The Gunny Tribute Special: Remembering R. Lee Ermey 

He's not dead...Marines are not allowed to die!!! He's watching over his family and fellow Marines! Semper Fi Gunny! RIP

22 year Army vet here. We are a band of brothers

Born during WWII Became a soldier Still is a soldier Always is a soldier

I grew up watching mail call with R Lee Ermy. Like if y'all agree.

A few years back, I learned that a good friend of mine (and a veteran) was diagnosed with bone cancer. I contacted a representative of Mr. Ermey asking (partially in vain) if Gunny could record a motivational message for my friend. To my great surprise and pleasure, a few days later i got a personalised recording from Gunny directed towards my friend; providing a great deal of inspiration. Those few words served to inspire my friend through some tough times. Gunny did not have to take his time to do such a thing, but he did so without hesitation. That is the sign of a great man. RIP Gunny and you will be missed. What a nice and generous guy.

There are only two times I've ever cried uncontrollably: 9/11 and the day that The Gunny left us. God bless you Gunny. Semper Fi 🇺🇸🇺🇸

They played Full Metal Jacket during my bus ride to Marine Corps boot camp in 2007! Not only that...but during my time in service aboard Camp Pendleton, CA, I walked into the commissary and randomly met and spoke with The Marine icon himself. An awesome conversation was had between us. That day I met an amazing man and Marine, leaving with a personalized, signed poster from the man himself. RIP Gunny. Semper Fi!

"Marines don't die. They just go to hell and regroup!"

Gunny, a man like you taught me how to stay alive in Vietnam. We are still great friends to this day, 52 years later. America needed and still needs men like you. We miss you Gunny but you will live on in our hearts.

He was the father I never had. RIP 'Gunny'

I so admire this man. He was one of those 'Bigger Than Life' characters. Tough as nails, but a heart of gold....R.I.P. Gunny!

As a parent with both my boys in the Marine Corp .. I am honored by this man and what he did..

The Gunny was at a Glock days appearance in Denver. I was gonna take a couple hours off of my job to get his autograph but was involved in a really bad crash on the way to work. It was one of my biggest “Get back on my feet” bucket list items to get to meet the Gunny. My buddies got me an autograph that said “Sorry I missed you, next time. Simper Fi” . I’m finally getting close to walking on my own again and it sucks so bad that I’ll never get to shake his hand. Thank you for the inspiration Gunny. Semper Fi...

This is one of the famous people I will actually miss deeply.

A stint in the military turned an untold number of young lives around. Thank you for your service, Marine

If his movie, "Full Metal Jacket" aired BEFORE "Top Gun", I would've been a Marine!!!!! Gunny!!! From an aging Special Warfare sailor, this salute's for you!!!! Oh, and, SEMPER FI,,Marine!!!! OOH-RAH, Gunny!!!!

May "Gunny" rest in peace. They don't often make 'em like that anymore.

Gunny is right. Non military folks just assume we are cared for. And us veterans we look out for our fellow veteran because those are our brothers and sisters. A unique family

Once a Marine, Always a Marine. Definition of, “Semper Fi!”

Marine's never die, they're just redeployed 😏

as a former marine meeting the gunny was the highlight of my military journey, RIP Gunny GET SOME

that one dislike was the Navy Recruiter

I am a 15 year Army vet. I don't cry, I don't whine. But this tribute had me actually choked up. Thank you guys for being there and taking care of our vets.

It's hard to believe it's been 2 years since we lost the Gunny. He was a huge inspiration to a lot of people, myself included, and he is sorely missed.

Rest in peace Gunny. We'll miss you.

He was the grandfather that everybody wants to have. He will be sadly missed RIP Gunny 😔

I had nightmares as a kid after watching Gunny on 'Full Metal Jacket'. In my country, we are conscripted at 18. I couldn't sleep for weeks prior to enlistment, I was so afraid I would get a drill instructor like Gunny and he would give us hell like how he did on FMJ. He's a legend indeed. 😎

Gunny was such a special person , he made the World a better place .... I love ❤️ the guy for his service..... RIP 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

The world is a poorer place without him.

Rest easy Gunny... Semper Fi!

I had the honor of meeting the Gunny at Shot Show one year. The line took forever. Turns out it was because he didn’t rush anyone. He talked like an old friend. I’ll never forget getting to shake his hand and talk for a bit with such a great human being.

I think anyone who fought for the freedoms of others deserves a place to live.

He was a great actor, a great Marine, a great supporter of our brave Veteran's, and most of all, a great Man !

