Marines On Rifle Detail

I recall when I was on my first Rifle Detail for a funeral down in Southern California.  I was a bit nervous at first and then all the people showed up for the funeral.  It was a big crowd.  Turns out it was a retired Sgt. Major and after he had retired from the Marines he volunteered or headed up the Fire Department for Twentynine Palms.  He was popular.  Well, since there was so many people in the crowd that I actually got a little more nervous.  I was able to pull myself together just like any other Marine and was able to proceed because the mission needed to get done. 

This group of Marines were actually participating at the September 11 Memorial that was being held at the Pelco Campus in Clovis, CA.  I was able to take this photo of the Rifle Team. 

Thanks for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

Marine Hummer

One more photo from the Pelco September 11th Memorial that was held this year!

This one shows a Marine riding in the back of a Hummer as the he participates in a small parade.  There is also a set of Fire Department officers that are riding on top of a fire truck.

Thanks for looking!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

MCRD San Diego

I was recently at my brother’s graduation at MCRD San Diego last week.  I must admit that it was a great feeling to finally step foot on the MCRD base again since I graduated from it back in 1996.  Once I made it through the main gate and was free to roam around the areas I was allowed on it was nice to see how much it has changed.  I noticed so many things that I wasn’t allowed to see when I was based there in Boot Camp.  While in Boot Camp I was able to see only the barracks that I lived in, the Parade Deck and the areas that we trained in, along with an area on the other side where we worked and had Liberty for one day. 

The Hallway, on your left was just one of the photos I was able to photograph while I was on the base.  Originally built in 1919 the base makes over 21,000 Marines a year and very few make it back to the Depot.  The hallway houses the offices of the Battalions that train the recruits.  These offices have lots of individuals working in them to keep track of the training of every Marine on the base. 

Overall the visit to the base was truly something I have been wanting to do for a long time.  I plan on doing it again soon.  I also want to mention that I was talking to my brother’s Drill Instructor about keeping in touch with old fellow Marines and he mentioned the website, TogetherWeServed.com which allows you to create a profile that can even be linked to your facebook account and add brothers/sisters that you knew while you were in the military.  It doesn’t just refer to only Marines as it also lets you create profiles for the other armed forces of the United States.  If you haven't checked out the site yet then you need to go do it now.

Thanks for reading and if you have any comments you want to leave, please do so.

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

Clovis Fire Department

Here is another photo from the September 11 Memorial that was held on the Pelco Campus this year.  I took this photo of the Clovis Fire Department Bell after the ceremony had ended.

Thanks for looking!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez

The Beetle

Its been a while since I had a chance to share my mind on the site.  I have been busy lately where it seems that the summer is full of things that keep us on our toes.  From Birthday parties to just good ol’ fashioned BBQ’s.  And not to mention work is another thing too! 

I was on my way to work today and crossed under to overpasses that cross one of the highways that I travel and noticed something that was interesting to me anyway.  On the first overpass I saw a girl riding a bicycle with another girl standing holding on to the back of the girl driving the bicycle.  On the second overpass I noticed a man running his heart out.  On the third overpass I noticed a man walking just possibly gathering his thoughts while on his way to work.  I thought about taking a photo of the event but at that time of day it can be extremely dangerous trying to take a photograph and drive on a congested freeway at the same time. 

The photo of the beetle above is something that we came across that was flying around in the neighborhood and possibly just ended up dead outside the house.  It has kind of like a greenish and silvery texture to it.  If you know what type of beetle it is please let me know.

Thanks again for reading!

Semper Fidelis,

Manuel Perez