Col. Justice M. Chambers- Gunny’s Hall Marine Corps League Detachment 555

07/02/2023

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

06/27/2023

09/11/2022

Never forgive,

08/07/2022

Purple Heart Day is observed on Aug. 7 each year and is a time for Americans to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield, or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. Purple Heart Day is also known as National Purple Heart Day, Purple Heart Recognition Day and Purple Heart Appreciation Day.

Semper Fidelis

05/31/2022

Today @ 1pm Riverside High School is having a ceremony for those students entering the armed forces at the Memorial wall next to the football field . Let's everyone show up and show them our support for volunteering to defend us. Please share and invite as many people as you can. It is exemplary of Riverside High School to honor them this way.

04/10/2022

04/01/2022

Happy 03 31

03/30/2022

OoRah !!!

03/01/2022

Never forgotten…

USA Today Headlines for Tuesday, Feb. 26

• Brig. Gen. Richard Neal in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, says Iraqi forces are in "full retreat" with allied forces pursuing; Iraqi POWs number 30,000-plus, number to climb to 63,000.
• Saddam Hussein announces Iraqi occupation forces will withdraw completely.
• Residents of Kuwait City celebrate end to occupation. Resistance groups set up headquarters to control city.

On Baghdad Radio, President Saddam Hussein announced Iraqi troops have begun withdrawing from Kuwait and will be completed today. In the 25-minute speech, Hussein maintained that Kuwait is a part of Iraq which was separated from it in the past, and current circumstances are such that armed forces are forcing us to withdraw.... It should be borne in mind that Constantinople was not conquered in the first battle; the result was achieved in other battles."

President Bush reacted calling Hussein's speech "an outrage. He is not withdrawing. His defeated forces are retreating. He is trying to claim victory in the midst of a rout, and he is not voluntarily giving up Kuwait. He is trying to save the remnants of power and control in the Middle East by every means possible and here, too, Saddam Hussein will fail. Saddam is not interested in peace, but only to regroup and fight another day, and he does not renounce Iraq's claim to Kuwait. To the contrary -- he makes clear that Iraq continues to claim Kuwait.... He still does not accept UN Security Council resolutions or the coalition terms of 22 February, including the release of our POWs, all POWs, third country detainees, and an end to the pathological destruction of Kuwait. The coalition will continue to prosecute the war with undiminished intensity.... It is time for all Iraqi forces to lay down their arms. And that will stop the bloodshed.... The liberation of Kuwait is close at hand."

At G+2, DOD announces that U.S. and coalition forces are engaging, outflanking, out-maneuvering and destroying armed and fully retreating Iraqi troops throughout the KTO as ground offensive continues; 21 Iraqi divisions have been destroyed or rendered combat-ineffective; Marine recon unit is the first U.S. force to enter Kuwait City, retakes control of U.S. Embassy. Marines comb neighborhoods for Iraqis. Pockets of resistance remain, including Republican Guard units and at Kuwait International Airport, where Marines engaged Iraqi tanks.

USCINCCENT’S “rough” battle damage estimate for the day includes 13 bridges, 128 tanks, 38 armored personnel carriers, 401 trucks and numerous other Iraqi targets destroyed from the air.

COMUSARCENT also reports “integration of close air support into [the] corps fight continues with great success.”

Due to advanced pace of ground movement by US and Allied forces – logistics and other planned objectives are being ‘deleted’ and are being told to move forward to further advanced locations.

30,000+ enemy prisoners of war have been captured. 400+ tanks destroyed.

All 21 Patriot and 24 HAWK SAM fire units present in the AOR are operational, but they find no targets to engage, though one HAWK battery does capture 120 enemy prisoners of war.

Naval forces and Marine amphibious forces operated all along the Kuwaiti coast executing feints to make Iraqis think an amphibious landing was occurring.