When I got to Vietnam, a 19 year old, straight out of the Southern West Virginia hills a Staff Sergeant ( I will not use his name because I have not asked permission to use it) took me under his wing. During in country training (30 days) he gave me instruction on how to stay alive and do my job as a Special Actions troop. This was a sniper-ambush unit and we would go out, search for enemy units and kill as many as we could or stay quite and call in artillery or airstrikes on them. We had many hand to hand actions. This Staff Sergeant was my team leader for several months. His leadership, his dedication, to the mission and love for his men brought us through some really tough times. His example inspired bravery in his men, including me, even when we were scared to death. He lead from the front and never, never asked us to do anything that he would not do himself. We are friends and brothers to this day. I have to be honest, when I was in combat in Vietnam, I did not fight for Mom, Apple Pie and the Flag, although that was the reason for my visit to Vietnam, I was fighting for my fellow team members. I did not want to let them down, I was afraid not to do my best for fear it would cost them their lives. It was not about me it was about them. This is the love my Staff Sergeant instilled in all of us. His strength of charter, his bravery, leadership, and outstanding knowledge, and skill got most of us through Vietnam with our lives. He is a true American hero.

Not many celebrity passing have hurt, but this one really truly did hurt a lot

Love that he owned a true 70’s van with a mural on the side.

It's sad but true that our government doesn't take care of our veterans like they should.i will remember you always Gunny.

R. Lee Ermey was the reason i joined the UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS... I LOVED IT AND MISS IT

I was at Ft Huachucha in 2012 for an electronic warfare course prior to deployment. We were treated to some inspirational words that the Gunny recorded for Task Force Paladin. There were problems with people not understanding the Counter IED systems and jammers and refusing to turn them in in theater. "The Gear works, trust it. But it won't work if you people don't turn the fucking things on!" R.I.P. Gunny

RLE is a great American hero. His acting was natural. He inspired me to join the military and after multiple tours I’m honored to serve like he did.

RIP Gunny!!!

thank you Gunny, I'm Air Force, but we're brothers

One of the nicest people who I ever met. Rest easy R Lee Ermey.

My husband was a Viet Nam vet. He loved the Gunny. As I'm watching, I'm thinking of how much Ed would have enjoyed this. Great tribute. Thank you.

He grew up here in Washington ... Something in the fresh food, water and air up here ... Semper Fi brother Marine ... Hold the fort till the rest of us get there ... As for the thumbs downers, go play on the freeway ...

R.I.P gunny thank you for your service 🇺🇲🇺🇸

And America has shed a tear for one of its best heroes and icons is gone.

I wasn’t aware he was actually a veteran, but I’m so not surprised. He always brought such a realism to those roles. A tremendously talented character actor.

May the stars and stripes fly over you, god bless you

A true American hero that looked out for other true American Heroes

"A good soldier never leaves a man behind". What a legend dude.

My son took a picture of me and Gunny at a GI JOE Weekend of Heroes show in Ontario, California a few years back. My son and son-in-law both bought Gunny's DVDs. He looked like a really tough US Marine to me. As we moved on, he shook my hand and said Semper Fi to me. There's only one Gunny and I'm sure a lot of his fans will miss him. RIP Gunny.

I met him at the Deadwood Lodge while he was filming a motorcycle commercial.He took the time to shake hands and talk to everyone. he even invited us to be in the commercial with him. HELL OF A MAN R.I.P. GUNNY

He’s an un-replaceable staple in the military and an amazing actor and human being!!!!

October 19, 2021, and I’m glad Gunny isn’t around to see what the world has come to, but at the same time I miss him, he was a true inspiration to me as a kid, and if I’m being honest the world needs him now more than ever

No mention of him being the only Marine to be given a promotion after leaving the Corps. He was only a E-6, then made an official E-7 after his service

Nice van Gunny you had good taste RIP!

He was the best damn Vietnam veteran rest in peace

He was a amazing man and will be missed. His grandmother most have loved him and have some stories of him. God bless him and his family

Semper fi God Bless You and your family and the whole of the US Military

A man who will always be loved and missed by freedom loving Americans. The greatest honor of my life has been working with the military as a civilian contractor. Respect, Honor and never forget. RIP Gunny!

R.I.P. Gunny!!!🇺🇸 SEMPER FI....OOORAH!!!!😇

As a navy veteran 70-74, I thank you Gunny. Thank you for standing up and helping our brothers.

A real mans man

The Gunny loved his Marine Corps and that's why we loved him. To have such passion about being a Marine and being a Vietnam Veteran, is just an inspiration. Dear Gunny, thanks for everything you did and continue to do. Rest In Peace Leatherneck...

RIP Gunny. I'm sure Heaven is appreciating the new angel corps.

REST IN PEACE A TRUE AMERICAN HERO. 🇺🇸

A Marine never retires , and never dies. We will remember him forever.

