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VOLUME 75, EDITION 29
The
GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944
Service members
22nd MEU recon r platoon completes combat tactics training| 3A com
return from deployment | 2A THURSDAY JULY 11, 2013
WWW.LEJEUNE.MARINES.MIL U.S.S. KEARSARGE, AT SEA
26th MEU celebrates Fourth of July
Photos by Sgt. Christopher Q. Stone
Marines and sailors assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and sailors assigned to the U.S.S. Kearsarge, hold the American flag to commemorate the Fourth of July during their 2013 deployment on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Kearsarge, at sea, July 4. The 26th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility aboard the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group serving as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious operations across the full range of military operations.
Vietnam hero inspires service members LANCE CPL. SHAWN VALOSIN 2nd Marine Logistics Group
Service members with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, got a surprise at work July 2, when a Vietnam-era Marine visited them. First Lt. Patrick “Clebe” McClary, the recipient of the Bronze Star, the Silver Star and three Purple Heart Medals, was visiting the Marine Corps Engineer School aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and was asked to come speak with the battalion. “I was really challenged by his warrior spirit, transparency and the esprit de corps he has in his heart for all Marines,” said Lt. Col. Craig C. Clemans, the commanding officer
for 2nd Maintenance Bn. “Any Marine who can endure two years in a hospital with more than 30 surgeries, and 40 years later come to the battalion’s door step as ‘fired up’ as he was absolutely commands our respect and full attention.” McClary resigned from a college coaching position in 1967 after witnessing an American flag being burned by students protesting the Vietnam War. He then volunteered to join the Marine Corps and attended Officer Candidate School. Following OCS, McClary was given the job of platoon commander for the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. In one battle during the Vietnam War he lost his left arm and left eye after explosions by three separate
grenades but still continued to lead his men until finally losing consciousness due to the severity of his injuries. “His speech was very motivational,” said Pfc. Devin Woodson, the company clerk with 2nd Maintenance Battalion. “He was very real, and full of that ‘good old Marine Corps spirit.’ It really makes you think about life and the things we take for granted.” During his speech McClary talked about the importance of communication in relationships and the military. He also spoke of the value of life and how many active-duty service members commit suicide every day. “It’s alright to give out, but never give
up,” said McClary. “Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope.” McClary works out regularly and makes light of his injuries. He also carries a bible with him wherever he goes that has photos of his loved ones inside, and encourages people to have faith in their lives. “Despite not being physically whole, Lt. McClary is the embodiment of the “whole Marine concept,” said Clemans. “It is a profound privilege for us to stand on his shoulders and carry on all that is honorable in the title ‘Marine.’” Despite his injuries, McClary still runs on the beach with his dog, Chesty Puller, and says he loves to fish and hunt.
2/10 overcomes obstacles, continues training PFC. JOSE MENDEZ JR. 2nd Marine Division
D
Photo by Pfc. Jose Mendez Jr.
A 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment 155mm howitzer aims at the sky to shoot an illumination round during a training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, June 26.
espite the annoying mosquitoes and thundering storms, Golf Battery continued its training without a second thought. Nothing stopped the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment from firing their cannons at Gun Position 23 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, June 26. “It’s making everything really heavy,” said Pfc. Matthew I. Larios about the mud. “Every time I run back and forth, it feels like there is more weight on me.” Ninety-pound, 155 mm explosives were not the only things weighing down Larios, a cannoneer with 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines. He also felt weighed down by the amount of pressure while taking part in his first field operation. “It feels like all eyes are on me,” said Larios. “I feel like I can’t make a mistake. There is no room for error.” Pressure doesn’t only weigh on the shoulders of Marines who are new to the battery, but it also bears down on the senior Marines. “Whenever a round goes in the air I put my rank and career on the line,” said Sgt. Luis Torres-Vasquez, section chief. “I have to oversee everything with my gun, from loading the proper round to making sure coordinates are correct.” “I have to ensure the safety of my Marines and make sure they don’t slip and fall with a round, especially because it’s muddy,” said
Torres-Vasquez. “Every time we walk, our feet get stuck in the mud.” The morale of the Marines was tested after three days of constant work, rain, mud and pressure in the field. They looked for other reasons to continue their motivation. “They feed off of my energy, so I have to keep positive energy. If I become negative, they are all going to allow their fatigue to kick in,” said Torres-Vasquez. “It’s another pressure I feel. Their morale is my morale.” The 10th Marines’ regimental commander, Col. Clifford Weinstein, and Sgt. Maj. David Zhorne visited the shoot. The leadership believes these types of training environments are helpful to the Marines and their mission. “Anywhere we set up a howitzer will become a mud pit so of course it brings the morale of our troops down because they have no good place to work,” said 1st Lt. Eric Amundson, executive officer of Golf Battery. As time went on, the Marines were forced to come up with ways to accomplish the mission in the mud. By throwing planks of wood and bundles of sticks on the ground, they were able to create better traction for their vehicles and equipment. “They have to learn to deal with it because it is what we do,” said Amundson. “One of the main reasons for artillery to exist is inclement weather operations. We can fire in the rain. We can always be there for infantry units as the supporting element when the air support can’t be there or mortars don’t have enough distance.”
Inside
Summer 2013 Water Safety
1B
2nd Marine Division Band Concert
1C