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wrote on February 14, 2020 at 21:03: MSG (now MEG) at the American Embassy; Ankara, Turkey, April 1964-Sep 1966. Never transferred to a second post due to orders from HQMC re "my" fitness program. I was honored and privileged to initiate and manage a very popular Marine Physical Fitness Program. Among the honors I received was a letter from President Johnson, the Secretary of Defense, and a handwritten letter from Stan Musial (Hall of Fame baseball player and Director, President's Council on Physical Fitness). I was also nominated for the National Physical Fitness Award. Sid Gillman, coach of the winning (before any Super Bowls) San Diego Chargers, won the award. Retired from the Marine Corps after 23 years. Ranks held were PFC-GySgt, WO-1-CWO-3, 1st Lt-Captain (Major selectee). Close combat in infantry in Vietnam (1st Plt Echo Co, 2/1) and Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada) on behalf of Naval Intelligence Command. Retired from second professional career as Director, Special Security, Space & Defense. Joe Mitchell and I served together at this post. Semper Fi to all Marines! wrote on February 12, 2020 at 11:53: I was a MSG from 1975 to 1977. I served at the Embassies in Warsaw, Poland and Athens, Greece. wrote on February 11, 2020 at 13:17: Greetings – I was stationed at the Embassy in Dublin Ireland from 1973 to 1979 as a USAF NCO Veterinary Technician. Our Air Force Unit was responsible for inspection of Carcass Beef products produced in several Irish towns – that were then shipped to the US Forces in Europe.
Being single, I once attended a Christmas program one year with one of the other single Marines that was held in the old YMCA in downtown Dublin – and actually noticed a girl in the front row of the Christmas Choir. My Marine friend told me she looked to be 12 years old (actually she was 21 at the time and I would eventually meet and marry her 5 years later.)
I went out running one day with one of the Guards – at that time the Air Force required only a one and a half mile distance – while the Marines 3 miles. Had a hard time keeping up with him. I remember that a Marine Officer would come over from Europe to Dublin once a year for an evaluation (distance run, pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, etc.). One story goes that one of these Officers was in a local pub with the Marine Guards. Somehow he was challenged by a civilian for some reason – and to quell the conversation – the Officer took a bite out of his glass holding his Guinness – true or just a good story?
I recognize a few (but not their names) of the Marines in the photos on this sight dated 1978. Some of the Air Force Personnel in my Unit were: Rychner, Wise, Fritchie, Blackard, Stokes, Nichols, Stillman, and Reed among others.
One year the Air Force guys were asked to cover some of the early Sunday morning guard duty shifts – so the Marines could “really” enjoy the previous Saturday night celebration (believe the Marine Corps Ball) that was held within the rotunda of the Embassy.
I had the shift – that when I arrived there were instructions that I would have to raise the American Flag outside. I looked around the first floor of the Rotunda and sure enough there was an American Flag available – in fact there were two – one larger than the other. Fortunately I choose the correct size – the bigger of the two – and did not lock myself out of the Embassy. Perhaps I have the honor of being the only Air Force member to raise the American flag outside of the Dublin Embassy?
This was also the time frame when there used to be a person who would sometimes hide in the bushes and throw stones at the Marine Guards while they were outside performing their duties. Fortunately - the local Garda would intervene if needed.
We Air Force guys had great “Darts and Ping Pong” competitions with the Marines. And the Marines knew how to throw a party at the Marine House. I was once in a Dublin taxi when I told the Irish driver that I was assigned to the Embassy. His first response back to me was - “are you going to the Marine House party next Friday?”
Like myself, I believe that the majority of the single Marines stationed in Dublin during my tour of duty ended up marrying an Irish colleen.
The assignment in Dublin to me – was the best of my career. Besides my job – I really enjoyed the camaraderie that we shared with the Marines in several different ways.
Ron Holley, SMSgt, USAF, Retired
1964-1991 wrote on January 26, 2020 at 20:30: Hello to all Marines, I have a lot of pictures from Dublin, Ireland, 1987-1989, Hopefully I will be accepted into the group.