Maybe some don't know, but R. Lee Ermey was not going to be in Full Metal Jacket, originally. He was there to teach the actor that was going to be in the movie, as the Drill Sergeant, how to do it. They ended up putting R. Lee Ermey in the movie, because no one could do it like him. RIP, Sir!

I do miss the Gunny.... Semper Fi! Rest easy Marine!

I just came across this tribute to Gunny, To my surprise, at 7:37 into the video there is the photo of me presenting Gunny with the Our Nation's Flag. This happened on top of the Al Faw Palace in (Victory Base) Iraq in 08. Everything you have heard about this man and his character is true. A true patriot, amazing and incredible man.

I loved watching Gunny, brought back memories of my grandfather . Now brings back memories of Gunny too. Rest in peace Lee Ermey

Gunny was the real deal.

R. Lee Ermey was a good man. R.I.P Gunny we miss you.

I had the honor of meeting him during a car convention 18 years ago, as young Airman we asked him to chew us out but he declined for the sake of the nearby children.

This man may have been terrifying on the outside, but he was a man of honor to everyone. God, treat him well.

RIP, Gunny. You will be remembered, sir. Before you were a Marine, now you're the Corps. *Salute*

Thank you for your service in the Corps and helping our fellow veterans Gunny. As a Navy Corpsman, I feel closer to the Marines and love the time I spent with them. I felt more like a Marine than Navy and am told frequently "You are a Marine Doc" by the Marines around me. I love those guys. Men like "The Gunny" are few and far between. You will be missed. Semper Fi Marine !

The "Gunny" did not leave us. He is still here in his movies, his stories and our memories. It's like he will never leave us. There are more out there like him that have protected us and still do to this day. We need to remember those and honor them as well as we honor the "Gunny". Semper fi. I only wish I had someone like him when I was going through basic.

RIP Gunny Ermy!! We love you Sir. Your dedication, duty and sacrifice is one for everybody to emulate. Slow salute to an honored great.

Thank you Gunny, GOD BLESS YOU and YOUR FAMILY.

The Gunny was true to his family...The Corps always comes first regardless......

This Man Educated Me Through Many Years. He Was Tough, But Reasonable, Smart, But Strong. A Good Man Deserves A Good Funeral. R.I.P R. Lee Ermey.

The navy dipped out on a legend. I’m ex Royal Navy and and a fellow veteran. Even over here in England Gunny was a legend

RIP Gunny....You are missed.

Whilst I never had the honor nor privilege to meet the Gunny let me tell you his legacy will live on not just in his beloved USMC but in all of our outstanding men and women who wear the sacred cloth that is the uniform of the greatest military the world has ever known! Semper Fi GySgt Rest easy and in peace sir!

Without exceptions, people are never appreciated as much in life as in death.

Before he played a Drill Sgt in "Full Metal Jacket" he played one in "The Boys From Company C" many years earlier.

If you think "they don't make em like that, any more" or "they broke the mould after they made him"....join up. R.I.P Gunny....your tour has finally ended.

Semper fi gunny

Mrs. Ermey is such a sweetheart. God bless her.

Upmost respect to my fellow Brothers In Arms, both past and present. Gunny is no exception......he was the poster boy of a true classic military man of his time, and it set many a young boys, to go off to be great men through the Military. I, for one, am truly proud to have served as well, and the pride that goes along with the distinction of being a part of one of the Greatest Organizations Of America. Thank you Gunny for representing our fellow Brothers, and Sisters of the the United States Military. You are truly missed, and we shall all meet again, in our Almighty’s Heavenly Kingdom 😞🙏🇺🇸🇵🇭🇺🇸🇵🇭⚓️⚓️🙏.......USN RETIRED, 1ST GULF WAR VETERAN ⚓️⚓️HOOORA🇺🇸👍

The Gunny is on St. Peters crew guarding the Gates of Heaven. RIP Gunny!

I often wished he would run for president... I'd vote for him. He was a great man.

Every now and then someone comes along and changes our lives for ever. The Gunny was one of them. Long live our beloved Gunnery Sergeant R. Lee Ermey. Rest easy Gunny

I love the fact that many years ago if the youth in America we’re having trouble or causing trouble and not quite able to fit in the judges would always give him the choice jail or military. I don’t think they do that anymore and I can’t understand why. The jails might not be so full and we might actually get some good soldiers out of the deal.

Thanks gunny for putting us veterans 1st rest well my brother in arms.

Definitely a hero of mine...

Thank you for your service and for all, Gunny. Semper Fi!

Most have tried but all have failed to replicate and imitate R. Lee Ermey's character. The man is a legend.