Marine Light Attack Squadron-269 helos conducted a "wake-up call" on Faylaka Island defenders, while simultaneously, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadrons-263 and 365 and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-461 simulated a heliborne landing on Bubiyan Island. 13th MEU pulled a feint attack south of Kuwait City.

Using Remotely Piloted Vehicles and Marine spotters ashore to zero-in on targets, including artillery, mortar and missile positions, ammunition storage facilities and a Silkworm missile site, the battleships USS WISCONSIN and USS MISSOURI have fired more than 1,000 rounds of 16" ammunition in support of ground operations. USS MISSOURI alone fired more than one million pounds of ordnance. USS WISCONSIN's RPVs provided on-site reconnaissance support from 11 nautical miles out for advancing Marines.

DOD announces over 100,000 sorties have been flown. Coalition forces, including the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, flew 3,000 sorties today. 1,400 sorties have been directed at the KTO, 700 on close air support.

Sortie recap for G+2: USAF-1673, USN-664, USMC (fixed wing)- 405, Allied-417.

US aircraft bombed Iraqi troops fleeing Kuwait City to Basra in "bumper to bumper" convoys along Highway 80 & 8, multi-lane highways. Numerous tanks, armored vehicles, jeeps, cars, ambulances, and tractor-trailers were destroyed.

U.S. ground casualties are 4 KIA. 21 WIA. 2 MIA. Overall total: 55 KIA, 155 WIA, 30 MIA, 9 POW.

USCENTCOM now has 16,536 operational medical beds in the theater.

Heavy rains and morning fog restricted USARCENT air unit movement and aerial resupply missions, while simultaneously water-logging several ground main supply routes. But, USARCENT does not anticipate any major supply problems in the immediate future.

02/26/2022

Semper Fidelis

02/23/2022

The Claymore Mine, a lifesaver to many a ground-pounder.
Back-in-the-day some guys would cut pieces off the C4 layer to cook their C-rats which destroyed the effectiveness of the mine.

From our archives.

---Mud

Credit to: Special Forces Association Chapter LX

02/03/2022

Due to the expected inclement weather over the next couple of days we are canceling the Executive Committee meeting that was scheduled for tomorrow February 3, 2022 at 19:00 hours. All officers and special guests will meet prior to the general meeting at 18:30 hrs on February 10, 2022.

Be safe and stay warm.

Semper Fidelis

01/22/2022

Nominations for Detachment Officers will be held again next month at the February 10, 2022 General Membership meeting beginning at 1900 hours (7:00 pm).

01/22/2022

Rest easy Marines

Semper Fidelis

Honor the Fallen

Lance Corporal Jonathan E. Gierke and Private First Class Zachary W. Riffle died January 19, 2022, following a tactical vehicle rollover mishap near Jacksonville, North Carolina.

“My sincerest heartfelt condolences are extended to the family, friends, and colleagues of the Marines who lost their lives or were injured in Wednesday’s vehicle mishap. Our commanders, chaplains, and medical providers are diligently supporting our Marines and Sailors during this time. We deeply appreciate all of the thoughtful community messages we have received over the past several days.” - Brig. Gen. Forrest C. Poole III, Commanding General, 2nd Marine Logistics Group.

Rest easy, Marines. We have the watch.

Semper Fidelis

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/413177/2nd-marine-logistics-group-identifies-us-marines-killed-tactical-vehicle-mishap

Camp Lejeune | II Marine Expeditionary Force | U.S. Marine Corps

12/24/2021

T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE,
MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY,
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO,
IN THIS HOME, DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES,
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT,
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A MARINE,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE MARINE LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR,
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED,
A MODERN MARINE, OR EVEN A SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO,
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALISED THE FAMILIES,
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE MARINES,
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE,
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM,
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE MARINES,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER,
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE,
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT,
A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES,
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE MARINE AWAKENED,
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS.."

THE MARINE ROLLED OVER,
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED,
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE,
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR,
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE MARINE ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

12/21/2021

Attention on deck!

