A knife from my past returns home...

[03trubluGT]

Back in 1990 I was counting down to the end of my enlistment in the Marines.

I was due to EAS on Jan 5, 1991, but Uncle Sam had other plans for me.

I was stationed at Camp LeJeune, NC and my job was running the language lab for the Crypto linguists and Morse Ops for the division. I was a Morse Op and I copied Morse Code for the Intel Field (MOS 2621 - Manual Morse Intercept Operator). I held a Top Secret clearance.

When Desert Shield was underway, I was about to get out, so when 2d Radio Battalion went over, I stayed back and managed the lab. When the brainiacs that ran the system needed bodies, I was picked at random to join the Combat Casualty Replacement Unit. I separated from my unit and joined the CCRU. I was issued all new gear and I was going to war as a grunt.

I went to the Base Exchange and bought the best fighting knife I could find.

I picked up a Gerber TAC II and put in on my web gear and my bayonet in my pack. I felt more comfortable for some reason with the Gerber.



I carried that knife with me all around Saudi/Kuwait/Iraq. I trusted that thing to open packages and save my life if need be.

When I got back home and discharged, I went out to the river with my best buds from home and had the Gerber with me. My very good friend who is a knife NUT just drooled all over it.

He wanted to trade me a folding Benchmade for it. Since I really wanted to forget all about my tour in the sand, I made a hasty trade for the knife even though I didn't want to carry a $150 folding knife (this was back in 1991 dollars). The knife lived in my junk drawer for years.

About 5 years ago I started wishing I never traded the knife, and as luck would have it John still had it. We agreed to trade but it never happened.

Today my wife took her CHL class and when she got home, she handed me that beautiful knife that traveled to the middle east and back with me.

Here's a couple of Google images since I'm too lazy to take some.

[TEAMJACOB]

That's pretty cool man

[svauto-erotic855]

I know what you mean. I had a Vietnam era vintage MKII that was given to me by the police chief of the town that I lived in when I was 14; he was a former green beret and had carried it while he was over there. I carried it constantly IWB for the next 9 years until I got a ULCW charge for it in Denton County. The charge was dismissed but the knife could not be found to return it to me. I can still feel it's weight on my side but have never tried to track down a replacement for it.

Glad you got it back. Somethings are irreplaceable.

[scootro]

so he gave it to your wife at the gun range to give back to you?

[inline 6]

[Pokulski-Blatz]

Gotta love a good woman. Wish my wife would buy/bring me cool things.

[KBScobravert]

Matt, I have a K-Bar from my days in the Marines (94-98) that my grandfather who is a former Marine himself, gave me. I carried all around Africa and it is in several of my photos from back then. One of those that will never get lost.

Gotta love a good woman. Wish my wife would buy/bring me cool things.

Christmas 2011, mine gave me an XD9 service model 4" for a duty gun for my new job (at the time). It was the absolute last thing I expected from her. I was in shock, so much that she thought I was mad at her.

[03trubluGT]

so he gave it to your wife at the gun range to give back to you?

He's a CHL instructor now. She finally took the class after years of me asking her.

[03trubluGT]

Matt, I have a K-Bar from my days in the Marines (94-98) that my grandfather who is a former Marine himself, gave me. I carried all around Africa and it is in several of my photos from back then. One of those that will never get lost.




Christmas 2011, mine gave me an XD9 service model 4" for a duty gun for my new job (at the time). It was the absolute last thing I expected from her. I was in shock, so much that she thought I was mad at her.

When are u coming home so we can tell knife stories and drink a beer?

[KBScobravert]

When are u coming home so we can tell knife stories and drink a beer?

I fly in on April 5th, for 7 days only though.

[03trubluGT]

I fly in on April 5th, for 7 days only though.

Steaks/ribs at your place?

[dee]

Neat knife and awesome story behind it.

[YALE]

Cool man!

[2000 vert]

Glad u got it back. I love my knives so I can relate (although none with that much personal meaning). I did once pay a valet at the charolotte airport 40 to mail my buck to me. I was there on business and forgot to check it. I had it for 9 years. The guys I was with were ragging me for wasting $40 on a $30 knife. But it was my favorite. It showed up ups two days later. I was pumped and still carrying it today 3years later. Makes you happy when people do the right thing.

[soap]

Cool