29th Commandant A.M. Gray Jr.

[Phantom Blooper]

Sent to me in an E-mail


Sgt ....,

This week our daughter Cathy was traveling home from college to be with us for Christmas. When she checked in at the airport in College Station (home of Texas A&M where she is a student) she found they had canceled her flight due to mechanical problems with the aircraft. Because of the Christmas holiday, available seats on other flights were almost impossible to find.

After waiting many hours and not finding any seats on other flights, things were not looking good. Alone in the airport (with the exception of workers) she didn't know if she was going to make it home to see us. After sitting on a bench and crying in frustration an older gentleman approached her and asked what was wrong. She explained the situation. They chatted a while, and the gentleman explained he was visiting A&M to see his grandson get commissioned in the Marines.

About that time, they both noticed an old T-28 aircraft taking off from the airport. Cathy explained to the gentleman that her father had flown those and helicopters many years ago. The gentleman asked "in what branch of service did your father serve?" She proudly said, "the Marines, sir!" Our daughter went on to explain that her mother was also a Marine, and that she even had her very own Gunny who helped raise her, and who ultimately retired as a SgtMaj, She continued on with her story and sadly told the gentleman that we had to bury "her Gunny" during Thanksgiving.

The older gentleman said, "Young lady, maybe I can help. Where are you headed?" Cathy told him first to Houston with a connection on to Birmingham. The gentleman got up and went over to speak with the gate agent and came back a short time later. He said, "If it is OK with you, you can fly with me to Houston and make your connection." Not comfortable with "getting a ride from a stranger" Cathy was a bit hesitant. About that time an aircraft taxied up and parked on the tarmac in front of the terminal. On the side of the aircraft was "United States Marine Corps". The gentleman replied, "That's my ride, and I can get you to Houston. Would like to come along?" Cathy quickly responded, "yes sir!" and off they went. When boarding, Cathy noticed several Marine officers were already in the aircraft. Upon landing in Houston the older gentleman made sure that Cathy was escorted by 2 Marine Lieutenants in dress blues through private security screening and all the way down to her gate, catching the eye of everyone in the airport.

She made it home Monday night, with a Christmas story she will remember for the rest of her life. No, the older gentleman wasn't St. Nick. He was General Al Gray, former Commandant of the US Marine Corps, still taking care of one of his Marine Corps family.

Semper Fi,
Jon & Carolyn Minerich

[thedrifter]

Ellie

[outlaw3179]

cool story, thanks for sharing.

[jinelson]

Wow great story and it doesent surprise me that General Gray did that.
Thanks that really lifted my spirits.

Jim

[Terald T]

Lt. Col Gray Was my Bn Commander 1st Bn, 2nd Marines Camp Lej, Later Col Gray was my Reg Commander 4th Marines Okinawia. His first priorites were always his Marines, he lead by Example!

Semper Fi

[Diamonds]

Yes Gen Gray took care of his troops as a General and also when he was a SGT.

[FistFu68]

HE WAS A MARINE~HE HADN'T FORGOT FROM WHICH HE CAME

[Eric Hood]

He was our CG in 1981! He was a real Marine! OOH-RAH!

[ramayn2430]

I love the story of when he visited the troops in Kuwait and one of the troops asked him about morale and entertainment. His response? There WILL be morale and I am your entertainment.

[SGT7477]

Very good story.

[Big Jim]

I love the story of when he visited the troops in Kuwait and one of the troops asked him about morale and entertainment. His response? There WILL be morale and I am your entertainment.

I WAS IN THE LAST ROW OF MARINES AROUND HIM WHEN HE SAID THAT!! THERE WAS ABOUT 40 OR 50 OF US, AND WHEN THAT HAPPENED...SOME YOUNG SUCKHEAD WENT AND WROTE HIS MAMA...AND SHE WROTE A CONGRESSMAN...AND SO ON..WHICH I HEARD WAS THE INEVITABLE END TO HIS TENURE AS COMMANDANT OF OUR BELOVED CORPS!! DID ANYONE ELSE HEAR THAT? I MEAN, HE WAS A MARINE'S MARINE...HELL, I LIKED THE GUY!

[nightstalker2]

I read this story and remember how he did not like recruits saying sir yes sir,
I serve with him after General Barrows. I thought I was a thoughtful Marine he has me beat by a country mile. thanks

[ramayn2430]

He asked somebody else when the last time he was in the field. "I've never been in the field, sir." Big mistake. Must have been around 1981-1982 when i was with 1/5. Was he my 1st Marine Division CG and I remember seeing this, or did I hear about it? Love his Commandant photo in cammies.

[hbharrison]

Great story PB thnakyou !!

[elliscraig12]

Semper Fi.