Thousands of San Diego-based sailors and Marines are serving aboard U.S. warships deployed in the Persian Gulf and the Western Pacific. NBC 7/39 has contacted all of the deployed ships and most have responded,
Click here for a listing of all Navy ships and their mailing addresses
Let's get our thinking caps on and give our wonderful guyzs and gals something neither they nor us will forget!
Utmost FReegards...MUD
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Today in Anchorage, Alaska:
Sunrise 9:56am
Sunset 4:23pm
Hi 25F
Lo 17F
A good deal of sun
Actual yesterday in Anchorage:
Hi 20F
Lo 13F
State Hi 45F Port Alsworth
State Lo -31F Fort Yukon
Reserve Units On The Move
Submitted by: Marine Forces Reserve
Story Identification Number: 200311317173
Story by Cpl. Ryan J. Skaggs
MARINE FORCES RESERVE, New Orleans(January 13, 2003) -- Brig. Gen. John J. McCarthy, commanding general, 4th Marine Division, visited three division units mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to speak with the Marines and their families, Jan. 10-11.
"There is no time more important than right now, while emotions are high, to speak with the Marines and their families before they leave," said McCarthy. "Speaking with the Marines and offering words of confidence is critical at this time, as well as providing their families with reassurance that we are there for them, to help them, and to put to ease their minds while they think about where their sons or husbands may be going and what they are doing."
Company A, 8th Tank Battalion, Fort Knox, Ky., and Company C, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, San Antonio, are deploying as part of a larger force repositioning in Southwest Asia for possible future operations. Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, Grand Rapids, Mich., will deploy to the Horn of Africa to join the mission to deny safe haven for any terrorist groups operating in the region.
Other units deploying in support of operations in Southwest Asia are: Detachment A, 4th Civil Affairs Group, Anacostia; Detachment, Headquarters and Service Company, 8th Tank Battalion, 4th MarDiv, Rochester, N.Y.; Detachment, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th MarDiv, Camp Pendleton.
Other units mobilized in support of the mission in the Horn of Africa are: Military Police Detachment, Headquarters, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Belle Chasse, La.; Detachment A, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Company, 4th Force Service Support Group, Marietta, Ga.; Headquarters Detachment, 4th FSSG, New Orleans; Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th MarDiv, Perrysburg, Ohio; Tube Launched, Optically Tracked, Wire Guided (TOW) Weapon System Weapons Section, Weapons Company, 1st Bn., 24th Marines, 4th MarDiv, Broken Arrow, Okla.; and Detachment A, Headquarters and Service Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th FSSG.
These Marines have orders for one year but could be on active duty for up to two years under the current partial mobilization authorized by President Bush.
Wednesday, January 15, 2003 Last modified at 12:26 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 © 2003 - The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Elementary principal among Marines called up for active duty
By BRIAN WILLIAMS
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
The atmosphere at Crestview Elementary's gym Tuesday afternoon rivaled a political convention.
But amid the flag-waving and patriotic songs, one figure stood out — principal Doug Smith.
Make that, U.S. Marine Sgt. Doug Smith.
Crestview staff and students gave a festive send-off to Smith, a Marine reservist, who was recently called up to active duty and who left Tuesday.
Dressed in his crisp Marine uniform, Smith, Crestview principal for a year, addressed students and staff in the cramped gym and greeted students, staff, teachers and other well-wishers individually outside just after red, white and blue balloons were released.
How long will he be gone?
"However long it takes to get the job done," he replied.
Marine reservists came into Lubbock this week to prepare for deployment that coincides with the American military buildup in the Gulf region for a possible war with Iraq.
Smith told the Old Glory-waving students amassed in the gym that one reason he is serving the United States is because of them and to protect their ability to live and learn in freedom.
"The strength of any nation is in its individual citizens," Smith said. "Not matter what bravado a government shows, its strength comes from its citizens."
In addition to the 600 students and Crestview staff and teachers, Smith will be away from his wife and three young children.
However, although he will be distant from his family, he said he wants to serve to protect others with families.
Amid boisterous chants of "Mr. Smith" and "U-S-A" from the students, Terry Kinard, Frenship director of human resources, noticed some tears among some of the adults.
The tears, he said, should be of pride. He told students that their principal's duty should be remembered as they learn about American ideals in their history and government classes.
"This should not be a sad time," Kinard said. "Today is not a sad day. Today is really a special and proud day."
A U.S. Marine flag will fly on the school's flagpole until Smith returns, and Smith was given a Frenship flag "so that everybody on the other side of the world knows that you don't mess with the Frenship Tigers," Kinard said.
Kinard said one other district employee was called up for duty. Smith's responsibilities will be absorbed by teachers and a counselor who have principal certifications, he said.
Lubbock and Lubbock-Cooper school district didn't report any reservists among their ranks who were called up.
bwilliams@lubbockonline.com 766-8719
There are two kinds of dogs in the world -- those that have a ball and those that don't and wish they did. Is it just us or is Scooter grinning at little Sophia's distress during their walk on Nob Hill, San Francisco?
