Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Serve.
War
The US Army was being chased from behind and had to get to the other side of the lake, but it was frozen solid. This was during the time of cold war and the Soviets had just crossed over the border to attack the armored vehicles could swim, but the ice had be broken up. But time was of the utmost importance. The commander ordered all available men out onto the ice with mattocks' and pix axes. He had us breaking the ice up by hand. I told my commander that if I fell in and drowned my grandmother wouldn't like him anymore.
By Lawrence Edward Hinchee5 years ago in Serve
CORPORAL MERRICK
CORPORAL MERRICK Written by James Merrick , July 8, 2021 One of my dad’s wartime stories actually became a family tradition. It was a tale he was asked to tell time and time again during gatherings of our clan. Since his death in 1999, the torch has been taken up by other family members to the delight of young and old alike. This is my version of his experience. I hope it brings a smile to your face and a lasting memory.
By James Dale Merrick5 years ago in Serve
The Marine Businesses
I have this amazing group of former Marines on my LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/devani-r-39b4051b1/ ) who are just the most amazing guys you could ever be blessed to have in your life and have your back. They work hard, they dream big and they make it happen. So as my way to say thank you, you have to look at their businesses. I have and I this has nothing to do with any thing other than my respect for their hard work and ingenuity .
By Justice for All5 years ago in Serve
Devils in Baggie Pants
During World War 2, The United States experimented with a new form of combat fighting called airborne. Until such time all combat was hand to hand and in the trenches. The use of airborne units gave the United States a distinct advantage. The Germans called our airborne units "devils in baggie pants." Airborne is part of the Infantry unit, they go through basic training for Infantry first then Airborne school after. Airborne training is three weeks long with a pass rate of eighty-nine percent. In basic training the company commander was cancelling passes left and right on the guys in the barracks. He was rough but I thought a bit too rough.
By Lawrence Edward Hinchee5 years ago in Serve
2,312
I still remember the first dead body I saw in Afghanistan. I was in Kandahar, a southern city located in a valley that was basically a desert. We got the call that a helicopter crashed and everyone was dead. People don’t typically survive helicopter crashes, they tend to fall from the sky like a rock. We all gathered on the runway, it was a short walk since I worked in the hangar on helicopters. Once on the runway, everyone lines up shoulder to shoulder in something called a “ramp ceremony.” As a way to pay respect to the fallen. It is not nearly as ceremonious as when a body is returned in a casket draped with an American flag. Most of the time it is just a body bag being wheeled off the tarmac. Whatever is left of the aircrew, whatever parts they could find.
By Robert Raymond5 years ago in Serve
Top 5 Washington DC War Memorials
Some of the most famous landmarks of Washington Dc are its monuments and memorials dedicated to the men and women who founded and served the nation. Many of us are very familiar with the many Presidential monuments located around the capital city of the United States. However, over the centuries, many brave men and women served the country and sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation’s freedom and democracy. It is only fitting that they too are honored with memorials and monuments at the political center of the United States of America. In and around Washington DC, many sites were dedicated and consecrated to commemorate the sacrifice and valor of the United States armed forces and other uniformed personnel. By visiting these military and war memorials in Washington DC, we can have a deeper appreciation for the freedom and democracy we are continuously enjoying up to this day.
By John Limbo5 years ago in Serve
Coming Home
It had been five years since Jason had last stood in front of his home. At that time war was brewing, and Jason’s group of friends decided to join the Army because it sounded like fun. “Fun” was far from his view of it, Jason had long thought of the military and its servicemen as arrogant punks who just liked killing things. He saw no glory or honor in it, why defend a country that was so oppressive anyway? However, jobs were scarce, and with no real vocational ambitions or desires to further his education after high school, he joined up with the four of them. He had stood in front of his California home, his clean-shaven face still stinging from the resentful removal of his scraggly beard, hugged his parents and bid them a last goodbye before heading to the processing station where he would be shipped off to Basic Training.
By Dawn Hunter5 years ago in Serve
Armed Forces Salute
Every man and woman who put on a uniform no matter the branch have one thing in common, we all served. Ask the Army veteran who was saved by a Marine does he really care which branch the man was in, he will probably say no. The Marines will say that they have the right to question those of us in the Army about our parentage. But as my best friend who went into the Marines and I the Army said, the sailor, soldier, coastie and airman, are my little brothers and sisters and only I get to pick on them. Anyone from outside that has never served has no right to criticize.
By Lawrence Edward Hinchee5 years ago in Serve
