GySgt (Ret) Spencer

Belleau Wood story.
 
 
The following is a story about a parade the Marines were in during WWI.  In case you did not know, the 4th Marine Brigade was assigned to the U.S. Army’s 2nd Division, which would become the most decorated U.S. division during that war, because of the Marines, of course.
 
 
In 1918, following the fighting at Chateau Thierry & Belleau Wood, the French Parliament by unanimous vote determined to celebrate July 4th, the anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, as a French national holiday. The event was to include a massive parade through Paris with one provisional battalion from each American division participating. The 2nd Division was represented by a battalion composed of one provisional company from each regiment, to be made up of twenty men from each actual company.
 
Lt. Clifton Cates ~ who only the previous day had been dug in in Belleau Wood under shellfire with his company ~ was among those chosen, along with thirty‑two of his Marines, to travel  post‑haste to Paris to march in the parade. In a letter to his mother he described the experience:
 
The morning of the 4th, we got up early and cleaned up and tried to look half way decent, but we still looked like a bunch of bums. At eight we left our camp and marched to where the parade formed. Mother, you cannot imagine the cheer that would go up as the French people would recognize the Marine flag ~ it was one continual shout ~ Vive la Marines ! ~ la Marines ! ~ etc. They literally covered us with roses ~ I would carry each bouquet a piece and then drop it ~ then another girl would load me down with more flowers. It was truly wonderful and it made us Marines feel very good, as they give us all the credit (for stopping the German drive on Paris). Even every little kid, to and from Paris, would yell, "Vive la Marines!" We have certainly made a name in France .... Most of all Paris witnessed the parade, and it was one grand sight and adventure for us ~ one that I will never forget.
 
~~ Quoted from the unpublished letters of Gen. Clifton B. Cates USMC [Ret], printed in Robert Asprey's At Belleau Wood.

Frankly, I'm not sure how many of you will get this, but Marines will immediately understand!
 

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All,
 
Part 2 of Operation Blue Rhino 06-16.
 
 
Thanks again to CWO Hershall for his video.
 
 

 
 

All,
 
Part 2 of Operation Blue Rhino 06-16.
 
 
Thanks again to CWO Hershall for his video.
 
 

 
 

All Personnel,
 
Op Blue Rhino 06-16, Part 1.
 
Part 2 to follow shortly.
 
As always, watch in High Definition.
 
Special Thanks to CW2 Hershall for his video.
 
 

All Personnel,
 
Op Blue Rhino 06-16, Part 1.
 
Part 2 to follow shortly.
 
As always, watch in High Definition.
 
Special Thanks to CW2 Hershall for his video.
 
 

All Personnel,
 
 
Part 2 of "CQB Practice Interrupted".  (Probably my worse ever performance)
 
Watch in High Definition.
 
Please promote the videos and our YouTube channel by subscribing, hitting "Like" on videos and posting link in other sites. 
 
Thanks Men.
 
 
PS For those who were not here, this mission was conducted after an Arma update, and the map we were using was messed up.  Everything, including the sky was darker than it should have been.
 
 

Men,
 
Video from Water Insertion Training.  This was back when we were using the messed up map and the sky colors were messed up.
 
 
Short training video.
 
Watch in High Definition.
 

 
 

Men,
 
Video from Water Insertion Training.  This was back when we were using the messed up map and the sky colors were messed up.
 
 
Short training video.
 
Watch in High Definition.
 

 
 

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Part history, part humor, all true!
 
 
A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies.  At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries.
 
Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, "Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?"
 
Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, "Maybe it's because the Brit's, Canadians, Aussie's and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.

All Personnel,
 
Be advised, this operation is too long to put in one video.  Hence, this is part 1, of Op Blue Rhino 05-16.
 
 

 

All Personnel,
 
The exciting conclusion to Op Blue Rhino 05-16, Part 2.
 
 

 
 

All,
 
Part 1 of a previous training exercise.
 
Part 2 coming soon.  (if I can get it done before I leave for Ohio this weekend).
 
Watch in High definition as always.
 
 

 

All,
 
Part 1 of a previous training exercise.
 
Part 2 coming soon.  (if I can get it done before I leave for Ohio this weekend).
 
Watch in High definition as always.
 
 

 

All Personnel,
 
The exciting conclusion to Op Blue Rhino 05-16, Part 2.
 
 

 
 

All Personnel,
 
Be advised, this operation is too long to put in one video.  Hence, this is part 1, of Op Blue Rhino 05-16.
 
 

 

Royal Navy
 

All,
 
Part 3 of Operation Blue Rhino 03-16.
 
I heavily edited this as it was a long mission and didn't want to create a Part 4. 
 
As always, watch in high definition.
 
 

All,
 
This is Part 2 of Operation Blue Rhino 04-16.
 
Watch for the exciting finish of 04-16 coming in Part 3, soon.
 
 

All,
 
This is Part 2 of Operation Blue Rhino 04-16.
 
Watch for the exciting finish of 04-16 coming in Part 3, soon.
 
 

All,
 
Part 3 of Operation Blue Rhino 03-16.
 
I heavily edited this as it was a long mission and didn't want to create a Part 4. 
 
As always, watch in high definition.
 
 

Last Name, First Name: Spencer, Rick
ArmA III Player ID: 76561198178850325
Age: 62

Have you served in a realism unit?: Yes
If so detail which unit, time in service, rank, billet: 15th MEU (SOC), LCpl, LAV Crewman

Desired Duty: Critical Sklls Operator
Why are you applying to join 4th MRB?: Realism Unit, Teamwork, Realistic Marine Corps play

How did you find out about the 4th MRB?: Numerous friends

Confirm you understand the 4th MRB is an immersion-orientated, role-playing realism unit: Yes

All Personnel,
 
Operation Blue Rhino 04-16, Part 1.
 
There will be a shorter Part 2, and Part 3 from Wednesday night's op.
 
Please "Like" on Youtube and promote the unit when you can.  
 
Thanks very much.