Sub Zero Mission is selling these calendars, it’s a chance to win 2 pew pews a week all year long in 2022, along with other great prizes! Winning numbers are based on Ohio’s daily pick 3, so you have a chance to win 6 days a week 😳

Best part? This all goes to helping the homeless!

Grab yours here 👇

https://subzeromission.org/product/2022-calendar-raffle/

312 Chances to Win! We Draw a Winner Six (6) Days a Week. Winning numbers will be based on the daily 7:29 P.M. Drawing of the Ohio Pick 3 Daily Number Lottery throughout the year and can be checked at www.ohiolottery.com.Calendars are $100 each and there will be only 1,000 Sold.

12/07/2021

Few dates in American history are as deeply burned into our consciousness as December 7, 1941. Eighty years ago today, American forces on Oahu, Hawaii withstood an unprovoked attack, and the fleet at Pearl Harbor suffered devastating losses. More than 2,400 Americans were killed, many great ships of the Pacific Fleet lay torn and burning, and our Nation was thrust headlong into the largest global conflict in human history.

Pearl Harbor reminds us not only of a solemn chapter in American history, but also of the great courage and resolve displayed by stalwart defenders in fighting off the attackers that day—qualities that have continued to define each succeeding serving generation, including today’s young men and women in uniform.

Please take a moment to honor the memory of those who gave their lives that day, as well as those who fought and survived. Inspired by their valor and selflessness, America emerged from Pearl Harbor determined to triumph in the ensuing battle against tyranny. Please salute the many courageous Hawaiians who responded to the attack on their home soil by joining the U.S. military and going on to serve with considerable distinction.

Remember, and thank those who stood the watch and fought off the attacks of December 7, 1941. May God bless you and your families, and may God continue to bless our great Nation.

Semper Fidelis

11/26/2021

Tomorrow marks the 71st Anniversary of the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, where Marines fought for freedom in subzero temperatures and rough terrain. This battle illustrates the courage and fighting spirit that lives in all Marines and is a key part of the Marine Corps’ bigger picture. Today, be thankful for the Chosin Few.

11/13/2021

CONGRATULATIONS to our winners for the gun raffle.

1st Prize - Randall Adams
2nd Prize -Mike Williams
3rd Prize - Tanner Elliott

Also, Congratulations to Eric Lacourse for winning our Memorial Day Booze Basket !!!

Y’all can stop up at the detachment anytime next week to claim your prize or voucher to pick up your prize.
(FFA rules apply for prizes)

Thank you to everyone who contributed to these raffles with your donations to the roof fund and thank you all for your support here at Detachment 555.

Special shout outs to Atwell's Police & Fire Equipment and Kurts Shooter Supply L for your support. If you’re in the market, go see our friends !!!

Semper Fidelis

11/03/2021

President Joe Biden's White House on Tuesday released a new strategy aimed at reducing the “public health and national security crisis” of military and

11/02/2021

10/31/2021

Happy Halloween from the Gunny's Hall.

10/23/2021

They came in peace. Never Forgotten. Semper Fidelis.

10/19/2021

The Col. Justice M. Chambers Detachment #555 extends our deepest condolences to the Family of General Colin L. Powell and those who knew him. A great man he was, may he rest easy.

Semper Fidelis from us to you Sir

10/13/2021

October 13, 1775 - The Continental Congress votes for two vessels to be fitted out and armed with 10 carriage guns, a proportional number of swivel guns, and crews of 80 then sent out on a cruise of three months to intercept transports carrying munitions and stores to the British army in America. This legislation, out of which the Continental Navy grew, constitutes the birth of the U.S. Navy.

Happy Birthday to the U.S. NAVY

10/03/2021

Today we take time to remember our Army brothers who had one hell of a fight on their hands 28 years ago in Mogadishu, Somalia.

