7-mile run motivates H&SBn.

[thedrifter]

7-mile run motivates H&SBn.
Submitted by: MCRD Parris Island
Story Identification #: 200469124233
Story by Pfc. Pfc. Paul W. Hirseman III



MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C.(June 11, 2004) -- Marines from H&SBn. participated in the 3rd Annual H&SBn. Motivational Run Friday, to boost morale and camaraderie. Marines who participated in the run enjoyed a Warriors Breakfast at the H&SBn. Mess Hall afterwards.

Although the run was much longer than normal battalion physical fitness events, motivation still ran high.

"These events are always a great way to spend some time with my Marines," said Col. George S. Amland, commanding officer, H&SBn. "I don't often get a chance to do something with them, so I always take the opportunity."
Battalion events are often the only way for some officers to interact with younger enlisted Marines, said Lt. Col. Cynthia J. Valentin, executive officer, H&SBn.

Marines who participated in the run said they noticed an atmosphere of fun and friendliness during the event.

"I had a great time out there," said Lance Cpl. Chris Seward, military justice clerk, Depot Law Center. "It's just really motivating to see everybody out there together."

While the distance of the run made it difficult, it was the challenge and the satisfaction of completing the journey that drove the participants all the way to the end, said Capt. Bradley W. Anderson, commanding officer, Headquarters Co., who boasted that there were no drops from Headquarters Co.

Marines participating in this event had to prepare both physically and mentally. Over the course of the winter and spring, three-, four-, and five-mile battalion runs had been held in order to physically prepare the Marines for this event.

To prevent dehydration, the runners slowed down several times for water. Also, the runners ran through an outdoor shower approximately half way through the course to alleviate some of the discomfort from the long run.

Water allowed the Marines' bodies to handle the long distance, but positive energy made the difference in performance.

To make sure motivation remained high during the run, the Parris Island Marine Band
played music throughout the course including "Eye of the Tiger," "Chariots of Fire," and "Ants Marching." As the runners ran down the final stretch, it was the Marines' Hymn that brought them home.

"It was great to see the runners getting into the music," said Sgt. Justin W. Schmidt, trumpet player in the Parris Island Marine Band. "They were doing the whole 'Rocky run-and-punch' thing. It's awesome to see that sort of reaction."

After the sweat-and-water-soaked runners arrived at the H&SBn. physical training field, Amland gave a short speech congratulating the Marines of H&SBn. for their accomplishment.

"It was my privilege to share this trying experience with all of you," said Amland. "You all proved your determination and strength this morning."

The Marines who participated in the run met together in the H&SBn. Mess Hall to enjoy a special Warriors' Breakfast of steak, eggs, muffins, cereal and other breakfast items. The Marines who were exhausted only a few minutes before, were laughing and talking together.

"It's simply a fun time," said Michael J. Molinsky, Combat Visual Information Center photographer. "It might hurt while you're doing it, but once you're all done, it's a great feeling."

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200469124944/$file/run(L).jpg

Marines from H&SBn. completed their 3rd annual seven-mile run Friday.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. B.K. Jones

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/A5242FFEA5224FEE85256EAE005BC987?opendocument


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Relay for Life - Marine Style
Submitted by: 1st Marine Corps District
Story Identification #: 2004681399
Story by Staff Sgt. Chris D. Hale



Portsmouth, N.H. (June 5, 2004 ) -- Marines from Recruiting Station Portsmouth participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Greater Manchester. But, like just about everything Marines do, they didn’t do it the “normal” way.

The Relay, which began in 1985 in Tacoma, WA, is typically conducted by a team of walkers or runners, each taking turns on a track for a period of 24 hours. In 1985 it was just one man, Dr. Gordy Klatt, who walked and ran 83 miles around the track, raising money and awareness for the American Cancer Society. The following year, more than 200 people had joined his cause and the Relay for Life was officially born.

Today, the Relay for life of the Greater Manchester area is just one of more than 3,800 that take place in communities across the nation and around the world.

For the nine Marines of RS Portsmouth who participated in the Relay, June 4th started like every other day. They put their uniforms on and worked a full day. At the end of the day, about 5 p.m., some of them went home for an hour or so, some kept on working. But at 7 p.m., they all stepped off from Portsmouth, beginning what would turn out to be a 14-hour, 43-mile hike that would eventually join the rest of the Relay in Manchester.

Along busy highways and through bustling downtowns, down dark country roads and over too many hills, the Marines carried their own guidon as well as the banner for the American Cancer Society, gathering honks and cheers and waves and thank-yous all along the way.

When the Marine team finally arrived at the track in Livingston Park in Manchester the following morning, they were greeted by hundreds of cheering people who had been at the track all night doing the “normal” Relay.

“When we marched that last three miles with a police escort through Manchester, we all thought we were going to die,” said Maj. T. Shane Tomko, RS Portsmouth commanding officer. “But when we walked up to the stadium and were greeted by all of the people and cancer survivors, I thought I was going to cry. They cheered so much, that even though we all were in incredible pain, we had no other choice but to run a victory lap around the track to show these people "their Corps." Hordes of people thanked us for our contribution. We were kind of awestruck, in that we didn't want the thanks, we just wanted to show these people that we cared about them.”

