This is Pendley! MacDougal called me "Fang." I did the best Top Frampton impression of anyone in the platoon. Quintero and I were best friends. (In fact we just talked to each other recently for the first time in over 20 years!! WOW!!) You and I have swapped some stories while PM'ing crypto gear, burned some boot leather with Fox Company and shared some warm whiskey with Italian Marines in the middle of Turkey. (That was not a night to remember; that was a night to FORGET! HaHaHa!) You taught me that the essence of being the BEST field radio operator was being, among other things, a professional. I still carry a pen with me everywhere I go. (Ask around! Ha!)
If you only knew the chatter you have recently stirred up! On the web, in our daily "reunion" conversations...and in our hearts. We are cheering for you and praying with you, David. Of ALL the leaders I served under in my mere 4 years of honorable service, you stand out among many. You talked the talk and you walked the walk. Many leaders struggle with walking that fine line between being a mentor and a friend. You did not. We always knew we could count on you if we needed an ear or a word of advice. And we also experienced the joy and privilege of "beating our faces" when we didn't toe the line! I know you're just a man, Sergeant Linley. I know you have struggles and faults and thorns in your flesh that you agonize over just like all of us. But you are, in my estimation, a "good" man. And I want you know that you have a brotherhood of (not so young anymore) Marines, who believe in you. And we want to help you and encourage you in any way we can.
You can do this. I am really, VERY sorry that we did not know of your situation until just now. I have thought many times in just the last few weeks how awful these last few years must have been for you. I didn't know!! But by God's grace, we know now. And by that same grace we will help you hump this last stretch...however long or short it may be. I will save some for later...but I wanted to tell you that I have often remembered your leadership. And I am a better person because of it. More later...!!
Blesings, Sergeant Linley! "This, too...shall pass!" SEMPER FI!!
This is Lcpl James. Despite your current situation, it is great to hear that you are ok! Unlike the majority of 2/8 Comm., I stayed in the Corps. I made a lat move to the air wing and worked on Harriers(AV8B) for another eleven years. Go figure huh?! During my travels throughout the Corps, I was lucky enough to see SSgt Vershay (the wire cheif) retire at Cherry Point and SSgt Pegion (Radio SNCOIC) retire from MCAS Yuma. The rest of the group(whoever stayed in) I would only see in my travels around the world. I performed 15 years of Honorable service, being a SSGT is not what its cracked up to be. (That's another story for another e-mail)
I am currently a civilian flight engineer working on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for the Army. The Army is the Army, that's all I can say about that. Although I am not wearing the uniform any longer, I have come to the conclusion that the Army is mentally screwed up.(hahahaha!) I don't think that they have any type of honor, courage or commitment to themselves or the Army. I constantly find myself quoteing the discussions you had with me about "TACT" ( James, Tact is being able to tell someone to go to hell and have them look forward to the trip!) and being responsibl for what I say to someone (James, your words are like bullets, once the trigger is pulled, you can't get the round back!) Those are just a couple of the counseling sessions I referred back on when counseling my jr. troops, and passings on my great wisdom to the misguided children of the Army.
You continue to walk in GODs' blessing and be Strong,
"The race is not won by who runs the fastest but who can endure." - Jesus Christ
Sgt Benjamin James (Ret.) benjaminjames0427@yahoo.com
My name is Woodrow Nesbit (you knew me as lcpl Nesbit. You are in my prayers. I knew you as a good Marine. I complimented you to the guys from 2/8 com. I want you to know that you are in my prayers. I am glad that you found peace in Christ. I became a Minister about 12 years ago, and began Pastoring 7 years ago. I will keep you in my prayers. I will write you in the near future. May God keep you.
This site allows for users to transcribe the letters so they can be searched via the internet. Some of the guys accidentally put their comments in one of the transcriptions. I'm updating the transcription of your bio and moving those comments here so you'll receive them.
your dream sounds deep, but here's what i think it means. i think the canyon of rock and concrete represents prison and the straight path and circling of the trucks represents the situations you've been through. i think you started out on a straight path, but now you're going in circles, either because of obstacles put in your way or actions you've made. in your dream, you're about to fall into the canyon but you don't. i think that means you're about to fall into the canyon. in this case, the canyon is prison, and you're either about to fall or are falling into the hands of the prison. either way, maybe you've crossed some boundaries, and that might be your "fall." i understand what you're trying to do, but there are boundaries.
You have been in my heart and thoughts everyday and I am sorry I haven't been able to be more supportive. I tried praying because I heard that it works 25% of the time. I glad that you enjoy reading and that you are able to do so. So many people allow their mind to die, becoming mere zombies. So many people are in bars of their own making and they are worst off they you. I guess that is the real tragedy. One young man came out of prison but couldn't undo his own bars, immediately he was returned to the prison he had left. I realize to be truly free you have to learn to be free within man-made bars. Then you will always be free. I congratulate you on your very special ability - savor it. It is rare.
