Marine Week St. Louis

**Mickey** · 25th June 11, 05:34 PM

It was Marine Week here in St. Louis. We went downtown, along with I don't know how many thousands of others. There is also a baseball game this evening so traffic, mixed with the road closures for the activities, was quite a spectacle. I didn't get nearly as many pics as I'd hoped as the camera batteries started fading and nobody thought to bring spares. But I did get a few to share.

Me and TurboKittie... the only kilted people among several thousand in the area. I'm wearing my Leatherneck SW (of course) with claret hose and she is wearing a Navy sportkilt recently acquired from our own Nighthawk (thanks Nighthawk, she loves it!)

A nice pic of the Old Courthouse

The V-22 Osprey was a big hit

A really sweet hummer

I believe this is a 155, with the ballpark in the background

A CH-53 in front of Busch stadium (My favorite helo.. Always loved this bird)

A CH-46 on the arch grounds

CGR perched on a podium while the girls took a "rest stop"

CGR enjoying some trigger time in the rifle simulator range

And there's nothing like letting a tough Gunnery Sgt. put your kid through some paces... especially after he stayed up all night long playing video games.

We left as they were starting the amphibious landing demonstration on the riverfront, everyone was getting tired, and we just beat the rain. I never had a single comment, although I'm told I got a lot of smiles from girls. I did get a wave and respectful nod from a rastafarian outside the ballpark. I did however, unintentionally answer "the question" to oh... maybe about 100 people or so.

Walking back from the arch grounds on the sidewalk, the wind suddenly picked up. There wasn't even a hint of breeze all afternoon. Then out of nowhere a very large and long gust hit. Everything started fluttering. I'm holding a bag in one hand and my daughters hand in the other, and TurboKittie decided that since she was at least wearing a thong, she would dump what little amount of modesty she possesses and try to save my own butt (literally) in case things got worse. Unfortunately, it was too late.

A massive squall blew in and there I was... In the middle of downtown, on one of the busiest intersections, on one of the busiest days, surrounded by vehicles and pedestrians everywhere, many of which, mainly girls, who were already focused on me as it was because of the kilt, and because they were all walking towards me.... doing a near perfect imitation of Marilyn Monroe on the grate.. though I didn't have hands to hold anything down. I'd like to say that nobody saw anything, but it was a very warm day. A Very warm day. Anybody behind us who had turned around got a shot of TK's butt.

It left as soon as it came in so all I could do was brush the pleats back in place and continue walking along as if nothing happened and smile back at folks. I'm sure there will be many stories later among the city folk... not to mention many wonderful dreams tonight too. (I don't buy it either, but it's gonna help me sleep better tonight).

**Gunny5711** · 26th June 11, 06:36 AM

A Gunny outside, UNCOVERED! I'll stop there, I don't know the situation. Although, I was caught a time or two without a cover on me grape.

As a grunt, in Viet Nam, I always prefered the CH-46. You could see out the portholes. If worse came to worse, I could see where we were going to crash.

**Mickey** · 26th June 11, 07:23 AM

Gunny, I don't think I've ever seen a covered PT instructor. But yes, there were quite a few bare grapes, even guys in their Charlies. Though I can't blame them. I don't know anybody who wouldn't rather take a beating behind the woodshed than wear a pisscutter!

Never liked how the 46 seemed to twist in the air. Fine bird, but it always gave me the willys.

They had Cobras and Hueys too, but I wasn't able to get a decent photo of them because of the crowds.

**Riverkilt** · 26th June 11, 07:51 AM

Semper Fi - thanks for the pics, most cool!

Guessing the recruiters did a land office business.

No clue why the Corps doesn't outfit recruiters in Leatherneck tartan kilts.....well, I do have a clue...but dang, it'd sure be cool if they did.

**Highlander31** · 26th June 11, 02:21 PM

Nice photos. Good to see people supporting our services, it wasn't like that when I was in.

I had more than one ride in a CH-46. Although spent more time in Hueys than anything else (always felt like I was in a fishbowl.)

**CMcG** · 26th June 11, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Mickey

<snip> I did however, unintentionally answer "the question" to oh... maybe about 100 people or so.

Oh dear...

I hope they were secretively appreciative about being privy to such a generally well-guarded kilt secret

**cessna152towser** · 26th June 11, 03:12 PM

Super pics, looks like a good event.

**bigdad1** · 26th June 11, 04:12 PM

Great pics. Thanks for sharing. While in Nam I too spent more than my share of time in CH-46s as well as Hueys. Those helo drivers were some were brave dudes to whom I will always take my hat off. Crazy dudes too. I knew a fellow named Tom Ford ... well those stories are for a later date.
Again looks like you have a great time thanks for sharing with us.

**Gunny5711** · 27th June 11, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Mickey

Gunny, I don't think I've ever seen a covered PT instructor. But yes, there were quite a few bare grapes, even guys in their Charlies. Though I can't blame them. I don't know anybody who wouldn't rather take a beating behind the woodshed than wear a pisscutter!

Never liked how the 46 seemed to twist in the air. Fine bird, but it always gave me the willys.

They had Cobras and Hueys too, but I wasn't able to get a decent photo of them because of the crowds.

You are correct about PT instructors, that didn't cross my mind, Just shows I've been retired to long.

Alot of airwingers didn't like the Frog (CH-46) either, because of crashes. What did I know, I was just a dumb grunt at the time.