Ladies and Gentlemen,
My name is Jeff Dancker and I am active member of the 2/4 Association. I served from 2004-2008 and am currently a Police Sergeant in California. My “generation” of Marines were afforded the opportunity to participate in social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) from its’ inception; as social media was initially geared towards college or younger-type crowds. I saw this as a fast and easy way to stay in touch with several of your friends, see what/how they’re doing, and everything that surrounds everyday life. I currently only use Instagram and have noticed countless former and active duty Marines using the social media platform.
For those of you that don’t know, Instagram is free social media platform that emphasizes photo and video sharing via its mobile app. You can take, edit, share, and publish visual content for your followers to interact with you. You can comment, “like”, and share pretty much any photo or video on the app. There are currently over 1 billion people using Instagram on a monthly basis.
As a Police Sergeant, I created an Instagram account for our Police Department’s K9 Association, which has over 9,000 followers. These followers regularly donate money, food, ballistic vests, crates/beds and toys for our K9s. It is a great way to spread the word of upcoming events/fundraisers, share photos or videos, and interact with your followers. I have recently passed that torch onto another Officer, as I was promoted and put in charge of a different unit.
On my personal Instagram account, I’m “following” (or friends with) my current coworkers, Marines I served with, and several other Veteran pages. A few months ago, I started noticing there are several infantry battalions with Instagram accounts. I reached out to a few of these accounts and they are all being operated by Veterans of that specific battalion.
On 12/8/2020, I decided to create a 2nd Battalion 4th Marines Instagram page (account name is @2ndbattalion4thmarineshistory). The account already has over 220 followers, most of which are former or active duty 2/4 Marines, or family members. Currently, the account is averaging 10-20 new followers per day.
I wanted to be able to share our history, photographs, videos, and stories on Instagram. I know that the website you all have tirelessly created contains all that. However, I know a lot of Marines that don’t regularly visit websites, haven’t signed up for the newsletter, or sometimes life just gets in the way. A lot of these Marines from my generation or more current are active Instagram users. I can say that it’s almost second nature to wake up and check Instagram, or browse Instagram while waiting at the DMV, etc. This platform is an easy and free way to bring more of the newer generation of Marines to not only learn and appreciate 2/4’s history, but also to direct these Marines to the 2/4 Association website.
I don’t want to detract from the website. That is not my intention by any means. My intention is to provide an alternate platform that 2/4 Marines can use which can bridge the gap and bring more 2/4 members together.
I’m willing to run this Instagram page and post anything 2/4 Association related or just anything about 2/4 in general. Currently, I have posted 22 pictures ranging from 2/4 MOH recipients, history, and follower-submitted photos. I would say the most photos I’m receiving are from Marines who served from 2004-present. With Instagram, you can also add a website to your account, so I added the 2/4 Association website as a link for our followers to click on. We do not post anything that could compromise operational security.
Follow 2/4 on Instagram – @2ndbattalion4thmarineshistory
If there are any questions or concerns, please let me know. My email address is jdancker@gmail.com. I’m currently working nights so if I don’t get back to you right away, I will as soon as I get the email or message.
Thank you for your time and Semper Fi,
Jeff
NOTE: All Marines who have served in 2/4 in an assigned or attached capacity, are eligible to be members of our Association. At the present time, membership is free (including life memberships). It is encouraged that members understand that they may present information and pictures for inclusion on our web site and in our quarterly newsletter when/if desired. Newsletters are posted on the web site as well, thus having an Instagram site is “icing on the cake” for those who prefer that medium platform. If you are not a member of the Association, just click “Join Us” on the home page, and fill out the membership application on line and submit it. Our Secretary / Membership Chairman will take it from there. We hope that all not presently members will take advantage of this great opportunity.
How do I post photos to the 2/4 instagram account? I have a few photos of BLT 2/4 when we were on the Tripoli on ’71/’72 deployment out of Okinawa.
Thomas,
If you don’t have an instagram account, you can email them to me at jdancker@gmail.com and I will post them for you! If you have an instagram account, just follow @2ndbattalion4thmarineshistory and the photos can also be sent that way. Either way, we’d LOVE to see whatever pics you got!
Jeff –
Thank you for your intro and 2/4 connection.
I served in 2/4 Aug of 1967 – Graveyard “G” Co., when I was urged to jump from a hovering chopper on top of Con Thien right next to the DMZ. If I had not jumped and then jumped again, into a Foxhole (on top of another Marine) I might not have survived my first day in combat. Many of my fellow FNGs went back to the rear as “Med-e-vacs” for being too slow or just bad luck. I was a blooperman for my squad and felt very fortunate to have that in addition to the M-16. When we were surrounded at a small bridge on Oct 14 ’67 and subsequently overrun, I managed to kill 7 NVA (and blew up our own M-60 in the process) point blank. My foxhole partner and I were both wounded from a succession of many hand grenades because I was very successful for stopping them from using the M-60 on us after they overran our “L” shaped night position.
Semper Fi Jeff.
Stay SAFE!!
Sgt Erle Mutz
Sgt Mutz,
First off…those are some jaw dropping stories. I know you probably have 100 more just like it!! It really is crazy to think how much you and your fellow Marines went through….I’ve only seen Vietnam from documentaries and that definitely seemed like one of the hardest wars one could’ve fought in. The amount of respect we have for your generation of warriors is immeasurable. If you have any photos you’d like to share from your time in Vietnam, I would absolutely love to see them and share them with the other Marines of 2/4! Email me at jdancker@gmail.com and Semper Fi!!! You stay safe as well!
I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE THAT REMEMBERRS ME,
Did you join the Instagram or Facebook pages? That might help. If you click on Roster, under Membership, there is a pdf of the current roster. That might be a way to find some current members who were in your unit and start there? I hope that helps. (Kristen – webmaster)
Is this The Tom Tilque that graduated from Roosevelt HS.
I’ve lost your contact info and would love to catch up.
danrompc@yahoo.com
I’ve sent you both an email to connect you two, as a courtesy since he didn’t include his email. (Kristen)