| Symbol of Marine Corps Resolve |
 A Marine Corps flag stands watch as a silent sentinel of the recent destruction at the Pentagon. |
Posted on 09/30/2001 9:35:38 AM PDT by Walkin Man
Marine Message to Osama: Bring It On
Leathernecks gird for action
By RICHARD SISK Daily News Washington Bureau
A reinforced battalion of Marines aboard Navy warships steaming east and possibly into harm's way has a defiant motto aimed directly at the nation's enemies: "Bring it on.""Everyone is just a little more stoked," Gunnery Sgt. Bert Boatright said in a Marine news report from the helicopter assault carrier Bataan.
Boatright said his leathernecks had trained "like a football team running our routes." "Now it's the night of the game," he said. "And the varsity is taking the field. We're ready."
The Bataan is part of a three-ship Amphibious Ready Group sailing with the carrier Theodore Roosevelt and its battle group, which left Norfolk, Va., Sept. 19 with the sounds of "New York, New York" blaring from the ships' loudspeakers.
They originally were scheduled for routine deployment in the Mediterranean, but their mission and destination are now secret.
Part of Growing Force
The ships are major elements in the massive buildup of U.S. air, sea and land forces in the region ordered by President Bush since the Sept. 11 suicide attacks, which he has blamed on Osama Bin Laden's terror network.
The Roosevelt and its 70 combat aircraft could be ordered to join two carriers already on patrol in the Persian Gulf area and Arabian Sea.
Land-based fighter and attack jets, including B-52 bombers with wing racks laden with cruise missiles, also have been flying to the area on an "air bridge" of tanker refueling aircraft.
They will join more than 200 fixed-wing warplanes stationed at bases in the Gulf states and Turkey.
To carry the fight directly to Bin Laden, special operations units from all the services have been deployed and are on high alert at bases worldwide.
In a message to his sailors' families, Navy Capt. Martin Allard, skipper of the Bataan, warned them not to count on going to Europe to meet the ships at port calls, because "this is not a normal peacetime deployment." "Our movements are classified," Allard said. "It is now time to do our jobs."
The 2,200 troops of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is billed as "special operations-capable," are supported by an array of CH-53 Super Stallion and CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters for rapid movement ashore. They also have with them several fixed-wing AV-8B Harrier jump jets.
As part of what the Marines call the nation's "911 Force," Lt. Col. Jerome Lynes, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment, said his troops were ready for any mission.
"Our motto as a battalion landing team is, 'Bring it on,'" said Lynes, of Bridgewater, N.J. "They will show the world our American resolve."
He said that the Marines' focus "hasn't changed since Sept. 11, but we will carry in our hearts our national loss and stand ready to do something about it."
Below decks, Pvt. Dwayne Howard, a cook, said, "I'm a little nervous. After all, I'm human," but "we'll do whatever must be done, regardless of the mission."
Given the possibility that they might see action, the Marines were grateful for their final training on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, where they coordinated their movements with naval gunfire and air support.
Vieques Training Praised
On Vieques, the site of frequent protests against the Navy's presence, "we were truly able to master our craft," said 1st Lt. Troy Hadsall, air support element officer-in-charge.
"My Marines gained immeasurable experience and now exude the quiet confidence that I expect," Hadsall said. "I tell my guys not to be concerned about the unknown," said Sgt. Robert Guzman, a bulk fuel specialist. "Most of them are 18 and 19 years old, and I'm on my second enlistment," Guzman said.
"It's a bit scary sometimes, not knowing what you'll do tomorrow or the next day," he added. "But there comes a time when you remember why you're here and that is to do a job."
Although the Marines and sailors were primed for any mission, "we may do nothing more than scheduled exercises," Boatright said.
"We're ready for anything and just happy to serve our country," he said.
Original Publication Date: 9/30/01 New York Daily News
| Symbol of Marine Corps Resolve |
| A Marine Corps flag stands watch as a silent sentinel of the recent destruction at the Pentagon. |
LET'S ROLL!!
God bless those little ones and their mom. Their daddy is a hero, I hope that knowledge will give them some comfort in the future. They are in the prayers of many.
Leatherneck: The nickname Leatherneck has become a universal moniker for a U.S. Marine. The term originated from the wide and stiff leather neck-piece that was part of the Marine Corps uniform from 1798 until 1872. This leather collar, called The Stock, was roughly four inches high and had two purposes. In combat, it protected the neck and jugular vein from cutlasses slashes. On parade, it kept a Marine's head erect. The term is so widespread that it has become the name of the Marine Corps Association monthly magazine, LEATHERNECK.
Gyrene: Around 1900, members of the U.S. Navy began using Gyrene as a jocular derogatory reference to U.S. Marines. Instead of being insulted, the Marines loved it. The term became common by World War I and has been extensively used since that time.
Jarhead: For roughly 50 years, sailors had little luck in their effort to insult Marines by calling them Gyrenes. So, during World War II sailors began referring to Marines as Jarheads. Presumably the high collar on the Marine Dress Blues uniform made a Marine's head look like it was sticking out of the top of a Mason jar. Marines were not insulted. Instead, they embraced the new moniker as a term of utmost respect.
Devil Dogs: The German Army coined this term of respect for U.S. Marines during World War I. In the summer of 1918 the German Army was driving toward Paris. The French Army was in full retreat. In a desperate effort to save Paris, the newly arrived U.S. Marines were thrown into the breach. In June 1918, in bitter fighting lasting for weeks, Marines repeatedly repulsed the Germans in Belleau Wood. The German drive toward Paris sputtered, fizzled, and died. Then the Marines attacked and swept the Germans back out of Belleau Wood. Paris had been saved. The tide of war had turned. Five months later Germany would be forced to accept an armistice. The battle tenacity and fury of the U.S. Marines had stunned the Germans. In their official reports they called the Marines "teufel hunden," meaning Devil Dogs, the ferocious mountain dogs of Bavarian folklore.
Semper Fi
LadyX, I don't have a picture of a sniper; that's in the CHIEF's domain, but I do have picture of a grunt's weapon that can take 'em out:
I see you have effectively graduated from the old cap pistols...:)))
"SIR, YES, SIR !!"
LOL!
Thanks for the link, CHIEF.
The only thing different in my memory was the Senior Drill Instructor's name!
Could listen to those dulcet tones for hours and never tire of that voice...:)))
Semper Fi
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