Posted on 07/26/2006 10:43:42 PM PDT by SandRat
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., July 26, 2006 — A 12-year-old from the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics exits a commercial flight in Detroit during 1988 and steps foot on U.S. soil for the first time.
More than 18 years later, that 12-year-old boy is now walking full stride amongst his brothers-in-arms within the Corps.
Lance Cpl. Dennis Greenberg, an administrative clerk with the Group Consolidated Administration Center, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, has led many walks of life that ultimately led him to being an enlisted Marine at Camp Lejeune.
“Life is full of challenging journeys and changes,” Greenberg said. “Fortunately for me, this journey has brought me here.”
Born in the communist Russian city of Kiev, now the Ukraine, Greenberg recalls his family’s first attempts of trying to move to the United States.
“My mother wanted to escape communism. My family’s first attempt was to defect during 1985,” Greenberg said. “My parents were followed by the government and were stopped by the political climate.”
While living in Russia, Greenberg lived in a four-room communal apartment with four other families.
“My parents didn’t want my little brother and I growing up in a place like that,” he said. “Even though the old country is now called the Ukraine, the mentality of the people has not changed. There was little opportunity left in the country for our family. So, we made our way to the states, officially, in 1988.”
Although he was young, Greenberg recalls with vivacity his first sight of the country he can now call home.
“My first sight of America was a limousine in Detroit and I thought all cars were like that,” he said laughing. “But as we all know, that is not the case.”
Through the years, Greenberg established a new life as an American. He graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy with a bachelor’s degree in economics, got married and worked as a branch manager at a bank.
After five years of living a normal and steady life, Greenberg said the everyday routine he came to know started to become monotonous. Since becoming nationalized during 1996, he always considered taking his life in another direction.
He was involved in method acting in Detroit and soon after, began writing a book about the history of his family. His great grandfather fought against the Germans during
World War II in Stalingrad, Russia, which put the idea of military into motion.
“I needed something else,” he admitted. “I always thought about joining the military, but was hesitant of what branch to join. My younger brother, Sgt. Gary Greenberg, who is currently serving his second tour in Iraq, was already in the Marine Corps which helped my decision immensely.”
At 29, Greenberg raised his right hand at the nearest Military Entrance Processing Station and headed to recruit training, October 2004.
He attended the personnel administration school at Camp Johnson, N.C., where he learned correspondence, terminology and the basic structure of how the administrative side of the Marine Corps operates.
Upon graduation, he moved to Camp Lejeune, which is his current and only duty station thus far.
“My shop and I handle the pay entitlements for over 10,000 Marines within (2nd) MLG,” Greenberg added. “I love my job. I never thought I would be in the situation that I am in now and am very proud of what my brother and I do.”
Transitioning from a communist state, to Detroit and finally to the Marine Corps, Greenberg has received his share of journeys and has no intention of slowing down.
“The Marine Corps has given me an opportunity to experience life in another light,” Greenberg said. “America accepted us when they didn’t have to. I believe I am doing the right thing by contributing to my country what it has given to me and my family.”
Now why can't the left understand this?
"Born in the communist Russian city of Kiev,"
Doh! Kiev is in Ukraine! Always has!
The Duranty effect is amazing after all these years.
How can a military reporter not know that more Ukrainians died fighting the Russians in the 20's and 30's than all combat deaths in WWI!
Congratulations and a thanks to this young man. Good post!
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