By Bob Von Bargen Few veterans today remember the phrase "purple suit." I was reminded of that recently after giving a presentation on the origins of Armed Forces Day. At the end, I asked the audience whether anyone remembered the expression. No one did. That surprised me because, for many of us, "putting on
By Todd DePastino Somewhere out there are 35 Marines who enlisted together on a summer evening at the old Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota, almost sixty years ago. Some of them may be gone, but their sons, daughters, grandchildren, neighbors, or old friends would know what became of them. Either way, author and Marine
By Brad Washabaugh Few problems of modern warfare are more agonizing than friendly fire. Getting wounded or killed by the enemy is one thing. But receiving fire from your own side has historically carried a hint of shame, and sometimes has been covered up by military authorities. But friendly fire is a perennial problem
By Jim Cardillo, USMC, Vietnam, 1967-68 In March 2025, I had the rare privilege of visiting the island of Iwo Jima with my brother for the 80th Reunion of Honor. Only a limited number of visitors are permitted on the island one day each year for this solemn occasion. As the nation marks the
By Todd DePastino On February 23, 1945, five days into the Battle of Iwo Jima, a patrol of U.S. Marines raised an American flag atop Mount Suribachi. A few hours later, a second, larger flag was raised, and Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the moment in what would become the most famous American
An Iraqi woman bakes flatbread. (Public Domain) By Brennan Morton After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, Brennan Morton joined the Marine Corps and went on to become a sniper, breacher, and team leader in a Reconnaissance Battalion. He deployed for two combat tours in Iraq before opening a gym in