Glenn wrote on January 20, 2020 at 05:13: MSG Detachments in Bucharest, Romania 75-76, Frankfurt, Germany 76-79 wrote on January 19, 2020 at 22:45: Perhaps you could address the problem that as a Retired Marine, former MSG, living overseas, NOT employed by the US Embassy, I am not allowed to buy tickets to attend the Marine Balls. This happened to me the 3 years we were in Tbilisi, Georgia, and again this Fall in Islamabad, Pakistan. They only sell tickets to US Embassy employees, security. I'm told I should find someone inside the US Embassy to buy tickets for me, but since they are locked away hiding inside their compound that is really hard to do. I've written to the MSGBN SgtMaj twice over the years, no response. Semper fi Mac. Admin Reply by: Kevin Carleo | Admin Chris, I will have our MCESG Liaison touch base and figure out how we can get you squared away. - KJ wrote on January 9, 2020 at 22:30: Valletta, Malta & Monrovia, Liberia wrote on January 1, 2020 at 16:10: MSG La Paz, Bolivia 1974, Guatemala City, Guatemala 1975 and Georgetown, Guyana 1976. wrote on November 9, 2019 at 17:08: Served in Cairo Egypt 1981-1982 American Embassy . Second Post Tel Aviv Israel.... Just wondering who is still with us... Thank You Cpl Matthew Flynn .... flynn.matthew60@yahoo.com . Currently living in Mass. Working for the V.A. Administration wrote on November 5, 2019 at 06:33: In a belated response to Bill Waller's interest in this year's reunion, let me report that I thoroughly enjoyed the Tucson event. It was really a shame that so few members attended. wrote on October 16, 2019 at 22:57: Hoping to hear from Marines serving in Damascus Syria 76-77 or Rome Italy 77-79 wrote on October 13, 2019 at 15:45: Anyone planning to be at Cookie's Tavern in South Philly for the Marine Corps Birthday? wrote on October 6, 2019 at 16:04: Mexico city, 1974-1976. Semper fi to all Marines this coming November. Living in Modesto, ca. wrote on October 5, 2019 at 06:25: Enjoyed my visit to the Embassy and talk with a Marine on 02 October 2019 during my Egypt vacation. Thanks for the "challenge coin". wrote on August 30, 2019 at 09:41: Reporting the passing of Warren Caudle of Lafayette, LA. Warren was a watch stander in Saigon, Viet Nam during the Tet offensive.
Obituary will be found at Fountain Memorial Home in Lafayette, LA Admin Reply by: Kevin Carleo | Admin Thanks for the notification Howard, we will ensure he makes it to the Honor Roll. wrote on August 23, 2019 at 07:49: Semper Fi Marines, served on MSG duty in Kingston Jamaica, Sept 1st 67 to Sept 69. best duty i ever had. wrote on August 21, 2019 at 03:01: I am a retired SSGT 1984-2005. I am here working as a contractor on a long term construction project. I am in desperate need of a haircut. Where do MSG Marines get theirs cut?
+966 055-982-7924 wrote on August 9, 2019 at 17:04: I was a Marine embassy guard in 1983-84 in Beijing China and am looking for some former Marines who were there the same time as I was. Does anyone know the whereabouts for NCOIC SSGT Gallager, SGT Dennis Harriston, CPL Wilson, CPL Entwhistle, CPL Tead or SGT King. Thank you. Semper Fi wrote on August 7, 2019 at 12:41: Reporting the passing of Col. Phillip E. Tucker, USMC. He was the OIC of the MSG detachment in Saigon. He passed on 7/23 in FL. wrote on May 20, 2019 at 14:19: Hello Jim & Mary I didn't make the reunion again this year,too far and too $. Waiting to get my right knee replaced,had it set up but blood count was low. Soon I hope. Good to hear from some old members,miss Mary's pictures. No one has posted MEGA reunion.I heared the turn out was small compared too other years. Got to go SEMPER FI BillWaller
wrote on February 14, 2020 at 21:03: MSG (now MEG) at the American Embassy; Ankara, Turkey, April 1964-Sep 1966. Never transferred to a second post due to orders from HQMC re "my" fitness program. I was honored and privileged to initiate and manage a very popular Marine Physical Fitness Program. Among the honors I received was a letter from President Johnson, the Secretary of Defense, and a handwritten letter from Stan Musial (Hall of Fame baseball player and Director, President's Council on Physical Fitness). I was also nominated for the National Physical Fitness Award. Sid Gillman, coach of the winning (before any Super Bowls) San Diego Chargers, won the award. Retired from the Marine Corps after 23 years. Ranks held were PFC-GySgt, WO-1-CWO-3, 1st Lt-Captain (Major selectee). Close combat in infantry in Vietnam (1st Plt Echo Co, 2/1) and Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada) on behalf of Naval Intelligence Command. Retired from second professional career as Director, Special Security, Space & Defense. Joe Mitchell and I served together at this post. Semper Fi to all Marines!
wrote on February 12, 2020 at 11:53: I was a MSG from 1975 to 1977. I served at the Embassies in Warsaw, Poland and Athens, Greece.
wrote on February 11, 2020 at 13:17: Greetings – I was stationed at the Embassy in Dublin Ireland from 1973 to 1979 as a USAF NCO Veterinary Technician. Our Air Force Unit was responsible for inspection of Carcass Beef products produced in several Irish towns – that were then shipped to the US Forces in Europe.
