna's 2006 Christmas photo ...

each comment counts as one vote!


*autographed copies of this year's photo available upon request. This limited time offer is free***

**please allow 6 to 8 years for delivery

***please include C.O.D. amount of 29.95 per order (Donna has her eye on something special!)

Jingle, jingle

Merry Christmas

Jerry's sister, Dorothy, emailed me this poem. I thought it was perfect!

Twas the month before Christmas When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying Nor taking a stand.
Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a " Holiday ".
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanza
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate JESUS, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout! MERRY CHRISTMAS!, not Happy Holiday !

Thank You.
Made You Look.

Prayer Request

When I went to Gunz and Ebyjo's blog a few minutes ago, I learned that they won't be posting as often. As of yesterday, Gunz attained temporary custody of his two daughters and is asking for full custody to be granted.

At first, I thought I shouldn't write this post since it's of a personal nature for Gunz and Ebyjo, but then since they posted it themselves, I feel it's okay to ask for your prayers for all concerned in this. While I've never met any of these people in person, they've become special friends of mine through blogging and e-mails. I treasure them not only as readers, but as a Marine family. Please remember them in your prayer time.

Gunz has left many comments here. Their blog is listed in our links section: Freedom, GUNZ, Glory, and EBYJO.

Thank you. And Gunz, Semper Fi!

Virgie Bell's View

I am sorry that sometimes I seem so negative and so put out about so many things with my fellow citizens, but I sometimes feel I am one voice crying in the wilderness. And God knows I am not John. I am just me. I am, I will admit, pretty much into the Bible. I am able translate from English to Hebrew and Greek but that is getting on hollowed ground there and I try to keep it to myself. I will tell you what is going on now and that is that it’s looking like the end—of at least our way of life, for a lot of reasons. But when I translate what is revealed to me for that is what God’s word is, it is a revelation of things to come. God’s word is past tense, futuristic. It is the moment of this breath and tomorrow’s headlines.

When I was a freshman in high school, I was asked to stand up in my literature class to receive recognition for some little award. It was a class that I had achieved the highest scores in however many areas this man was over. I don’t remember his name or his title. We all called him Mr. Past Perfect. At any rate, this announcement didn’t mean much to me. I am sure my parents never even knew it. Now, if I had been named football queen, well then, to me that would have been something. Like everyone else in the freshman class, it was what you were to your friends and your school and not some obscure achievement in some achievement test within a time frame that made no sense to start with.

My daughter, De'on, is thrilled with the ability than she sees in me and would milk it for all it is worth. If it helps her in anyway with hers and Steve’s book then I'm glad. I used to think all the time that I might write a book. I know everyone has a story to tell within their life...something they have lived through and how they survived. How they kept their little corner of the world together. How they pulled the load that was their life. I think sometimes I should just quiet this thing within me ...but I haven't yet...After my story yesterday I thought of some incredible facts about the little woman, the gypsy lady that was my Mother. How did I come out of this life in a tiny trailer house or a three room apartment with my autograph book from before I started to school? How is it that my baby book is in my cedar chest along with awards from other little achievements? Mother never had enough room to hold onto an extra envelope in those World War II days, let alone my “saves.” Little nuggets from my childhood...but she did. She pulled it off somehow and she gave me a history, a great sense of belonging.What an incredible woman my mother was. I wish I had thought to tell her.

Virgie Bell's View

There was a small sound bite on the news about a female war protester spitting in the face of one of our troops and then it was never mentioned again. It seems that the most she can be charged with is a second degree felony, whatever that is, it amounts to no more than a slap on the wrist!

If anyone is under the impression that these protestors really give two hoots and a holler about whatever protest they are screaming about then that person is delusional. This is a paid job. The protestors are given signs to tote, bussed to whatever place they are to protest against, for whatever cause comes in handy. It is a job for an unskilled worker. I don't know who all is paying the bill on these at the present. It was North Korea and some others for a while. I do know that Theresa Heinz’ foundation is one of the biggies...It got to looking bad for John Kerry to be sponsoring the Sheehan bunch so now the little wife is doing it. The President has just been handed a war he can’t...he can’t fight on the home front. They are the terrorists that call themselves activists.

We have our little ways of fighting back though. In some form, we can do this battle through our purchasing power. But who is going to give up ketchup? No one is. (De'on won’t, that’s for sure. She may figure out how to use it on banana pudding).The most you could hope for is to change brands, and Del-Monte is just as good. You can make your one little cry in the wilderness with me. I promise you no one will notice....but here is the rub. I looked in my larder and found what turned out to be Heinz Ketchup that came from Sam's Club. That means every restaurant is probably using it. My guess is our troops are using it as well. In fact, I'll bet dollars to donuts they are. The ketchup we buy at Sam's comes in a three bottle size container and each bottle weighs two pounds...oh, I will use them now. The damage is done. The money is gone and already being used to pay for those who spit in the face of one of our troops.

If I'm not wrong, it was a parade in DC that this event took place .My guess it is one of the President’s Finest who met with the hateful gesture of the female and her spittle. One from The Marine Marching Band, and then it became hush-hush too quickly. Evidently some feared of a “copycat killer danger.” All I can do is never buy another Heinz product as long as I live.

The only chance we have in this war is for a mighty group to rise up, maybe like the cycle group and tough as the Hell's Angels. We just need hoards of people or maybe just the State of Texas to rise up, stomp our feet and holler at the top of our voices, get as close to them as she did that Marine and shout, “WE’RE SICK OF YOUR STUPIDITY!” But you see it ain’t gonna happen. It would have happened—back in World War II, but like the Tara that was gone with the wind. Poof.

We have become blind to this form of abuse and it breaks my heart.


I hate to care so deeply...it really hurts me. We could win in Iraq and we need to do that for the sake of our children and to secure their futures. The bottom line is that if our sons and daughters don't do this then their offspring will do it. There’s no way around it. There will be wars and rumors of and rumors of war until the prophecy in Daniel is fulfilled. If I was the President or Vice President, I would walk away. We have somehow subjected our leader to death by a thousand cuts. To my way of thinking the best man for the job as commander is still the one whose watch was attacked on 9/11. To be blunt, give me one pissed off Texan.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

The Compassionate Friends

Worldwide Candlelighting Ceremony takes place tonight at 7:00 PM all over the globe. It is thought to be the largest global candlelighting ceremony of its kind and is annualy held on the second Sunday night of December.

The Compassionate Friends organization is a self-help group for parents, siblings and grandparents of those who've lost a child of any age for any reason.

Lisa, Donna and I will be there tonight to honor Shane, Aaron, and Chris, who was (is?) Donna's eldest son. Chris was Jerrod, Aaron's best friend's brother. And of course, Shane and Aaron are mine.

Their main Web page says:

Grief Support After the Death of a Child

The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive.

The Compassionate Friends is a national nonprofit, self-help support organization that offers friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings. There is no religious affiliation and there are no membership dues or fees.

The secret of TCF's success is simple: As seasoned grievers reach out to the newly bereaved, energy that has been directed inward begins to flow outward and both are helped to heal. The vision of The Compassionate Friends is that everyone who needs us will find us and everyone who finds us will be helped.

Click here for more info and links. or for more info about the Candlelighting Ceremony, click here .

Love to all,
De'on