I went to Recruit Training in '89, and I still vividly remember Sgt Leach on the day we picked up our DI's. He was like this gigantic Zulu warrior in a Charlie uniform. Somehow, he managed to throw a footlocker into the center of the squad bay, simultaneously flying from no-man's land and landing perfectly on the footlocker. His first words were, "No! No way! Send them back. Send them all back now!" Sgt Leach was one of the juniors, but for some reason I remember him more vividly than our senior, Sgt Wilson (who was also a tanker). I met Sgt Leach later on, in a much different place.

I was a Lcpl in Weapons Platoon, L Co. 3/7 in the 60mm mortar section. We were one of the elements in Task Force Grizzly, who along with TF Taro and Papa Bear were among the first units to punch across the border into Kuwait in '91. I won't go into all of that, because you've probably heard it from better storytellers than me. Anyhow, after so many weeks of walking (we had no organic transportation, and were foot mobile for much of that whole thing). We ended up at the air field in Al Jabar, and stayed there for a couple of days while the rest of the drive through Kuwait finished up. Just like everyone, we were surprised when things wrapped up early, and all of a sudden we were going to pack up and go back home.

So we got on some buses that appeared magically from nowhere, and had a nice long ride back to Camp 15, where we had started. We stayed in Camp 15 for a couple of days (I don't remember exactly, but I know it wasn't more than a week). During that time, I got to share that incredible experience of meeting my DI again--not only in the fleet, but in-theatre.

I had the good fortune to have many other Marines who had either been in Boot Camp, or SOI or both with me. We were all scattered throughout the battalion. The way this happened was a buddy from 3/7's 81's platoon ran up to me and said, "SSgt Leach is here. Leach is here!" It took me a minute to gather what he was talking about, and then I grabbed my rifle and off we went. There were a couple of us poor old grunts from 3/7. We walked halfway across Camp 15, and found SSgt Leach sitting in a tent, cleaning his rifle and bullshitting with his troops. He was in an arty unit, on the 155's. I was so excited I can't even remember what was said. All the things running through your mind about this guy, and whether or not you're even worthy to speak with him. It was simply incredible to meet this warrior in that context. I will never forget it. To this day I have no idea how my buddy found him. It was just one of those strange things that happens.

Anyhow, thanks for the stories. I'm gonna have to pass the link around to a couple of guys I know will get a kick out of them. Something about the continuing action in Iraq, and Memorial Day keeps these memories going. And writing them down sure helps you remember it all a little better.