thedrifter
02-07-06, 07:15 AM
Deputy Commandant, son share bond in Iraq
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story by:Cpl. James D. Hamel
AL ASAD, Iraq(Feb. 7, 2006) -- Visits from the Marine Corps’ commandant and sergeant major can be career highlights for any Marine, but Lance Cpl. Nicholas M. Gardner anticipated the Feb. 3 visit to Al Asad, Iraq, more than his comrades.
He knew that when the Corps’ senior leaders came to visit Marines and sailors deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his father, the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, would be joining them.
“I consider it a privilege to be here,” said Lt. Gen. Emerson N. Gardner. “I’m thrilled to see not just my son, but also the Marines and Sailors and what they’re doing.”
Lt. Gen. Gardner joined the commandant and sergeant major as they visited various units at Al Asad and enjoyed a meal with the Marines. He saw his son when the group traveled to the Al Asad flightline and visited Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774, a reserve CH-46 Sea Knight Squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
“Seeing him makes me think of my first years in the Marine Corps,” said Lt. Gen. Gardner. “The best thing about seeing him in his unit is seeing him in his environment. He’s well led and seeing that camaraderie (makes it) clear that they’re happy to have him on that team and he’s happy to be there.”
Nicholas, a native of Norfolk, is a crew chief on the CH-46, the same aircraft his father learned to fly as a lieutenant. The two were planning to fly together, but inclement weather at Al Asad prevented the flight from getting off the ground.
“It’s one of the original war birds,” said Lt. Gen. Gardner. “It’s an enormous source of pride that he’s a crew chief on the same aircraft I learned how to fly 32 years ago.”
Nicholas enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve during September 2005. He said he had grown bored with college and decided to join the Marine Corps. He was given the option of joining the unit close to his home, HMM-774. Because HMM-774 flies CH-46s, he decided to join them.
“My dad’s career influenced me a little bit,” he said. “I had grown up around the Marine Corps and always liked the aviation side of it, especially CH-46s.”
The deputy commandant said he never pushed any of his children to follow him into the Marine Corps. He was surprised when Nicholas told him he was going to enlist, but also very proud. Nicholas said he never felt pressure to join, but had always liked being around the Marine Corps.
“I enjoyed it because we got to move a lot,” he said. “I’ve lived in Norway and England, and those are once in a lifetime opportunities. I’ve also made a lot of friends.”
Gunnery Sgt. David Huffman, HMM-774’s flightline noncommissioned officer-in-charge said it’s obvious that joining the Marine Corps was something Nicholas wanted to do. He called Nicholas one of the most motivated young Marines who worked for him.
“He’s constantly learning and absorbing knowledge,” said Huffman. “He’s very respectful and dedicated to his job.”
Lt. Gen. Gardner said he knew his son would eventually deploy to Iraq, but that didn’t make him unsupportive of his decision to enlist. Nicholas said his current focus is on finishing his deployment and then completing his college degree. After that, he’s considering many options, including becoming an officer.
“He’s very supportive of what I’m doing,” said Nicholas. “He supported me 100 percent in joining the Marine Corps, but he wants to make sure I’m focused on finishing school.”
Whatever he does, he’ll always have the memory of meeting his father in a combat zone.
“This was great because down the road I’ll be able to say I went to war and my dad was there with me,” he said. “That’s exciting and definitely a good memory to have.”
The senior Gardner said he’s always happy to visit Marines fighting the war. He said it inspires him to return to Washington, D.C., and do whatever he can to make the war more successful.
“It’s good for me to see these Marines doing what they do, and it motivates me,” he said. “It’s just icing on the cake for me to see my son, too.”
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story by:Cpl. James D. Hamel
AL ASAD, Iraq(Feb. 7, 2006) -- Visits from the Marine Corps’ commandant and sergeant major can be career highlights for any Marine, but Lance Cpl. Nicholas M. Gardner anticipated the Feb. 3 visit to Al Asad, Iraq, more than his comrades.
He knew that when the Corps’ senior leaders came to visit Marines and sailors deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his father, the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, would be joining them.
“I consider it a privilege to be here,” said Lt. Gen. Emerson N. Gardner. “I’m thrilled to see not just my son, but also the Marines and Sailors and what they’re doing.”
Lt. Gen. Gardner joined the commandant and sergeant major as they visited various units at Al Asad and enjoyed a meal with the Marines. He saw his son when the group traveled to the Al Asad flightline and visited Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774, a reserve CH-46 Sea Knight Squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
“Seeing him makes me think of my first years in the Marine Corps,” said Lt. Gen. Gardner. “The best thing about seeing him in his unit is seeing him in his environment. He’s well led and seeing that camaraderie (makes it) clear that they’re happy to have him on that team and he’s happy to be there.”
Nicholas, a native of Norfolk, is a crew chief on the CH-46, the same aircraft his father learned to fly as a lieutenant. The two were planning to fly together, but inclement weather at Al Asad prevented the flight from getting off the ground.
“It’s one of the original war birds,” said Lt. Gen. Gardner. “It’s an enormous source of pride that he’s a crew chief on the same aircraft I learned how to fly 32 years ago.”
Nicholas enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve during September 2005. He said he had grown bored with college and decided to join the Marine Corps. He was given the option of joining the unit close to his home, HMM-774. Because HMM-774 flies CH-46s, he decided to join them.
“My dad’s career influenced me a little bit,” he said. “I had grown up around the Marine Corps and always liked the aviation side of it, especially CH-46s.”
The deputy commandant said he never pushed any of his children to follow him into the Marine Corps. He was surprised when Nicholas told him he was going to enlist, but also very proud. Nicholas said he never felt pressure to join, but had always liked being around the Marine Corps.
“I enjoyed it because we got to move a lot,” he said. “I’ve lived in Norway and England, and those are once in a lifetime opportunities. I’ve also made a lot of friends.”
Gunnery Sgt. David Huffman, HMM-774’s flightline noncommissioned officer-in-charge said it’s obvious that joining the Marine Corps was something Nicholas wanted to do. He called Nicholas one of the most motivated young Marines who worked for him.
“He’s constantly learning and absorbing knowledge,” said Huffman. “He’s very respectful and dedicated to his job.”
Lt. Gen. Gardner said he knew his son would eventually deploy to Iraq, but that didn’t make him unsupportive of his decision to enlist. Nicholas said his current focus is on finishing his deployment and then completing his college degree. After that, he’s considering many options, including becoming an officer.
“He’s very supportive of what I’m doing,” said Nicholas. “He supported me 100 percent in joining the Marine Corps, but he wants to make sure I’m focused on finishing school.”
Whatever he does, he’ll always have the memory of meeting his father in a combat zone.
“This was great because down the road I’ll be able to say I went to war and my dad was there with me,” he said. “That’s exciting and definitely a good memory to have.”
The senior Gardner said he’s always happy to visit Marines fighting the war. He said it inspires him to return to Washington, D.C., and do whatever he can to make the war more successful.
“It’s good for me to see these Marines doing what they do, and it motivates me,” he said. “It’s just icing on the cake for me to see my son, too.”