The South Potomac Pilot
6
Friday, August 16, 2013
The South Potomac Pilot
Friday, August 16, 2013
Navy remembers local Marine with building dedication
Christine Honeycutt in her own words
At
N
aval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD) honored the sacrifice of Lance Cpl. Terry Edward “T. J.” Honeycutt, Jr., by dedicating the Explosives Development Facility Administration Building and Change House (Bldg. 3137) located on Naval Support Facility Indian Head, Md., Aug. 7. The building - constructed as a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission’s decision relocating functions from the command’s Yorktown, Va., detachment opened in April 2011. It serves as an administrative office for NSWC IHEODTD employees working on pressed explosives, and provides a change house area where employees can don flameretardant personnel protective gear required for use in labs and industrial environments. Family members, fellow Marines, NSWC IHEODTD employees, and Congressional representatives attended the event where a plaque noting Honeycutt’s service and sacrifice was unveiled. “A little more than two years ago, our command leadership and public affairs office started the process to name Building 3137,” said NSWC IHEODTD technical director Dennis McLaughlin. “NSWC Indian Head EOD Technology Division has a long, 123-year history in Charles County, and it was important to us that we name this building after a local hero. We formed a list of people who were more than worthy to have a facility named after them, and Lance Cpl. Honeycutt quickly rose to the top.” Honeycutt - a Charles County, Md., resident - was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, in Camp Lejeune, N.C.; and had served for less than one year when he died, Oct. 27, 2010, from wounds received in combat during operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Honeycutt’s former unit commander recalled the young Marine’s contributions. “When T.J. deployed to Afghanistan in June 2010, our battalion was sent to Northern Marja, which at the time was the most hostile area of Afghanistan,” said Lt. Col. Jim Fullwood. “It had been a base of operations for the Taliban for many years prior. T.J.’s company was placed in the roughest part. Until the day T.J. was killed in action, he carried out hundreds of patrols and fought daily battles. That’s what Marines do. “He also brought hope,” continued Fullwood. “He worked with the Afghan army to train their soldiers, and begin to establish security for the Afghan people so they could raise their children and live their lives without fear of the oppressive Taliban. T.J. helped
US Navy photo by Matthew Poynor
From left to right, Capt. Stephen Osowski, 1st Lt. (Ret.) Tim Fallon and his service dog Orson, Gunnery Sgt. Bruce Henning, Capt. Todd Philips and Capt. Mike Manocchio examine the plague honoring Lance Cpl. Terry E. Honeycutt Jr., with whom they served in Afghanistan. “He was an outstanding Marine,” said Fallon, who was a platoon commander in Honeycutt’s company. “It was really, really tough losing him for the whole company.” Fallon was himself wounded one month after Honeycutt was killed.
bring the first rays of light to a very dark part of the world. The difference he made to that troubled piece of Afghanistan was seen during our next deployment to Marja. Before, it had been the ulcer of Afghanistan. When we returned, it had become a model for the rest of the country. Where the government and Afghan forces could not travel before in the
areas T.J. patrolled, they now travel freely. Where children were unable to attend school, schools now flourish. Where the Afghan government could not reach, they now provide services. These were all changes brought on by the unselfish dedication of Lance Cpl. T.J. Honeycutt.” Honeycutt mother Christine shared her son’s love of the military, and her
Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD) Commanding Officer Capt. Thomas Smith and Technical Director Dennis McLaughlin unveil the Honeycutt memorial plaque with Lance Cpl. Terry Honeycutt’s father Terry [senior], mother Christine, sister Dawn, and nieces Danielle and Terra.
gratitude for the recognition of his sacrifice. “T.J. wanted to be on the front lines protecting us, his brothers, and our na-
tion,” said Honeycutt. “He knew he was risking his life and might never come home, but I don’t think he was afraid to die as long as it was in an honorable
kids that was really affected by that and I think that just furthered his resolve to get into the Marine Corps that much quickthe dedication of the er. He didn’t want to be an offiNaval Surface Warcer; he wanted to be a grunt. He fare Center Indian wanted to do the hard things. Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal He wanted to do the hard work. Technology Division’s Explosives He wanted to be on the front Department Facility Administralines protecting his brothers... tion Building and Change House and us as a country. He wanton Aug. 7, Christine Honeycutt, mother of Lance Cpl. Terry “TJ” ed to take out bad guys and he Honeycutt Jr., spoke about her knew he was risking his life. son’s service and her family’s loss. “He knew there was a chance Honeycutt read her words after he would never come home. thanking all who worked to honor But I don’t think he was afraid her son’s memory. The following is to die if it was in an honorable a selected excerpt of her words. manner. But that’s what hap“TJ was one of those rare kids Christine Honeycutt, mother of Lance pened. That’s how he died. And who knew exactly what he wanted Cpl. Terry E. Honeycutt Jr., speaks at I’m grateful that if I had to have to do with his life at an early age the dedication of the Naval Surface my son taken from me, I would Warfare Center Indian Head Exploand he never wavered from it. He rather it be in such an honorwanted to be a Marine. From the sive Ordnance Disposal Technology able way. He died his way. He sixth grade, this was his dream and Divisionís Explosives Department Facility Administration Building and chose his fate. to him it wasn’t just a job, it was a “Whenever anyone asked way of life. Almost everything he Change House. him why he wanted to be in the did or enjoyed doing was militarymilitary, he’d always say ‘because related. Even when he was in preschool and elementary school he and his sister I want to make a difference in the Dawn would play with the little army world.’ Well, why the military? Why “He lived, he breathed, he men, the little plastic green army guys. the Marine Corps? ‘Because they’re Anybody who has a boy knows what I’m the ones who really get out there laughed, he joked, he smiled, and kick butt. I just want to make a talking about. They were everywhere. I stepped on them all the time and they difference in the world.’ constantly hurt my feet. he cried, he existed. He fought “Listening to some of the things “And then in middle school and said up here, especially by Lieutenearly high school years, he and his good for you. He fought for me. He ant Colonel Fulwood, hit home. friend Kevin spent countless hours out It was a different insight, a differin the woods, doing their own version ent view, to what we had already gave his life for all of us. His of military maneuvers. They did everyknown. That was something new to thing-they dressed in camo on the hotus. So it was really good to hear that test of days, in the rain, snow. They did boot prints are on this earth. he had that kind of an impact and everything up to and including eating made a difference like that. That bugs. I know, gross right? was his goal and I think he accom“They sharpened their shooting skills with BB guns because they couldn’t plished it, because he took an oath have M-16s. They did all this as a preparation for military of honor, courage and commitment and he took that serilife. It was just what he wanted to do and just the way he ously. And I think he was happy that he was able to make rolled. His favorite video games were military video games. such a difference in the world. I could tell you anything you wanted to know about Call of “It was his dream to be a Marine and it was his best way Duty video [games]. to die, defending our nation, I think. So it’s fitting that this “His favorite movies were military movies. That boy building is being dedicated to him. To have such an honor, did not know what he had for breakfast and couldn’t tell to have something like that. brings us great comfort. you what he learned in school, but he could tell you any“If I can’t have my son, to have an honor like this is very thing you wanted to know about any war all the way back great. You know, when you lose a child, the first thing you to World War 1. want is your child back but when you know you can’t have “And even though it was Air Force, he joined the ROTC for his high school career. He wanted that experience to that, the next thing that you want is to have your child rebe under his belt for when he got [to] boot camp and he membered, for him not to be forgotten. “In your head you’re screaming. You’re trying to move wanted to learn some military protocol... and he was good at it. He was in the color guard and drill team and even forward; you’re trying to put your life together. But the created a lot of the drill routines that they have and that whole world is going on without your child. You can’t they still do today at North Point [High School]. He stayed move forward; you’re always looking back and you’re after school so many days to practice that and I can’t tell always screaming inside your head: don’t you know my you how many holes I have in my basement ceiling from child is gone? How can the world go on without him? What tossing that rifle. right does it have to go on without him? “While his buddies were out at the mall or going to the “Please don’t forget my child. Please don’t forget he movies, going to the beach, he was out there doing ROTC existed. He lived, he breathed, he laughed, he joked, he summer leadership program courses and he was working smiled, he cried, he existed. He fought for you. He fought with the Marine recruiters and the Delayed Entry Program for me. He gave his life for all of us. His boot prints are on for the Marine Corps and he was even getting a small taste of boot camp reality at Camp Schmidt’s military program. this earth. He left his boot prints behind. “To know that this building is here and that the people “So he was preparing. He knew what he wanted to do and he was ready to do it and he was unwavering in it. who come through this building every day will know his When they caught Saddam Hussein, he was really madbe- name and see his face and know that he existed, for decause he wanted to be the one to catch him, but he wastoo cades to come, is a joy and a comfort that I can’t express to young to be in the military. His dad told him that was okay, you with mere words. Our gratitude for this can never be expressed that way so I thank all of you very much for this bin Laden was still out there. “Nine-eleven affected him greatly. He was one of those great honor. From all of our family, thank you.”
By Andrew Revelos NSASP Staff Writer
manor. When people asked him why he wanted to be a Marine, he would always reply that he wanted to make a difference. That was his goal, and I think he accomplished it.” “When you lose a child, the first thing you want is your child back. The next thing you want is to have your child remembered - for them not to be forgotten. The whole world is moving on without your child, and you can’t move forward. You’re always looking back, screaming inside your head, ‘Please, don’t forget my child! Please, don’t forget he existed! He fought for me. He fought for you. He gave his life for all of us,” Honeycutt concluded. “To know this building is here, and to know that the people who come into it for decades to come will know his name, and see his face, is a joy and comfort that I can’t express with mere words.” NSWC IHEODTD commanding officer Capt. Thomas Smith noted the command’s efforts would be in support of the men and women on the front lines. “Most of the work done at our command is dedicated to helping our warfighters protect and defend this county,” said Smith. “This includes detecting and safely disposing of IED’s [improvised explosive devices] to prevent further loss of life. While we were not able to save T.J.’s life, we know that our work, conducted by people who will forevermore come to work in the ‘Lance Cpl. Honeycutt’ building will continue to save lives.”
7