The fallen from "Operation Gothic Serpent"
MSG Gary Gordon
SFC Randy Shughart
SSGT Daniel Busch
SFC Earl Filmore
MSG Timothy Martin
CPL Jamie Smith
SPC James Cavaco
SGT Casey Joyce
PFC Richard Kowaleski
SGT Dominick Pilla
SGT Lorenzo Ruiz
SSGT William Cleveland
SSGT Thomas Field
CW4 Raymond Frank
CW3 Clifton Wolcott
CW2 Donovan Briley
SGT Cornell Houston
PFC James Martin Jr.

Never forget.

10/02/2021

A group of Jeep owners and enthusiasts dedicated to giving back to the community hit the road over the weekend, giving a WWII veteran a surprise parade for his birthday.

09/29/2021

One of the pieces from a collection donated by a Marines family. From the 1st Marine Division reunion in Harrisburg PA, September 1985.

09/26/2021

Never Forgotten. We are eternally grateful for the sacrifice of the fallen and their families. Semper Fidelis.

Gold Star Mother’s Day is observed on the last Sunday in September which will be Sunday, September 26, 2021. Gold Star Mother’s Day is intended to recognize and honor those mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Each year there are events and meetings to publicly express love, sorrow and reverence toward Gold Star Mothers and their families. Flags are also mandated to be displayed on government buildings on this day. Army.mil says Gold Star Mother’s Day is intended “to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces”.

Why The Gold Star?
The Gold Star is a symbol of a loved one lost in combat.

According to an L.A. Times article, “During World War I, a practice developed across the country: Families displayed flags featuring a blue star, a sign that a family member was fighting in the war. Some flags would display more than one star.”

The exact origins of this tradition are not fully known, but at some point, gold star flags would go up to signify the family member had died on duty. The term “Gold Star Family” went into the national vocabulary thanks to the sacrifices of men and women serving in uniform.

Who Are The American Gold Star Mothers?
Based on the above, this might seem like an obvious question to some, but Gold Star families have had a non-profit organization working on their behalf since 1928 with the establishment of an organization called American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

Their mission includes education, remembrance, inspiring “true allegiance to the United States of America”, and most importantly for many, offering “needful assistance to all Gold Star Mothers and, when possible, to their descendants.”

The Gold Star Mother’s non-profit organization holds an annual convention and have events centered around Gold Star Mother’s Day and Veterans Day. They also partner with Wreath’s Across America where each December they work together to coordinate wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,200 locations in the U.S. and abroad.

The Gold Star Manor
Located in Long Beach, CA on a 23 acre, park like setting, The Gold Star Manor provides a home for members of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Features include several apartment buildings plus a library, therapeutic pool, arts and crafts building and many outdoor activities.

The National Gold Star Family Registry
The National Gold Star Family Registry is a program which honors those who have laid down their lives for freedom during all of America’s past conflicts. The use of a name “Gold Star Family” is commonly used to describe a family whose immediate family member was killed in action.

Is Gold Star Mother’s Day An Official Holiday?
Gold Star Mother’s Day isn’t observed in quite the same manner as federal holidays such as Labor Day, Memorial Day, or President’s Day, but that does not mean it hasn’t been given official recognition.

In 1936, the 74th Congress declared, “the last Sunday in September shall hereafter be designated and known as ‘Gold Star Mother’s Day,’ and it shall be the duty of the President to request its observance as provided for in this resolution.”

In 2016, President Barack Obama proclaimed that September 25, 2016 was to be known as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, a continuation of this long-standing tradition: “I call upon all Government officials to display the flag of the United States over Government buildings on this special day. I also encourage the American people to display the flag and hold appropriate ceremonies as a public expression of our Nation’s gratitude and respect for our Gold Star Mothers and Families.”

09/24/2021

Awesome to Col. Chambers featured on the USMC Museums Instagram. Stop over and give it a like.

09/17/2021

Our POW Table. Never Forgotten.