SO MUCH RESPECT for a woman who can stand up even though everyone around her is trying to strip her of her identity
wow, you MUST be fabulous!
being forced to be in a mens prison as a woman is something ive never thought of as a trans ally, how do you keep your head above water?
i dont think you should put quotes around the feminine pronouns you identify by! telling a transwoman that she is not a woman is just like tellling a little girl that she cant be anything she wants to be.
RSS
This is Pendley! MacDougal called me "Fang." I did the best Top Frampton impression of anyone in the platoon. Quintero and I were best friends. (In fact we just talked to each other recently for the first time in over 20 years!! WOW!!) You and I have swapped some stories while PM'ing crypto gear, burned some boot leather with Fox Company and shared some warm whiskey with Italian Marines in the middle of Turkey. (That was not a night to remember; that was a night to FORGET! HaHaHa!) You taught me that the essence of being the BEST field radio operator was being, among other things, a professional. I still carry a pen with me everywhere I go. (Ask around! Ha!)
If you only knew the chatter you have recently stirred up! On the web, in our daily "reunion" conversations...and in our hearts. We are cheering for you and praying with you, David. Of ALL the leaders I served under in my mere 4 years of honorable service, you stand out among many. You talked the talk and you walked the walk. Many leaders struggle with walking that fine line between being a mentor and a friend. You did not. We always knew we could count on you if we needed an ear or a word of advice. And we also experienced the joy and privilege of "beating our faces" when we didn't toe the line! I know you're just a man, Sergeant Linley. I know you have struggles and faults and thorns in your flesh that you agonize over just like all of us. But you are, in my estimation, a "good" man. And I want you know that you have a brotherhood of (not so young anymore) Marines, who believe in you. And we want to help you and encourage you in any way we can.
You can do this. I am really, VERY sorry that we did not know of your situation until just now. I have thought many times in just the last few weeks how awful these last few years must have been for you. I didn't know!! But by God's grace, we know now. And by that same grace we will help you hump this last stretch...however long or short it may be. I will save some for later...but I wanted to tell you that I have often remembered your leadership. And I am a better person because of it. More later...!!
Blesings, Sergeant Linley!
"This, too...shall pass!"
SEMPER FI!!
John Pendley
2/8 Comm 88-90
Wyoming!
This is Lcpl James. Despite your current situation, it is great to hear that you are ok! Unlike the majority of 2/8 Comm., I stayed in the Corps. I made a lat move to the air wing and worked on Harriers(AV8B) for another eleven years. Go figure huh?! During my travels throughout the Corps, I was lucky enough to see SSgt Vershay (the wire cheif) retire at Cherry Point and SSgt Pegion (Radio SNCOIC) retire from MCAS Yuma. The rest of the group(whoever stayed in) I would only see in my travels around the world. I performed 15 years of Honorable service, being a SSGT is not what its cracked up to be. (That's another story for another e-mail)
I am currently a civilian flight engineer working on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for the Army. The Army is the Army, that's all I can say about that. Although I am not wearing the uniform any longer, I have come to the conclusion that the Army is mentally screwed up.(hahahaha!) I don't think that they have any type of honor, courage or commitment to themselves or the Army. I constantly find myself quoteing the discussions you had with me about "TACT" ( James, Tact is being able to tell someone to go to hell and have them look forward to the trip!) and being responsibl for what I say to someone (James, your words are like bullets, once the trigger is pulled, you can't get the round back!) Those are just a couple of the counseling sessions I referred back on when counseling my jr. troops, and passings on my great wisdom to the misguided children of the Army.
You continue to walk in GODs' blessing and be Strong,
"The race is not won by who runs the fastest but who can endure." - Jesus Christ
Sgt Benjamin James (Ret.)
benjaminjames0427@yahoo.com
My name is Woodrow Nesbit (you knew me as lcpl Nesbit. You are in my prayers. I knew you as a good Marine. I complimented you to the guys from 2/8 com. I want you to know that you are in my prayers. I am glad that you found peace in Christ. I became a Minister about 12 years ago, and began Pastoring 7 years ago. I will keep you in my prayers. I will write you in the near future. May God keep you.
This site allows for users to transcribe the letters so they can be searched via the internet. Some of the guys accidentally put their comments in one of the transcriptions. I'm updating the transcription of your bio and moving those comments here so you'll receive them.
Cpl Smith
I hear you sister! My heart cries with you. I bring love and best wishes to Chyna, Freak and the crew. Cosmic hugs.
NightOwl Dreamer.
Sherese
wow, you MUST be fabulous!
being forced to be in a mens prison as a woman is something ive never thought of as a trans ally, how do you keep your head above water?
i dont think you should put quotes around the feminine pronouns you identify by! telling a transwoman that she is not a woman is just like tellling a little girl that she cant be anything she wants to be.
you are AMAZING