Being single, I once attended a Christmas program one year with one of the other single Marines that was held in the old YMCA in downtown Dublin – and actually noticed a girl in the front row of the Christmas Choir. My Marine friend told me she looked to be 12 years old (actually she was 21 at the time and I would eventually meet and marry her 5 years later.)
I went out running one day with one of the Guards – at that time the Air Force required only a one and a half mile distance – while the Marines 3 miles. Had a hard time keeping up with him. I remember that a Marine Officer would come over from Europe to Dublin once a year for an evaluation (distance run, pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, etc.). One story goes that one of these Officers was in a local pub with the Marine Guards. Somehow he was challenged by a civilian for some reason – and to quell the conversation – the Officer took a bite out of his glass holding his Guinness – true or just a good story?
I recognize a few (but not their names) of the Marines in the photos on this sight dated 1978. Some of the Air Force Personnel in my Unit were: Rychner, Wise, Fritchie, Blackard, Stokes, Nichols, Stillman, and Reed among others.
One year the Air Force guys were asked to cover some of the early Sunday morning guard duty shifts – so the Marines could “really” enjoy the previous Saturday night celebration (believe the Marine Corps Ball) that was held within the rotunda of the Embassy.
I had the shift – that when I arrived there were instructions that I would have to raise the American Flag outside. I looked around the first floor of the Rotunda and sure enough there was an American Flag available – in fact there were two – one larger than the other. Fortunately I choose the correct size – the bigger of the two – and did not lock myself out of the Embassy. Perhaps I have the honor of being the only Air Force member to raise the American flag outside of the Dublin Embassy?
This was also the time frame when there used to be a person who would sometimes hide in the bushes and throw stones at the Marine Guards while they were outside performing their duties. Fortunately - the local Garda would intervene if needed.
We Air Force guys had great “Darts and Ping Pong” competitions with the Marines. And the Marines knew how to throw a party at the Marine House. I was once in a Dublin taxi when I told the Irish driver that I was assigned to the Embassy. His first response back to me was - “are you going to the Marine House party next Friday?”
Like myself, I believe that the majority of the single Marines stationed in Dublin during my tour of duty ended up marrying an Irish colleen.
The assignment in Dublin to me – was the best of my career. Besides my job – I really enjoyed the camaraderie that we shared with the Marines in several different ways.
Ron Holley, SMSgt, USAF, Retired
1964-1991
Being single, I once attended a Christmas program one year with one of the other single Marines that was held in the old YMCA in downtown Dublin – and actually noticed a girl in the front row of the Christmas Choir. My Marine friend told me she looked to be 12 years old (actually she was 21 at the time and I would eventually meet and marry her 5 years later.)
I went out running one day with one of the Guards – at that time the Air Force required only a one and a half mile distance – while the Marines 3 miles. Had a hard time keeping up with him. I remember that a Marine Officer would come over from Europe to Dublin once a year for an evaluation (distance run, pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, etc.). One story goes that one of these Officers was in a local pub with the Marine Guards. Somehow he was challenged by a civilian for some reason – and to quell the conversation – the Officer took a bite out of his glass holding his Guinness – true or just a good story?
I recognize a few (but not their names) of the Marines in the photos on this sight dated 1978. Some of the Air Force Personnel in my Unit were: Rychner, Wise, Fritchie, Blackard, Stokes, Nichols, Stillman, and Reed among others.
One year the Air Force guys were asked to cover some of the early Sunday morning guard duty shifts – so the Marines could “really” enjoy the previous Saturday night celebration (believe the Marine Corps Ball) that was held within the rotunda of the Embassy.
I had the shift – that when I arrived there were instructions that I would have to raise the American Flag outside. I looked around the first floor of the Rotunda and sure enough there was an American Flag available – in fact there were two – one larger than the other. Fortunately I choose the correct size – the bigger of the two – and did not lock myself out of the Embassy. Perhaps I have the honor of being the only Air Force member to raise the American flag outside of the Dublin Embassy?
This was also the time frame when there used to be a person who would sometimes hide in the bushes and throw stones at the Marine Guards while they were outside performing their duties. Fortunately - the local Garda would intervene if needed.
We Air Force guys had great “Darts and Ping Pong” competitions with the Marines. And the Marines knew how to throw a party at the Marine House. I was once in a Dublin taxi when I told the Irish driver that I was assigned to the Embassy. His first response back to me was - “are you going to the Marine House party next Friday?”
