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THE
GLOBE Serving Camp Lejeune and surrounding areas since 1944 WWW.CAMPLEJEUNEGLOBE.COM
VOLUME 73 EDITION 21
THURSDAY MAY 26, 20 2011
Marines celebrate 5th Annual American Hero Awards LANCE CPL. ANDREW D. JOHNSTON 2nd Marine Division
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amily members, friends, Marines and city officials gathered for the fifth annual American Hero Awards May 20, at Sywanyks Scarlet & Gold nightclub in downtown Jacksonville, N.C. The awards ceremony was hosted by Mainstreet, an organization comprised of various local businesses that support military events and honor the heroic actions of Marines and sailors from the East Coast. This year, five Marines were honored while one of them took home the prestigious John Archer Lejeune Award of Bravery. “You guys have all committed heroic acts, so you’re all winners,” said John Reed, the chief executive and executive director of Mainstreet. “But one of you will receive the John Archer Lejeune Award. These individuals’ actions have saved countless lives.” The nominees were Cpl. Benjamin I. Stellick with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Sgt.
Greg M. Palmere with 2nd Marine Logistics Group, Gunnery Sgt. Lawrence R. Ott with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, Sgt. Leroy N. Richie with Marine Corps Installation East and Sgt. Gil C. Frazier with 2nd Marine Division. Brig. Gen. W. Lee Miller, acting commanding general of 2nd Marine Division, was on hand to present the award and said a few words before the winner was announced. Miller made a point to acknowledge the spouses of each nominee. “The other real heroes in this tough fight we have been in for more than 10 years now are the spouses,” said Miller. “Our spouses make sure we know how tough it is for everybody else back here. These are the other real heroes.” All nominees were presented with a plaque, a gold dog tag and other gifts from local businesses. The John Archer Lejeune Award of Bravery went to Frazier. He was recognized for multiple heroic acts while serving with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division,
during combat operations in Afghanistan. On Dec. 3, 2010, Frazier’s platoon conducted a patrol in search of enemy weapons, improvised explosive devices and enemy fighting positions. Within the first 45 minutes of the patrol, the squad came under direct fire. After one of his fellow Marines was shot in the head, Frazier rushed to his assistance while continuing to maneuver his unit toward the enemy. According to Frazier’s Bronze Star citation, he demonstrated superb and exemplary courage under fire with an aggressive tendency to seek out and destroy the enemy with his squads. His calm leadership in the face of chaos showed his devotion to country and Corps, and his actions are envied by Marines around him, according to the citation. As the ceremony drew to an end, attendees enjoyed food, cocktails, live music entertainment and complimentary gifts. “I really enjoy hosting this event,” said Reed. “It’s very important we recognize these individuals for what they have done and continue to recognize them annually. These Marines are all truly heroes.”
Photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew D. Johnston
Brig. Gen. W. Lee Miller, acting commanding general of 2nd Marine Division, presents Sgt. Gil C. Frazier the John Archer Lejeune Award of Bravery during the fifth annual American Hero Awards, May 20, at Sywanyks Scarlet & Gold nightclub in downtown Jacksonville, N.C. Frazier won the award for multiple heroic acts while serving as a squad leader with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, in Afghanistan.
CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN
Sgt. Maj. Kent spends final days of his farewell tour with Marines in Afghanistan LANCE CPL. KATHERINE M. SOLANO Regional Command Southwest
There is a certain presence around the Marine who has led thousands of men and women throughout the past 35 years. His voice commands attention, his demeanor demands respect and his words instill unconditional pride. His smile, though fleeting, bolsters confidence, while his devil dog glare can freeze hell. Ask a man like Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, sergeant major of the Marine Corps since 2007, how he came to be so confident, so influential, so proud, and the response will be simple. He has a 235-year legacy to fulfill. He has an eagle, globe and anchor “permanently branded” on his heart. “That’s my proudest moment, earning the title and that eagle, globe and anchor,” stated Kent. As a leader of Marines, Kent has had the opportunity to make some influential
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decisions and major changes within the Marine Corps, but he does not take credit for any of it. “Me personally, I wouldn’t say that I’ve done anything to change the Marine Corps,” Kent said. “I have provided top cover to assist in changing the Marine Corps, but this is all about a team effort. Not one individual can change the Marine Corps.” In fact, he is quick to pass the credit largely to forward-deployed Marines. “Matter of fact, it is you all out here (in Afghanistan) each and every day that’s going to change the Marine Corps,” Kent stated. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos and Kent spent their time in Afghanistan as part of Kent’s farewell tour, traveling and visiting Marines from different units at multiple outposts, May 11 through 15. During their addresses to the Marines on Camp Leatherneck, the two highlighted the positive changes and
growth they have seen in Afghanistan. When asked specifically what improvements Kent had seen, he spoke of various towns and areas. “Positive encouragement is what the commandant and I see as we travel around,” Kent said with conviction. “The Afghan people feel more confident that Marines are in the towns and they are going to take care of them. “I can tell you right now, Marines see that (positive feedback). The ones that are out there every day have seen the positive change. That’s not the senior Marines telling us, it’s the junior Marines that tell us that things are turning around … you know that junior Marines (are) pretty straight-forward.” Kent had some positive encouragement of his own for the Marines currently deployed in Afghanistan. “I tell them to keep doing what they are doing because they are truly living up to
the great legacy of the Corps,” Kent said. “(They are) leaving a great legacy for those Marines coming after (them).” It is the Corps’ longstanding, rich legacy that Kent says, in large part, sets Marines apart. He also says Marines are the only service members who identify with their respective branch before identifying with their military occupational specialty or unit. “You walk up and ask any Marine, regardless of (military occupational specialty), ‘What are you?’ and the first thing out of their mouth would not be ‘I am a grunt, I am public affairs, I am motor transport, or I am military police.’” Kent said. “What would be the first thing out of a Marine’s mouth? ‘I am a United States Marine.’ And that sets us apart from everybody else.” This pride that Kent speaks of every SEE KENT 3A
CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN
Congress meets with Marine Logistics Group STAFF SGT. THERESA E. SENG 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward)
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RC(SW) COMMANDING GENERAL VISITS GEORGIAN SOLDIERS PAGE 11A LEJEUNE SPORTS 1B INSIDE LEJEUNE 1C CLASSIFIEDS 4C CAROLINA LIVING 1D
ongressional representatives from different states visited the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, recently, to meet with military leaders and local government officials to discuss operational employment, training and equipping U.S. Forces. Reps. Mark Critz, Randy Forbes and Madeleine Z. Bordallo all serve on the Armed Services Committee while Rep. Randy Hultgren serves on committees for Agriculture, and Transportation and Infrastructure. While here, they toured 2nd Maintenance Battalion’s Intermediate Maintenance Activity facility and Marine Corps Logistics Command (Fwd.), and spoke with leadership about the logistical requirements for the area of operation. They also met with Marines and contractors to learn about how equipment currently in theater is withstanding the operational tempo and environment.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Theresa E. Seng
Congressional representatives Mark Critz, Randy Forbes and Madeleine Z. Bordallo, members of the Armed Services Committee, as well as Rep. Randy Hultgren, member of the Agriculture Committee, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, visited the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, recently. While here they spoke with Marines, to include senior leadership, about how equipment currently in theater is withstanding the operational tempo and environment.