Some Marines would say that recruiting is the most important job in the Corps. Recruiters work long, hard hours, often as much as 90 hours a week, looking for the best that America has to offer and beginning the process that will transform them into a Marine. Tomko said that when he first proposed the idea of the 43-mile hike to his Marines he did it because “I wanted to remind my Marines what sacrifice is all about, and that recruiting is only one part of being a Marine. The Manchester area has been a huge proponent of the Marine Corps and I wanted them to give something back to the community. Without the support of our citizens there would be no Marine Corps, this was just one way we could say thank you to them.”

So why the long hike instead of a team circling a track one at a time? “Because Marines always think outside the box,” said Capt. Gregory Battaglia, RS Portsmouth executive officer. “It was a challenge, and that’s what Marines live for … it was a real gut-check.” He also echoed Tomko in that it is vitally important to give back to the community and mirror their support for the Marine Corps.

Tomko said, “We are a very physical organization and I wanted to illustrate to the public just how tough we truly are, and give something back to the community at the same time. We are your neighbors, your friends and valued members of society. We are really no different than anyone else, except for one key element, and that element is that Marines are traditionally selfless.”

Staff Sgt. Joseph D. Crust, a recruiter in Waltham, Mass., was part of the Marine team because his mother-in-law died six months ago from cancer and having seen what cancer can do to a person, wanted to be part of the cure.

Staff Sgt. James E. Davis, also a recruiter from Waltham, said the hike was an excellent way to show that Marines go above and beyond. He lost his grandfather to cancer and said this was an excellent way for himself and the Marine Corps to show their dedication to a worthy cause. Still wincing with pain from blisters on his feet he responded to the question of whether or not he would do it again next year with a resounding “Hell yeah!”

Marines don’t do things like everyone else. It was the Germans during WWI who first nicknamed the Marines Devil Dogs for their relentlessness and ferocity in battle. These Devil Dogs worked a full day, walked all night, and then went back to work on Saturday. Above and beyond, outside the box or just plain crazy, they wanted to be just as ferocious in the battle against cancer, and this was their way of saying “thank you” to their community.



http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004681405/$file/night.lo.jpg

By midnight and mile 15, Marines are still feeling strong. Their 43-mile course lasted from 7 p.m. on June 4, to 8:30 a.m. on the 5th. Photo by: Sgt Jared Hansen

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/5C14757B012B43BE85256EAD005E38EF?opendocument


Ellie

[thedrifter]

Marines Run Nearly 200 Miles For Local Charity
Submitted by: 1st Marine Corps District
Story Identification #: 20046984735
Story by Staff Sgt. J. L. Wright Jr.



RECRUITING STATION HARRISBURG, Pa.(May 13, 2004) -- “Most Marines run three days a week … not three days straight!”

These are words from Sgt. David Watson, supply clerk, Recruiting Station Harrisburg, Pa., after spending 72 hours running the ‘Pennsylvania Traverse 2.’

The Pennsylvania Traverse 2 is an event where 10 Marines, split in to five teams, two Marines on each and attempt to run a relay of 229 miles of the Appalachian Trail in 72 hours. The Marines started the run at the New Jersey/Pennsylvania border on May 13, and finished at the Pennsylvania/Maryland border three days later.

The goal of the event was to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey, Pa.

“Fundraisers such as the PA Traverse allows the Ronald McDonald House to offer the comfort of home and temporary housing to over 1000 families each year,” said Kathy Denton, executive director, Ronald McDonald House.

This is the second year Marines have run the trail for charity. Last year, according to Capt. Troy M. Pugh, executive officer, RS Harrisburg, Pa., the event benefited a young boy with cancer.

“This year we initially wanted to run for a different child but we decided that it would be far too difficult to select only one,” added Pugh. “Focusing our efforts on fundraising for the Ronald McDonald House gave us the chance to benefit many children throughout our local communities.”

“It's not often that we get the chance to help someone out,” said Sgt. Mathew Conway, administrative clerk, RS Harrisburg, Pa. “This was more than me just cutting a check to a local charity. I actually got to go out and do something to raise the money to support those in need.”

The Marines produced flyers and passed them out during their free time in order to raise the donations. The donations came from many local businesses, Pennsylvania natives and the Marines’ family members.

"When I told my 7 year-old why daddy was going to be gone for three days, he said he felt bad for those families that needed help … and he donated two dollars,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Campbell Jr., supply chief, RS Harrisburg, Pa.

At the end of the 72 hours, the team of Marines logged a combined total of 199.1 miles and raised more than $1800.

"We were getting all types of support before the event and while we were out there," said Watson. "When we were waiting our turn to run, we even ran into a former Marine who played the Marines Hymn for us on his bagpipes.”

The event was an overall success, according to Pugh. “The only thing that could be viewed as less than positive is the fact that we had to take an administrative time out due to dangerous weather conditions,” he said. “This did nothing to damper the spirit of the team and once the weather broke we were back on the trail!”

Denton said on a personal level that it’s spirit like this, why she holds the Marines in such high regard.

“After working with [the Marines] on this wonderful event, my respect and admiration has only been deepened,” she concluded. “Thank you!”

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20046985042/$file/finish2.lo.jpg

The team of runners proudly stand in front of the Pen Mar County Park sign which marks the conclusion of the PA Traverse 2. Ten Marines from Recruiting Station Harrisburg split into five teams and ran the PA Traverse 2 in an effort to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. At the end of the 72 hours, the team logged a combined total of 199.1 miles and raised more than $1800. Photo by: Staff Sgt. J.L. Wright

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/6E9B72EB4533255685256EAE0046469A?opendocument


Ellie

[cjwright90]

OohRah PA Marines!