Like myself, I believe that the majority of the single Marines stationed in Dublin during my tour of duty ended up marrying an Irish colleen.
The assignment in Dublin to me – was the best of my career. Besides my job – I really enjoyed the camaraderie that we shared with the Marines in several different ways.
Ron Holley, SMSgt, USAF, Retired
1964-1991
wrote on January 26, 2020 at 20:30: Hello to all Marines, I have a lot of pictures from Dublin, Ireland, 1987-1989, Hopefully I will be accepted into the group.
Glenn
Glenn
wrote on January 20, 2020 at 05:13: MSG Detachments in Bucharest, Romania 75-76, Frankfurt, Germany 76-79
wrote on January 19, 2020 at 22:45: Perhaps you could address the problem that as a Retired Marine, former MSG, living overseas, NOT employed by the US Embassy, I am not allowed to buy tickets to attend the Marine Balls. This happened to me the 3 years we were in Tbilisi, Georgia, and again this Fall in Islamabad, Pakistan. They only sell tickets to US Embassy employees, security. I'm told I should find someone inside the US Embassy to buy tickets for me, but since they are locked away hiding inside their compound that is really hard to do. I've written to the MSGBN SgtMaj twice over the years, no response. Semper fi Mac.
Admin Reply by: Kevin Carleo | Admin
Chris, I will have our MCESG Liaison touch base and figure out how we can get you squared away. - KJ
wrote on January 9, 2020 at 22:30: Valletta, Malta & Monrovia, Liberia
wrote on January 1, 2020 at 16:10: MSG La Paz, Bolivia 1974, Guatemala City, Guatemala 1975 and Georgetown, Guyana 1976.
wrote on November 9, 2019 at 17:08: Served in Cairo Egypt 1981-1982 American Embassy . Second Post Tel Aviv Israel.... Just wondering who is still with us... Thank You Cpl Matthew Flynn .... flynn.matthew60@yahoo.com . Currently living in Mass. Working for the V.A. Administration
wrote on November 5, 2019 at 06:33: In a belated response to Bill Waller's interest in this year's reunion, let me report that I thoroughly enjoyed the Tucson event. It was really a shame that so few members attended.
wrote on October 16, 2019 at 22:57: Hoping to hear from Marines serving in Damascus Syria 76-77 or Rome Italy 77-79
wrote on October 13, 2019 at 15:45: Anyone planning to be at Cookie's Tavern in South Philly for the Marine Corps Birthday?
wrote on October 6, 2019 at 16:04: Mexico city, 1974-1976. Semper fi to all Marines this coming November. Living in Modesto, ca.
wrote on October 5, 2019 at 06:25: Enjoyed my visit to the Embassy and talk with a Marine on 02 October 2019 during my Egypt vacation. Thanks for the "challenge coin".
wrote on August 30, 2019 at 09:41: Reporting the passing of Warren Caudle of Lafayette, LA. Warren was a watch stander in Saigon, Viet Nam during the Tet offensive.
Obituary will be found at Fountain Memorial Home in Lafayette, LA
Obituary will be found at Fountain Memorial Home in Lafayette, LA
Admin Reply by: Kevin Carleo | Admin
Thanks for the notification Howard, we will ensure he makes it to the Honor Roll.
wrote on August 23, 2019 at 07:49: Semper Fi Marines, served on MSG duty in Kingston Jamaica, Sept 1st 67 to Sept 69. best duty i ever had.
wrote on August 21, 2019 at 03:01: I am a retired SSGT 1984-2005. I am here working as a contractor on a long term construction project. I am in desperate need of a haircut. Where do MSG Marines get theirs cut?
+966 055-982-7924
+966 055-982-7924
wrote on August 9, 2019 at 17:04: I was a Marine embassy guard in 1983-84 in Beijing China and am looking for some former Marines who were there the same time as I was. Does anyone know the whereabouts for NCOIC SSGT Gallager, SGT Dennis Harriston, CPL Wilson, CPL Entwhistle, CPL Tead or SGT King. Thank you. Semper Fi
wrote on August 7, 2019 at 12:41: Reporting the passing of Col. Phillip E. Tucker, USMC. He was the OIC of the MSG detachment in Saigon. He passed on 7/23 in FL.
wrote on May 20, 2019 at 14:19: Hello Jim & Mary I didn't make the reunion again this year,too far and too $. Waiting to get my right knee replaced,had it set up but blood count was low. Soon I hope. Good to hear from some old members,miss Mary's pictures. No one has posted MEGA reunion.I heared the turn out was small compared too other years. Got to go SEMPER FI BillWaller
