Gunny stays "Semper Fi" to service members

Photo By Spc. Justin Snyder | "Gunny" signs an autograph while a "Gunny Approved" hat sits on the table. 400 of these hats were handed out as part of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Holiday tour, Dec. 3.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.03.2008

Story by Spc. Justin Snyder 

Multi-National Division-Central

By Spc. Justin Snyder
Multi-National Division - Center

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – When Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Windes, the last service member in line, walked into the tent behind the Victory Stage, Dec. 3, he let out a sigh of relief.

It was 1:39 a.m. Nearly eight hours earlier, R. Lee Ermey, more commonly known as "Gunny," first took to the stage as part of the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Holiday tour.

Ermey kicked off the long night by delivering a greeting to the troops similar to the one he gave his privates in his legendary performance as tough drill instructor Gunnery Sgt. Hartmann in Stanley Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket." He told stories about his career and movies, then handed out holiday care packages and live Christmas trees to the troops.

"Years ago, I had a drill sergeant who told me I could do any mission I set my mind to," said Ermey. "I've been very blessed with a long career, and now, I'm just coasting and I'm having a great time doing it."

Gunny told the Soldiers that this was his third trip to Baghdad. He commented on the improvements made since his first visit in the early stages of the war and said to the troops, "You motivate me, and I'm going to see everyone tonight."

Windes, along with hundreds of other service members, took Gunny up on his promise and waited in the cold weather outside the tent, just for a chance to meet their favorite drill sergeant.

"He said he had a flight to catch at 3:30 a.m., and he'd stay right up until then," said Windes, who was working late and arrived during the wee hours of the morning. "I was shocked when I came out to see him still here signing away and talking. It's a true testament to how much this guy really cares."

Gunny continued greeting each and every service member with a smile, an autograph and a photo; all while engaging in casual conversation before ending with a hand shake and sending him off with a stern "Semper Fi."

"Semper Fi," short for "Semper Fidelis," is most notably known as the Latin motto adopted by the United States Marine Corps in 1883 and translates to "always faithful."

The motto signifies the dedication and loyalty that individual Marines have for "corps and country," even after leaving service; something Gunny certainly hasn't forgotten since his days as a Marine and a drill instructor.

"He's a great example for all of us," said Gunnery Sgt. Miguel Cruz, 12th Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq. "Not just for Marines, but for all service members. Even after retiring, he has continued to serve his country, just as he is today."

Capt. Lee Gessner, 21-45th Garrison Support Unit waited for hours to meet Gunny and echoed Cruz's statements.

"I think it's great what he is doing," said Gessner, a native of Nashville. "I've memorized about half of his lines from his movies, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet a very well known guy. If he's willing to come here, I'll wait all night just to shake his hand and get a picture."

Since his retirement from the Marines in 1972 after 11 years of service and several injuries incurred during his tours in Vietnam and Okinawa, Japan, Gunny has been in or a part of approximately 60 films and served as a spokesman for the military.

Some of his most notable performances were "Full Metal Jacket," "Mississippi Burning," the latest remake of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," and serving as the voice for a toy soldier in the Disney Pixar film "Toy Story."

In 2002, he became the first retired military member in the history of the Marine Corps to be promoted; he was promoted from Staff Sergeant to Gunnery Sergeant.

His most recent project is a show filmed for the History Channel called "Mail Call," a viewer dictated show where Ermey hands on answers questions regarding the military.

The show brought him to Kuwait during the first phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, to film a segment on mail distribution. It was recently cancelled after a five-year run, but a new show, "Lock and Load," is due to begin filming in the next few weeks. The new project will focus on the progression of American weaponry.

"We had a good run with "Mail Call," said Ermey. "It was the highest rated television show on the History Channel for the last five years, but they asked me to create a new show. 'Lock and Load' is basically 'Mail Call' dressed up."

Ermey's fans are excited about the new show.

"I'm a big fan of all his work and my kids watch every episode of 'Mail Call' back in the states," said Lt. Col. Karl Schwartz, MNC-I economic analyst from Ft. Leavenworth, KS. "Throughout his career, he's done a lot for the military and our Soldiers.

"Mail Call kind of took that to the next level and has taught the kids and the people who don't exactly know about the military about what we do and our history. I'm excited for 'Lock and Load' for that very reason, and I know he'll do a great job."

Ermey's proud of his Marine Corps career, and his experiences in movies and television brought him fame and fortune, but he feels he is most lucky to be doing what he's done for a long time and to have lived a great life.

I'm proud of all my work, and I'm proud of all these Soldiers," said Ermey. "They are over here doing all the hard work, and I'm just talking about it on television. They are worthy of everything they get and I'm proud to be here serving them. "

• Date Taken: 12.03.2008
• Date Posted: 12.10.2008 11:41
• Story ID: 27461
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