R. LEE ERMEY of "Full Metal Jacket"
GySgt. R. Lee Ermey came to Marine barracks Washington recently to film his new History Channel show Lock and Load. I was able to meet him, and slip him a copy of everyone's favorite bootcamp journal, Devil Dog Diary. The Full Metal Jacket star said, "Great! Now I have something to read on the plane ride back to Texas!" He also made fun of my mop-headed "before the corps" picture on the book's back cover. There's a picture of him laughing at it below, along with a picture of him and Gysgt. Will Price (me). Ermey was a completely down-to-earth, warm, generous man, and he graciously took the time to pose for individual pictures with more than 500 of the Marines stationed at the Corps' the Oldest Post, in Washington, D.C. Semper Fi, Lee!
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WASHINGTON MONUMENT
Devil Dog Diary author GySgt. Will Price in Washington, DC.
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REDSKINS CHEERLEADERS
Devil Dog Diary author GySgt. Will Price with members of the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders.
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CROWD EDUCATOR
Every Friday evening in the summer, Marine Barracks Washington presents a one hour and fifteen minute performance of music and precision marching, featuring "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, "The Commandant's Own" The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Marine Corps Color Guard, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, Ceremonial Marchers, and Sgt. Chesty XII, the official mascot of Marine Barracks Washington. Before the parade, "Crowd Educators" warm up the audience. Pictured below is Crowd Educator Will Price, author of Devil Dog Diary, at a parade held in 2007.
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DEVIL PUP
Here I am with my son, Will Jr., shortly before a Friday Evening Parade here at Marine Barracks Washington. A Marine rule of thumb is "Never put on your Dress Blues without having someone to check them," so Will Jr., made sure all my ribbons, medals and buttons were covered and aligned! You may find it hard to believe that a 19-month-old boy knows uniform regulations, but his grandfather was a Marine F-18 fighter pilot and he himself was born on the Marine Corps birthday -- Nov. 10, 2006 -- so I guess you could say it's in his blood.
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"I must have read your book about ten times"
Dear Gysgt Price,
I just wanted to extend my thanks for your book, Devil Dog Diary. My boyfriend left on Easter Sunday of this year for Parris Island. Since then, I must have read your book about 10 times. On the plane ride home from Hilton Head this past Friday after graduation, I handed the book to him with a note on the inside cover that read 'Dear PFC Ward, This book helped me get through these past four months of boot camp. When you are ready to read it, I am sure it will help you see how far you have come. Semper Fi, and Godspeed I love you, Melanie.'
He just about cried, let me tell you! He immediately began reading your book, which surprised me! I thought he would need a few days to be ready for a recap of Boot Camp! He understands now how I knew about "bag nasties" and "go fasters." All in all, I am thankful for you writing this and helping all of us families understand what is going on down on the Island. It truly, truly helps. Thank you again, and God Bless you and your family. OOOh Rahhh! :)
Sincerely, Melanie Davidson
Pictured below is Marine, Pfc. Mike Ward and his proud Marine Mother, Donna. Ward was 2nd Battalion, Fox Co., Plt. 2046. The Ward family, along with Ward's girlfriend Melanie, recentl
y attended his graduation on Parris Island. Soon after the Ward's graduation, I received the e-mail above.
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"We have all enjoyed the book immensely!"
I got the letter below from Robin Goodman, the mother of a future Marine, thanking me for writing Devil Dog Diary. My bootcamp journal helped her understand the training her son is currently going through, and she mentions that several members of her family have also read the book. She calls it "a valuable resource for any young man or woman embarking on recruit training." Awesome! It doesn't GET any better than this:
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