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VOLUME 75, EDITION 19
The
GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944
Marines work together to maintain effectiveness | 6A
Ammunition techs supply units for training | 3A
THURSDAY MAY 9, 2013
WWW.LEJEUNE.MARINES.MIL EJE EUN UNE E MA MAR RINES MIIL RIN RI USS KEARSARGE, AT SEA
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit celebrates 46 years CPL. KYLE N. RUNNELS 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Marines and sailors assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as well as sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), gathered to commemorate the 26th MEU’s 46th birthday on the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge, at sea April 24. “It is absolutely appropriate that we are out here, afloat, embarked on this LHD, an amphibious ship of the United States Navy” said Col. Matthew G. St. Clair, commanding officer of the 26th MEU. “This is where we belong – this is where you belong, being part of that blue- green team. For our 45th birthday we had the pleasure of being afloat on the USS Wasp, and now we get to do it again, but this time we are forwarddeployed as a crisis response force ready to respond today, with what we have embarked, to meet whatever challenge that may be.” With 46 years of history the 26th MEU has been a force to be reckoned with, traveling to all corners of the world, conducting a variety of
operations, and creating milestones to be proud of. “This MEU has done many things over its 46 years. It was once a (Marine Amphibious Unit), then it became a MEU, then a MAU, and now it has become a MEU again,” said St. Clair. “It has been all over the world. It has been to the Caribbean, it’s been to Albania, it’s been to Iraq, and it’s been to Afghanistan – it was the first MEU to deploy with tanks; it was the first MEU to deploy with Harriers. There are a lot of firsts with this MEU.” Sgt. Maj. Todd M. Parisi, 26th MEU sergeant major, said this was a good time for Marines and sailors to come together and take a glance back and provide us a little bit more awareness for our firm footing today, and look to the future in order to be prepared to be today’s force, to beat today’s crisis. “The Marine Expeditionary Unit forward deployed is a magnificent creature,” said Parisi. “To be able to be so diverse, and to be forward deployed on the deck of a ship, out at sea, celebrating the MEU’s birthday with Marines and sailors being the nations force
Photo by Cpl. Kyle N. Runnels
U.S. Marines and sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit stand in formation before a birthday cake cutting ceremony to celebrate the MEU’s 46th birthday aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge April 24. on-call, prepared to do whatever needs to be done - that is what makes this celebration so unique. We are really living the essence of what we all came into the Marine Corps to do, to be a part of this magnificent force, to be standing by for whatever may occur.” The 26th MEU”s sergeant major said no one is certain on what is
next for the amphibious quick-reaction force, but he said he did know one thing for sure. “What you are certainly guaranteed is excellence in execution,” he said. “A consolidation of great American warriors, patriots, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, moms and dads, who have the courage to leave home and do whatever
2nd Marine Division hosts World War II Day
needs to be done. A family that truly lives by the essence, soul and spirit of that very word. You can be assured that no matter what is tasked to us, whether it be theater security operations, a raid, a (non-combatant evacuation operation), combat operations, or a trap mission, no matter what it is, no matter when it is, if it is in our theater of operation, we will do it with excellence.” Before cutting the cake that was presented by the combat cooks and culinary specialists of the blue-green team, the colonel of the 26th MEU left the Marines and sailors at the ceremony with a few last words. “Each MEU has the same kind of mission, but what makes the MEU ‘the MEU’ is you,” said St. Clair. “The Marines and sailors that are standing before me: this is your MAGTF. You, as you are now, are opening a new chapter in our history and it will close when this deployment closes. That is why we are here. We are here because our nation may need us. Our nation may need us when our nation is least ready and we are most ready. We are that certain force in an uncertain world.”
Inside
CPL. ED GALO 2nd Marine Division
Marines and sailors with 2nd Marine Division hosted World War II Day aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune April 25. The day consisted of veterans of World War II visiting Camp Lejeune and getting a taste of the modern Marine Corps. Although it was mostly WWII veterans, there were also veterans of Korea and Vietnam in attendance. The veterans saw modern versions of the weapons they used during their time including Amphibious Assault Vehicles landing on Onslow Beach and other demonstrations. “So while a lot has changed in 70 years, I think what you and these young Marines will find out is that an awful lot hasn’t about being a Marine, sailor, soldier or airman,” said Brig. Gen. James Lukeman commanding general, 2nd Marine Division. Lukeman also said WWII Day was also a good chance for today’s Marines to talk to and learn from the Marines of the past. “The battles that we learn about in history; Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa, Iwo Jima – these guys served in those battles and they set the foundation for what our Marines stand on today,” said Lukeman. Once the veterans saw the static display of today’s weapons and the AAV’s land on Onslow Beach, they made their way to the ramps at 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion and saw static displays of the AAVs and Tanks. They then had a break and enjoyed a lunch on base.
Lejeune track team wins regionals
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Photo by Cpl. Michael Warren
Marines and sailors with the 2nd Marine Division celebrate World War II Day with veteran Marines aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune April 25. The Marines invited veterans from all services to join them as they honored the sacrifices and historical impact made by the U.S. Armed Forces during the war. The day continued with a presentation at the officers’ club aboard Camp Lejeune. Mark Noah showed the veterans a presentation about a project he has been working on. He has been going to the where the Marines fought in the Pacific Theater during WWII and searches for the remains of Marines who were missing in action. He recovers the bodies of fallen Marines in order to bring them home and give them a proper funeral and burial in their homeland.
After Noah’s presentation, retired Gunnery Sgt. Ralph Roucco presented a book captured from a Japanese officer on Tarawa to the 2nd Marine Division. Lukeman accepted the book on behalf of the Division and the book will be displayed at the division headquarters located in Julian C. Smith Hall. At the end of the ceremony, the Marines stayed at the officers’ club for drinks and hors d’oeuvres and listened to performances from the 2nd Marine Division Band.
Families participate in Star Wars day
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