thedrifter
05-21-07, 07:18 AM
Marine Battalion Comes Home, Lost 12 Members In Iraq
By The Associated Press
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) - About 300 Marines have returned home from 9 months in Iraq's Anbar province, where a commander says 12 lives were lost as the Marines dealt with violence from insurgents in the city of Ramadi.
Discuss This Story
The Marines who returned Saturday were members of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune.
Battalion executive officer Maj. Daniel Zappa said his troops helped clean out insurgents in a violent area, but a dozen of his troops died in combat.
"Before our arrival, Ramadi was lost and the Anbar Province was very violent," Zappa said. "Not a lot of progress had been made, and we had the opportunity to make a difference."
The battalion was scheduled to be gone seven months, but the deployment was extended by the Bush administration. Zappa said the extension was difficult for the Marines and their families, but gave the troops additional time to achieve its goals.
Kathleen Matheny greeted fiance Lance Cpl. Brandon Smith and planned a feast of his favorite foods. Smith will have to celebrate his birthday and get ready for a wedding next month.
"It's been hard, but everyone adapts and we learn to overcome it," said Matheny 19, of Columbia, S.C. "This makes us closer as a couple even though we've been far apart, if that makes any sense."
Staff Sgt. John McClure got a beer from his wife, Melissa, after he found her in the crowd of family members.
"I'm ready to put on different colored clothes and take a shower that's more than 45 seconds," said McClure, 30.
Ellie
By The Associated Press
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) - About 300 Marines have returned home from 9 months in Iraq's Anbar province, where a commander says 12 lives were lost as the Marines dealt with violence from insurgents in the city of Ramadi.
Discuss This Story
The Marines who returned Saturday were members of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune.
Battalion executive officer Maj. Daniel Zappa said his troops helped clean out insurgents in a violent area, but a dozen of his troops died in combat.
"Before our arrival, Ramadi was lost and the Anbar Province was very violent," Zappa said. "Not a lot of progress had been made, and we had the opportunity to make a difference."
The battalion was scheduled to be gone seven months, but the deployment was extended by the Bush administration. Zappa said the extension was difficult for the Marines and their families, but gave the troops additional time to achieve its goals.
Kathleen Matheny greeted fiance Lance Cpl. Brandon Smith and planned a feast of his favorite foods. Smith will have to celebrate his birthday and get ready for a wedding next month.
"It's been hard, but everyone adapts and we learn to overcome it," said Matheny 19, of Columbia, S.C. "This makes us closer as a couple even though we've been far apart, if that makes any sense."
Staff Sgt. John McClure got a beer from his wife, Melissa, after he found her in the crowd of family members.
"I'm ready to put on different colored clothes and take a shower that's more than 45 seconds," said McClure, 30.
Ellie