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thedrifter
01-01-07, 07:55 AM
THE MILITARY: ANOTHER YEAR OF DEPLOYMENTS, TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY IN IRAQ
January 01,2007

Going and comingat area bases

It’s become almost routine: Deploy. Come home. Train. Go back.

The war on terror has kept Camp Lejeune and New River Air Station Marines and sailors on a continual cycle since the early days of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

And although the Camp Pendleton, Calif.-based I Marine Expeditionary Force took command of American forces in western Iraq in February, 2006 didn’t offer much of a break locally. Just ask troops with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines; 1st Battalion, 6th Marines; 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines; Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 167; and 2nd Intelligence Battalion who are currently in Iraq — and, for some, on second, third and fourth tours. The headquarters element of Regimental Combat Team-2 left on Saturday.

But if the new commandant of the Marine Corps holds any sway, the rotation cycle could change. During a late-November visit to Lejeune, Gen. James Conway said he wanted to give troops more time between deployments, increasing that time from seven to 14 months to allow for more time with family and greater training.

Until then, the pace is expected to pick up drastically when 2nd Marine Division Commanding General Maj. Gen. Walter Gaskin takes over command in western Iraq in 2007.

People rally for Wounded Warriors

Camp Lejeune officially dedicated its Wounded Warriors barracks — named Maxwell Hall in honor of its founder Lt. Col. Tim Maxwell — in late 2005 to bring together recuperating Marines and sailors.

But in 2006, the first-of-its-kind quarters also brought out the best in a community.

The men attached to the II MEF Injured Support Unit became instant celebrities, honored for their service and their sacrifice.

Their stories were told locally and nationally, and donations and gifts poured in.

An electric wheelchair was donated in honor of Cpl. Gary Koehler, who was killed by a roadside bomb. A Craven County fund-raiser brought in more than $40,000 to help 57 wounded travel home for the holidays. Two Marines from the barracks were flown to New York to watch the Buffalo Bills take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Some of the Marines learned to Scuba dive, thanks to the Rotary Club of Jacksonville. Twenty-eight New York firefighters brought care packages. Cingular delivered Sony Playstations. No. 1 NFL draft pick and Richlands native Mario Williams stopped by. So did Glen Wesley of the NHL champion Carolina Hurricanes, who brought the Stanley Cup with him.

The list continues.

A second barracks for wounded Marines opened in August at Camp Pendleton, and funds are being raised for a local Warrior House for the families

But the main thing those recovering in Maxwell Hall want is to return to active duty and to their brothers in arms.

That has always been the goal.

Ellie