thedrifter
03-07-06, 01:54 PM
March 13, 2006
Marine News briefs
Boyington honored
Washington’s state Senate passed a resolution to honor Col. Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, a World War II pilot and Medal of Honor recipient, weeks after the University of Washington student senate shot down a measure to honor the Marine, a UW alumnus.
The student senate triggered a firestorm after rejecting by one vote a resolution to create a campus memorial for Boyington.
According to minutes detailing the students’ debate of the issue, Ashley Miller said the university had enough monuments to “rich white men,” and Jill Edwards questioned whether a Marine was the type of person the school wanted to produce.
Miller said later her comments were made as part of a general discussion of memorials on campus, not about Boyington specifically. Edwards said she did not mean to offend anyone, but was trying to start a discussion.
State Senate resolution 8728 can be viewed online at www.leg.wa.gov.
Bronze star goes to family
On Feb. 27, a fallen Marine’s company commander presented the Bronze Star with combat-distinguishing device to his family.
Capt. Christopher Bronzi, the assistant operations officer for 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, presented the medal for Pfc. Deryk L. Hallal, an Indianapolis Marine killed in Iraq, at a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse.
Hallal was a rifleman with Golf Company, 2/4, when he was killed by enemy fire on April 6, 2004, his award citation said.
According to the citation, Hallal was his squad’s point man as insurgents launched a major offensive. Though Hallal was caught in the open under intense fire, “he unhesitatingly returned accurate fire, immediately eliminating three insurgents.”
While fighting, Hallal received a gunshot wound that rendered him unable to move, the citation said. Hallal continued to fire on the enemy as Marines attempted to move him to a covered position.
Until receiving a fatal wound, he encouraged his squad mates and engaged the enemy, which “undoubtedly saved lives and inspired the Marines to press the attack,” the citation said.
Bronzi presented the medal to Hallal’s parents, Pamela and Jeff Hallal, who were at the statehouse with their 9-year-old son, Jared.
As part of the ceremony, the Indiana House unanimously passed legislation that would create a fund to help the families of Indiana reservists called to active duty after the 2001 terrorist attacks.
An unexpected reunion
A leatherneck with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit serving with Joint Task Force Balikatan in Leyte, Philippines, reunited with a Filipino relative who saw him on television, a Feb. 23 Marine Corps news release said.
Sgt. Kim Miller, with the MEU’s Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, had returned to his ship after searching for survivors of the Feb. 17 landslide when he received an unexpected call.
According to the release, Miller, 23, who was born in Angeles City, Philippines, got a call saying his grandfather had seen him on television and was looking for him.
“My grandfather died when I was in Iraq in March 2003, so I was confused at first about the call,” Miller said. He soon found “it was my grandfather’s little brother, the man who helped raise me.”
Atilano Susaya, Miller’s great-uncle, traveled almost seven hours to see him.
“As soon as I recognized him on the television, I left immediately,” said Susaya, who is in his 70s.
Miller, who immigrated to the U.S. when he was 17, knew that his mother’s family was from Leyte but never expected to reunite with the person he credits with making him who he is today.
Remembering the fallen
A memorial service was held at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., on Feb. 28 for eight Marines and two airmen killed when two helicopters collided off the coast of Djibouti.
The helicopters, both CH-53E Super Stallions, crashed during a training flight Feb. 17 in the Gulf of Aden. The service members were part of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.
The eight leathernecks were with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464.
Who is your hero?
Marine Corps Times is looking for heroes. Not the type who make headlines for combat exploits, but rather the quiet, everyday heroes whose dedication, professionalism and concern for their fellow Marines and community set a standard for us all.
Through April 7, we are accepting nominations for the Marine Corps Times’ Marine of the Year. The only way someone can be nominated is by our readers.
To nominate someone, send us:
• Your name, address, commercial phone number and e-mail address.
• The name, address and commercial phone number of your nominee and his/her unit commander.
• An explanation in 300 words or less of why your nominee deserves this award.
• Names and contact information for three people who can verify the nominee’s achievements that took place in 2005.
You can submit nominations in one of four ways:
• Online at www.marinecorpstimes.com/marine.
• By e-mail at marine@marinecorpstimes.com.
• By fax to Marine Corps Times Marine of the Year Award at (703) 642-7325.
• By mail to Marine Corps Times Marine of the Year Award, 6883 Commercial Drive, Springfield, VA 22159.
Corrections
• An article in the March 6 issue, “In the clear,” misspelled the name of the Recruit Training Regiment’s former commanding officer at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. His name is Col. Kevin Kelley.
• A story in the Lifelines section of the Feb. 6 issue, “Tax tips for service members,” listed an incorrect Web site address. The correct address is /mypay.dfas.mil.
