Posted on 10/22/2009 5:32:54 PM PDT by Saije
With 15 miles (25km) of pristine, undeveloped beachfront property in southern California, it is difficult to imagine wanting to live anywhere else.
But for many of the marines at Camp Pendleton, one place beckons above all others.
"Afghanistan," says Lance Cpl Alejandra Esqueda, when asked where she would like to be deployed next.
"I actually look forward to it. I'm hopefully going to Afghanistan to finish what we got to do there… I've already been to Iraq. Afghanistan is the new place to be."
Thirst for action
Lance Cpl Esqueda is one of hundreds of marines on the beach preparing for a mass training exercise dubbed "Pacific Horizon".
As the troops set up tents and fill sandbags in the hills above the Pacific Ocean and the traffic-clogged Highway 5, many echoed Lance Cpl Esqueda's view, saying they wouldn't be marines if they didn't want to be in the middle of the action.
Southern California's rugged hills and rough, craggy landscape give a flavour of the landlocked country where some of these men and women could soon fight.
Morale among the marines seems high. But then, marines on active duty rarely complain publicly - especially to journalists with marine press officers in tow.
They all politely declined to discuss the political debate about troop levels, but they did overwhelmingly voice their desire to fight in Afghanistan.
"Seeing that I've been to Iraq already, I'd like to go to Afghanistan and see what that's about and get some experience there," said Cpl Daniel Lashmudt, barely out of breath after leading about two dozen marines on an energetic workout as military helicopters circled above.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
The sun rises in the east.
Birds migrate south.
Marines storm beaches.
The moon is full.
Navy presses shirts.
Just some of those things of nature that happen.
"I joined the infantry and tried to make it over there and don't really get the opportunity so it's frustrating. I've tried to get over there. I've volunteered…But nothing's worked out yet."
These are warriors, not pawns.
Hope the marines enjoy the view at Trail 6!
This article is from the BBC in England. They are
letting their folks there know about CAmp Pendleton and the Marines.
I am sitting around 35 miles south of Camp Pendleton
here in San Diego. Have several relatives bases there.
“This article is from the BBC in England. They are
letting their folks there know about CAmp Pendleton and the Marines.”
I think the reporter just wanted to spend some time at the beach.
The British should realize that “Marine” and “Marines” have a capital “m,” not a small “m.”
Semper Fi bump...
Shhh that's been a secret spot since 1918...and c-rat hunting when I was a wee lad.
Trained killers, where else would they want to go..
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