thedrifter
02-01-07, 10:43 AM
Marines young and old celebrate 1st Marine Division's anniversary
By: ALEXANDRA DeLUCA - For the North County Times
CAMP PENDLETON ---- A little rain didn't dampen the spirits of dozens of Marine veterans who came out to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton on Wednesday morning.
View A Video
Hundreds of former and retired Marines from across the country are in town this week to commemorate the creation of the 1st Marine Division ---- the oldest, largest and most decorated division in the Marine Corps ---- 66 years ago today on Feb. 1, 1941.
All week long, members of the 1st Marine Division Association are taking part in a series of activities at Marine Corps bases throughout the county, including a visit to Miramar Marine Corps Air Station on Tuesday, a dinner ceremony on Camp Pendleton this evening and an observation of a graduation at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego on Friday.
Wednesday morning, more than 200 1st Marine Division Association members came to Camp Pendleton to tour a display of the weaponry, vehicles and gear currently in use by the 1st Marine Division. Active-duty Marines from each of the division's regiments and battalions had their equipment out on display, from Howitzer cannons to amphibious tractors, sniper rifles to remote-controlled robots.
As they inspected the equipment, the veterans, many of whom wore jackets and baseball caps emblazoned with the blue diamond insignia of the 1st Marine Division, greeted one another with handshakes and hugs.
Former Marine Sgt. Elmer Hawkins, 83, of Winter Park, Fla., said he looks forward to attending 1st Marine Division Association events such as the annual anniversary celebration because he enjoys the camaraderie.
"If you're a Marine, you're a Marine; there's no two ways about it," said Hawkins.
Hawkins, who served with the 1st Marine Division during World War II and took part in the historic battles of Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester and Peleliu, said he was impressed with the display.
"I'm just taking it all in," said Hawkins.
Hawkins said he found it interesting that there is "not a big difference" between the equipment used by today's Marines and the equipment he used as a young Marine in the 1940s, such as the standard-issue .45-caliber pistol.
Nearby, a young Marine in green fatigues helped a veteran up into the gunner's seat of a camouflage-painted vehicle as another Marine started it up, allowing the veteran to manipulate the gun.
"They have a great time playing with the turret," said 2nd Lt. Damon Doykos, 23, who was on hand to answer questions about the vehicle. "They just love spinning it around."Ý
Doykos said he likes talking to the veterans.
"It's crazy because we all have a connection," said Doykos.
Oceanside resident and retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Marty Vasquez, 80, said he also enjoys talking to the young Marines about their shared experiences.
"They're doing the same thing I did 60 years ago," said Vasquez, who said it "seems like yesterday" that he graduated from boot camp.
Vasquez, the president of the Southern California Chapter of the 1st Marine Division Association, served in every Marine division except the 6th Marine Division during his 30 years in the Marine Corps. A veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, Vasquez said he is proud of today's Marine Corps.
"I admire what all these young Marines are doing," said Vasquez. "They're following the legacy we left behind."
Vasquez and Hawkins said they will continue celebrating the 1st Marine Division's anniversary as long as they are able to do so.
"We are a proud group," said Hawkins. "Marines are proud, and those of us in the 1st Division are more proud."
Ellie
By: ALEXANDRA DeLUCA - For the North County Times
CAMP PENDLETON ---- A little rain didn't dampen the spirits of dozens of Marine veterans who came out to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton on Wednesday morning.
View A Video
Hundreds of former and retired Marines from across the country are in town this week to commemorate the creation of the 1st Marine Division ---- the oldest, largest and most decorated division in the Marine Corps ---- 66 years ago today on Feb. 1, 1941.
All week long, members of the 1st Marine Division Association are taking part in a series of activities at Marine Corps bases throughout the county, including a visit to Miramar Marine Corps Air Station on Tuesday, a dinner ceremony on Camp Pendleton this evening and an observation of a graduation at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego on Friday.
Wednesday morning, more than 200 1st Marine Division Association members came to Camp Pendleton to tour a display of the weaponry, vehicles and gear currently in use by the 1st Marine Division. Active-duty Marines from each of the division's regiments and battalions had their equipment out on display, from Howitzer cannons to amphibious tractors, sniper rifles to remote-controlled robots.
As they inspected the equipment, the veterans, many of whom wore jackets and baseball caps emblazoned with the blue diamond insignia of the 1st Marine Division, greeted one another with handshakes and hugs.
Former Marine Sgt. Elmer Hawkins, 83, of Winter Park, Fla., said he looks forward to attending 1st Marine Division Association events such as the annual anniversary celebration because he enjoys the camaraderie.
"If you're a Marine, you're a Marine; there's no two ways about it," said Hawkins.
Hawkins, who served with the 1st Marine Division during World War II and took part in the historic battles of Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester and Peleliu, said he was impressed with the display.
"I'm just taking it all in," said Hawkins.
Hawkins said he found it interesting that there is "not a big difference" between the equipment used by today's Marines and the equipment he used as a young Marine in the 1940s, such as the standard-issue .45-caliber pistol.
Nearby, a young Marine in green fatigues helped a veteran up into the gunner's seat of a camouflage-painted vehicle as another Marine started it up, allowing the veteran to manipulate the gun.
"They have a great time playing with the turret," said 2nd Lt. Damon Doykos, 23, who was on hand to answer questions about the vehicle. "They just love spinning it around."Ý
Doykos said he likes talking to the veterans.
"It's crazy because we all have a connection," said Doykos.
Oceanside resident and retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Marty Vasquez, 80, said he also enjoys talking to the young Marines about their shared experiences.
"They're doing the same thing I did 60 years ago," said Vasquez, who said it "seems like yesterday" that he graduated from boot camp.
Vasquez, the president of the Southern California Chapter of the 1st Marine Division Association, served in every Marine division except the 6th Marine Division during his 30 years in the Marine Corps. A veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, Vasquez said he is proud of today's Marine Corps.
"I admire what all these young Marines are doing," said Vasquez. "They're following the legacy we left behind."
Vasquez and Hawkins said they will continue celebrating the 1st Marine Division's anniversary as long as they are able to do so.
"We are a proud group," said Hawkins. "Marines are proud, and those of us in the 1st Division are more proud."
Ellie