FReeper Canteen ~ Get Out The Military Vote! July Thread! ~ July 15 2004

MoJo2001 and FRiends of the Canteen

[Darksheare]

I am here.
Well, for 30 minutes at least..

[Kathy in Alaska]

Tongan Royal Marine Pvt. Paula Tatafu helps provide security in one of the perimeter towers at Camp Blue Diamond. Tatafu is one of 45 Tongan Royal Marines who arrived here earlier this month to assist is guard duties here. (USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald)

Tongan Marines join U.S. Marines in Iraq

Submitted by: 1st Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200471553640
Story by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq(July 13, 2004) -- U.S. Marines here with 1st Marine Division recently welcomed "friendly islanders" from Tonga with a warm "malo e leielei."

Forty-five Tongan Royal Marines traveled from their tiny South Pacific island in order to support the division's security and stabilization mission in Iraq. They arrived earlier this month and are currently planning to stay for a six-month tour before heading home.

This trip marks the first peacekeeping deployment for the Tongan Defense Service outside of the South Pacific.

"All of my men volunteered to come to Iraq," said Tongan Capt. Maama Misi, platoon commander. "Our Marine Corps is very small and everyone wanted to come out here, but we could only bring a certain number."

The country of Tonga - the only monarchy in the Pacific - is four times the size of Washington D.C., and is home to about 110,000 residents. The Tongan Royal Marines Corps is made up of a few hundred people, so the group here makes up a large chunk of the defense force.

The Royal Marines who were selected hold a variety of billets. Most are infantrymen, but a few serve as mechanics, communications technicians and welders.

All of the Tongans make up part of the camp's guard force, responsible for providing internal and external security here.

"Since they got here, the Tongans have been doing the exact same duties as the U.S. Marines," explained Staff Sgt. Kenneth D. Douglas, sergeant of the guard. "They man the towers, rove around the camp and do escort duty. They work the same hours as us and sweat the same sweat."

Before arriving here, the Tongans spent the last year training for the mission.

"We trained for a long time before leaving Tonga," Misi explained. "We focused on conventional warfare - things every Marine knows."

The rest of the story

[darkwing104]

Thanks for the Woohoo

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

Good afternoon, Old Sarge. How's it going?

[Mudboy Slim]

"I have lost five limbs..."

No comment...MUD

[Kathy in Alaska]

Wreaths and candles stand in memorial to 1st Lt. Brian Slavenas, Chief Warrant Officer Bruce Smith and Sgt. Paul Fisher, the Illinois and Iowa Guardsmen from Company F, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation who lost their lives when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down in Iraq in November 2003. (Photo by Tim Franklin, Illinois Department of Military Affairs)

Solemn reminder marks joyful return

By Tim Franklin
Illinois Department of Military Affairs

PEORIA, Ill. (7/14/2004) — On a black-draped table, three memorial wreaths and candles offered a stark contrast to the joyful celebration of the long-awaited return of the Soldiers of Company F, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation from the sands of Iraq. In the center of each wreath the photos of three fallen Guardsmen stood as a solemn reminder that, although the Illinois and Iowa Army National Guard helicopter unit was finally back home after nearly 18 months, not all of the company made it back home to family and loved ones.

On November 3, 2003, three aircrew members of F Company were killed when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down by insurgents near Fallujah, Iraq. Killed in the incident were Illinois Army National Guardsman 1st Lt. Brian Slavenas and Iowa Guardsmen Chief Warrant Officer Bruce Smith and Sgt. Paul Fisher.

“While each person in front of you got up each day to do their jobs, it wasn’t without danger,” company commander Maj. Tom Parker told the audience. “In November 2003 that danger became a reality for us. Three individuals who left with in February of last year aren’t here today.”

Bowed heads and a moment of silence marked the loss of the three patriotic Illinois and Iowa Citizen Soldiers, followed by the haunting melody of “Amazing Grace” played by a local bagpiper.

“They made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Parker.

Link

RIP 1LT SlavenasRIP CWO SmithRIP Sgt Fisher.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Spotsy posted it the first time, but it's cute I'm glad to see it again.

Mr S....great caption!

[Fawnn]

You're welcome. ;)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome home! Did you get everything done today? Weather conditions? How are all the kids? How about a snack? *HUG*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Iraqi Police, supported by U.S. troops, respond to the scene of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device explosion outside gate three to the Baghdad Green Zone, July 14, 2004. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop

Vehicles are damaged by an explosion from a vehicle borne improvised explosive device outside gate three to the Baghdad Green Zone, Iraq, July 14, 2004. Iraqi Police, supported by U.S. Forces, respond to the scene. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

A car was damaged by an explosion from a vehicle borne improvised explosive device outside gate three to the Baghdad Green Zone, Iraq, July 14, 2004. Iraqi Police, supported by U.S. Forces, respond to the scene. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop

A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device is being assessed by Iraqi Police officers. The device exploded July 14, 2004, outside gate three of the Green Zone, Baghdad, Iraq. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop

[Fawnn]

Apple's Steve Jobs is in a battle with the historical society of Woodside, California. Jobs wants to tear down this 17,000-square-foot, 14-bedroom, 13 1/2-bath baronial Spanish Colonial Revival mansion....



...and build something different in its place.

Full story is here.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A senior Iraqi Police Officer assesses the damage caused by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device explosion outside gate three to the Baghdad Green Zone, July 14, 2004. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop

A security dog is guided to search vehicles for more vehicle born explosive devices after one went off outside gate three to the Baghdad Green Zone, Iraq, July 14, 2004. Iraqi Police, supported by U.S. Forces, respond to the scene. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashley Brokop

[Kathy in Alaska]

HI there, E! ((HUGS)) Overcast skies. Lots of new fires in the state. Hope it's not too hot at your house. My computer did its updates over night all by itself.

[minor49er]

500?

[minor49er]

500/

[minor49er]

500?