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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE (Feb. 28, 2006) -- The Marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen of the 2nd Marine Division returned home today after completing a successful year-long deployment in western Iraq’s Al Anbar province. The division conducted combined counter-insurgency operations alongside its Iraqi Security Force counterparts from March 2005 to February 2006 and transferred authority of the province to the Camp Pendleton, Calif.-based I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) before returning to Camp Lejeune, N.C. The 2nd Marine Division was the ground combat element for II MEF (FWD) and was supported by 2nd Marine Logistics Group (FWD) and 2nd Marine...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Feb. 13, 2006) -- With a loud roar of cheers, numerous hugs and kisses, and much celebration, the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment returned to Camp Lejeune on Feb. 11-13. Having completed every mission the battalion commander put in front of them, the Marines of 2/2 have a reason to celebrate. “I couldn’t have asked any more of the Marines and sailors of 2/2, they did an outstanding job with every mission they had to complete,” said Lt. Col. J. J. Minick, battalion commander. “It feels great to be back in the...

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- More troops have died in off-duty motorcycle accidents after they returned from duty in Afghanistan than have been killed fighting there since Sept. 11, 2001, safety records show. Military commanders in North Carolina say the deaths are largely the result of boredom, bonus pay, and adrenalin to burn off after troops return from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 350 troops have died on bikes since the 2001 terrorist attacks. That's compared to 259 killed while serving in Afghanistan. Nearly 1,000 more troops have been injured on bikes. Marine Lance Cpl. Mark Strickland, 24, was one...

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Wednesday 21 illegal immigrants working for construction companies at Camp Lejeune, the agency said. The workers were from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico and most had counterfeit immigration documents. Fifteen of the 21 workers were transported to the Johnston County Jail Wednesday evening because the sheriff there signed a contract with the federal government to house suspected illegal immigrants who had been arrested "I believe, as a sheriff, I have an obligation to help the federal government get illegal aliens off the streets of our county, our state...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Aug. 25, 2005) -- Cpl. Mike Anderson, G-5 Marine Air Ground Task Force plans non-commissioned officer-in-charge, II Marine Expeditionary Force has helped coordinate the deployment of more than 30,000 Marines and sailors in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. However, once the service members leave for deployment, Anderson and his family don’t leave them out to dry. Rich Lane, Anderson’s uncle and founder of Treats and Letters From America Incorporated not for profit, sends homemade beef jerky and letters to II MEF Marines, sailors, and any other service member who asks for...

Jacksonville (N.C.) Daily News Aug. 24, 2005 More undocumented workers found By Chris Mazzolini An additional 18 undocumented workers were apprehended and later released Tuesday during gate searches at Camp Lejeune, a base spokesman said, bringing the total since last week to 57. The workers Tuesday were photographed, fingerprinted, checked by military police for outstanding warrants and then released off base property, said Maj. Cliff Gilmore, a spokesman for II Marine Expeditionary Force. None of the workers had criminal records, he said. "We had no security-threat reason to hold them," Gilmore said. It's the same process the base undertook last...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-- (Aug 19, 2005) -- The United States Marine Corps prides itself in tradition and uniformity despite the passage of time. While individual Marines share many similar traits, each also has a different background that proves to be a benefit to the unit. Lance Cpl. Darruse J. Stan, a native of Queens, N.Y., and originally from Poland, came to the United States when he was 16 years old to be with his mother. “My mother was here. She’s a citizen,” said Stan, who shares dual American and Polish citizenship, “I’m here by choice. It’s a...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Aug. 18, 2005) -- To any casual observer visiting the F-11A pistol and battlesight zero range here, 1st Lt. Charles E. Hayter, a 26-year-old native of Billings, Mont., looks like any run-of-the-mill platoon commander… standing, watching over his Marines as they zero their rifles before they deploy to Iraq. A closer examination might reveal otherwise, but it would have to be a real close observation. The only telltale sign would be the tightness of one boot over the other and it’s rigid appearance, because inside that boot exists a prosthetic. Hayter, platoon commander for...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-- (Aug. 19, 2005) -- James Slay wasn’t your typical new recruit, as one of only five percent of Marines who earned the globe and anchor without getting a high school diploma. Most enlisted Marines share the common background of having finished high school and joined the Corps. However, this squad automatic weapon gunner from Deville, La., with the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, graduated from the Youth Challenge Program sponsored by his local National Guard. Slay demonstrates that many roads can lead to the same destination, when he and his classmates graduated from...

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- An anonymous tip triggered an investigation of undocumented workers at Camp Lejeune, resulting in 40 people being detained and a federal investigation, a base spokesman said. Camp Lejeune officials detained 27 people at base gates during security checks Wednesday and another 12 at various construction sites Monday, 1st Lt. Clark Carpenter said Thursday. Military investigators went to the site of the new primary school at 10:30 a.m. Monday and apprehended five undocumented workers, Carpenter said. Checks at other construction sites that same day found another seven. That caused the base to step up inspections at a...

CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina (AP) -- John Prazynski stood in the sea of welcome home signs and wondered why he was there. Prazynski's son, Lance Cpl. Taylor Prazynski, wasn't going to be among the 900 Marines from the 3rd Battalion who arrived home Sunday. Taylor Prazynski, 20, was killed May 9 from an insurgent mortar shell. But his father had promised his son he would attend the homecoming, so he rode his Harley Davidson more than 650 miles from Hamilton, Ohio, to Camp Lejeune. "I don't have any sort of agenda. I guess I want to thank his brothers for...

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- About 900 Marines returned Sunday in one of Camp Lejeune's biggest homecomings this year of troops from Iraq.The troops, part of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, returned on buses from Cherry Point Air Station. They had left in January for Iraq, where their mission was to neutralize Iraqi insurgents and train the Iraqi Army."It's great to be back," said Lance Cpl. Donald Briere, 20, hugging his wife, Samantha, for the first time in seven months.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Aug. 5, 2005) -- The average day of a Marine deployed to a combat zone is anything but average. As the Global War on Terrorism rages on, Marines find themselves facing tough situations and decisions on a daily basis. With the lives of fellow Marines on the line, the ultimate goal is to return Marines home alive. Gunnery Sgt. Gordon R. Hill Jr. of Los Fresnos, Texas was awarded the Bronze Star medal with combat distinguishing device for Valor here, Aug. 5, for his actions taken while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., Aug. 3, 2005 – Marines of Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment received pocket American flags here 15 July from Brenda Brummer, a volunteer with the Pocket Flag Project, shortly before deploying to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Brummer folded over three hundred flags for the company by herself then drove six hours to Camp Lejeune to deliver the flags to the deploying Marines. “When I look at the flags I have made I think of the people who have given part or all of their lives for this...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (July 29, 2005) -- The average day of a Marine deployed to a combat zone is filled with dangerous situations. Marines prepare on a daily basis to ensure that each situation is handled skillfully and diligently. Today’s Marines face tough and unexpected situations on a daily basis in combat zones throughout the world in the Global War on Terrorism. Staff Sgt. John M. Kennedy of Junction City, Ohio, was awarded the Purple Heart medal here, July 25, for wounds received while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (July 29, 2005) -- The average day of a Marine deployed to a combat zone is anything but average. As the Global War on Terrorism rages on, Marines find themselves facing tough situations and decisions on a daily basis. With the lives of fellow Marines on the line, the ultimate goal is to return Marines home alive. Sergeant Jason M. Simms of Philadelphia, Pa., was awarded the Purple Heart medal here, July 25, for wounds received while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Simms...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (June 17, 2005) -- Marines from 2nd Radio Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, were greeted by friends, family and fellow Marines upon their return from Iraq June 17. The leathernecks arriving at Camp Lejeune via bus were greeted by families lining the roads, holding colorful, hand-made banners, waving American flags and cheering as the chartered buses pulled up to the battalion area. “This is very exciting,” said Jim Bethany, father of Duncan, Okla., native Cpl. Joshua B. Bethany. “It’s good to see him back safe and sound.” The families had been hosted in style...

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — A key witness in the case against a Marine officer accused of murdering two Iraqi civilians was abruptly taken off the stand Wednesday, accused of giving interviews. Marine Sgt. Daniel Coburn was testifying at a hearing against 2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano when the investigating officer, Maj. Mark E. Winn, read Coburn his rights and told him he was suspected of violating orders from superior officers. Defense attorneys had cross-examined Coburn about interviews he has given. Coburn said he had been told he was allowed to defend his character. The focus on Coburn brought to a temporary...

Byron Holland/Sun Journal Wheeler Lipes, seen in the December 2002 file photo, is a former submariner who performed surgeries in WWII. After many years and publications featuring his historic and controversial work, Lipes will finally receive the Navy Commendation Medal. Navy Commendation Medal to be awarded to former pharmacists' mate Wheeler Lipes will finally get his medal. Sixty-three years ago, Lipes performed a historic and controversial surgery aboard a submarine, saving a young sailor's life. For Lipes, who has been battling pancreatic cancer in recent years, it will be gratifying to receive the Navy Commendation Medal. "I certainly didn't...

Relatives in Utah and Lebanon say they have no clue about the location, and mind-set, of Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun, the Utah Marine who was charged with deserting his post in Iraq last year and who was again declared a deserter Wednesday. Hassoun, who spent a week with his family in West Jordan on holiday leave, was to report back for motor pool duty at Camp Lejeune, N.C., by noon Tuesday. By 3 p.m. Wednesday, his whereabouts still unknown, Hassoun's command authorized civil authorities to catch and return him to military control. Unconfirmed reports placed Hassoun, 24, en route to...