Ellie
Marine News briefs
Boyington honored
Washington’s state Senate passed a resolution to honor Col. Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, a World War II pilot and Medal of Honor recipient, weeks after the University of Washington student senate shot down a measure to honor the Marine, a UW alumnus.
The student senate triggered a firestorm after rejecting by one vote a resolution to create a campus memorial for Boyington.
According to minutes detailing the students’ debate of the issue, Ashley Miller said the university had enough monuments to “rich white men,” and Jill Edwards questioned whether a Marine was the type of person the school wanted to produce.
Miller said later her comments were made as part of a general discussion of memorials on campus, not about Boyington specifically. Edwards said she did not mean to offend anyone, but was trying to start a discussion.
State Senate resolution 8728 can be viewed online at www.leg.wa.gov.
Bronze star goes to family
On Feb. 27, a fallen Marine’s company commander presented the Bronze Star with combat-distinguishing device to his family.
Capt. Christopher Bronzi, the assistant operations officer for 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, presented the medal for Pfc. Deryk L. Hallal, an Indianapolis Marine killed in Iraq, at a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse.
Hallal was a rifleman with Golf Company, 2/4, when he was killed by enemy fire on April 6, 2004, his award citation said.
According to the citation, Hallal was his squad’s point man as insurgents launched a major offensive. Though Hallal was caught in the open under intense fire, “he unhesitatingly returned accurate fire, immediately eliminating three insurgents.”
While fighting, Hallal received a gunshot wound that rendered him unable to move, the citation said. Hallal continued to fire on the enemy as Marines attempted to move him to a covered position.
Until receiving a fatal wound, he encouraged his squad mates and engaged the enemy, which “undoubtedly saved lives and inspired the Marines to press the attack,” the citation said.
Bronzi presented the medal to Hallal’s parents, Pamela and Jeff Hallal, who were at the statehouse with their 9-year-old son, Jared.
As part of the ceremony, the Indiana House unanimously passed legislation that would create a fund to help the families of Indiana reservists called to active duty after the 2001 terrorist attacks.
An unexpected reunion
A leatherneck with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit serving with Joint Task Force Balikatan in Leyte, Philippines, reunited with a Filipino relative who saw him on television, a Feb. 23 Marine Corps news release said.
Sgt. Kim Miller, with the MEU’s Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, had returned to his ship after searching for survivors of the Feb. 17 landslide when he received an unexpected call.
According to the release, Miller, 23, who was born in Angeles City, Philippines, got a call saying his grandfather had seen him on television and was looking for him.
“My grandfather died when I was in Iraq in March 2003, so I was confused at first about the call,” Miller said. He soon found “it was my grandfather’s little brother, the man who helped raise me.”
Atilano Susaya, Miller’s great-uncle, traveled almost seven hours to see him.
“As soon as I recognized him on the television, I left immediately,” said Susaya, who is in his 70s.
Miller, who immigrated to the U.S. when he was 17, knew that his mother’s family was from Leyte but never expected to reunite with the person he credits with making him who he is today.
Remembering the fallen
A memorial service was held at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., on Feb. 28 for eight Marines and two airmen killed when two helicopters collided off the coast of Djibouti.
The helicopters, both CH-53E Super Stallions, crashed during a training flight Feb. 17 in the Gulf of Aden. The service members were part of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.
The eight leathernecks were with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464.
Who is your hero?
Marine Corps Times is looking for heroes. Not the type who make headlines for combat exploits, but rather the quiet, everyday heroes whose dedication, professionalism and concern for their fellow Marines and community set a standard for us all.
Through April 7, we are accepting nominations for the Marine Corps Times’ Marine of the Year. The only way someone can be nominated is by our readers.
To nominate someone, send us:
• Your name, address, commercial phone number and e-mail address.
• The name, address and commercial phone number of your nominee and his/her unit commander.
• An explanation in 300 words or less of why your nominee deserves this award.
• Names and contact information for three people who can verify the nominee’s achievements that took place in 2005.
You can submit nominations in one of four ways:
• Online at www.marinecorpstimes.com/marine.
• By e-mail at marine@marinecorpstimes.com.
• By fax to Marine Corps Times Marine of the Year Award at (703) 642-7325.
• By mail to Marine Corps Times Marine of the Year Award, 6883 Commercial Drive, Springfield, VA 22159.
Corrections
• An article in the March 6 issue, “In the clear,” misspelled the name of the Recruit Training Regiment’s former commanding officer at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. His name is Col. Kevin Kelley.
• A story in the Lifelines section of the Feb. 6 issue, “Tax tips for service members,” listed an incorrect Web site address. The correct address is /mypay.dfas.mil.
Ellie