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thedrifter
01-27-06, 05:42 PM
Home on the range- 8th Marine Corps District re-established
8th Marine Corps District
Story by Cpl. C. Alex Herron

FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 27, 2006) -- Five months after being displaced from New Orleans by a hurricane, the Marines and civilians of the 8th Marine Corps District finally received the command “Hoist the colors,” formally re-establishing the headquarters in Fort Worth.

The district personnel evacuated New Orleans on August 27, 2005 just before Hurricane Katrina made landfall and thrashed the Gulf Coast.

“I’m most thankful for the divine providence that let the 8th Marine Corps District families get out of Katrina’s wake and allow everyone to arrive in the Dallas/Fort Worth safely,” said 8MCD commanding officer, Col. Carl Huenefeld, addressing a mixed crowd of military and civilian dignitaries the re-establishment ceremony held January 27.

Since the evacuation, the unit has been operational, working out of a Dallas hotel and local recruiting stations. Plans to move the unit to the Dallas/Fort Worth area were slated for 2007, but hastened with the one-two punch of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In further remarks, Huenefeld expressed appreciation to everyone from the Commandant of the Marine Corps to the staff at the Western Recruiting Region for allowing and assisting their move to the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

“From the hotel that took care of our families, made pets welcome - especially those first few critical weeks-to the federal, state and local community who provided relief to our people when they needed it,” said Huenefeld

The re-establishment ceremony, which included morning colors, a ribbon cutting, a tour of the facility, marks the first time the unit has operated under one roof since the hurricane.

“It’s been a long time coming (for 8MCD),” said Sharon Browne, a representative with the Dallas/Fort Worth Marine Corps families, a support group for Marine Corps families in the area. “From what I can tell, this is the most logical place for the District to be.”

Throughout the entire moving evolution, the District Marines have accomplished the mission and through their work, have shown what sets Marines apart, said Brig. Gen. John M. Paxton Jr., Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Western Recruiting Region.

“You have evidence of demonstrating what Marines do in every clime and place, despite the adversity and circumstance,” said Paxton. “You press on and make mission happen. This (new headquarters) gives you the opportunity to continue what you’ve done for so long which is setting the bar higher and keep the pace faster.”

Paxton went on to explain that the district has had a long had the reputation of leading the way in supplying quality and quantity and making the recruiting mission happen. He also lauded the teamwork and focus on the extended Marine family welfare.

“We owe a thank you to all those leaders in the 8MCD who kept the family together, kept the teamwork and the spirit there,” Paxton said. “They took an adverse set of circumstances and turned it into a great success. You weathered the storm. I salute you for your great efforts, making it happen by working long and hard”

Ellie