thedrifter
05-22-03, 06:43 AM
May 21, 2003
Memorial Day homecoming slated for 24th MEU
Associated Press
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. The first major Marine ground unit to return from Iraq is scheduled to land Memorial Day and will be followed in June by an even larger force, Camp Lejeune officials said Tuesday.
The 2,300-person 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which experienced intense combat, will come ashore Monday from three ships. Part of the force will land at Morehead City, N.C., and others will come across Onslow Beach at the base.
It is the first complete, major contingent to be back, said MEU spokesman Gunnery Sgt. Mike Dougherty.
The MEU already had been deployed seven months, a month longer than usual, when it received orders to steam to Kuwait and prepare for the invasion of Iraq. The Marines were driving their vehicles into Iraq a day after landing, but none of its members were killed or seriously wounded.
By the time the MEU returns, it will have been deployed nine months, Dougherty said.
It has carried with it a World Trade Center memorial flag presented by the New York and New Jersey Port Authority police.
Navy Secretary Hansford Johnson is scheduled to greet the Marines when they land.
Before its duty in Iraq, the MEU was deployed in Kosovo, Kenya and Djibouti.
Next month, an even larger unit is due back at Lejeune. The 7,000-person Task Force Tarawa, comprised of Marines and sailors that left the base aboard seven ships in January, is due back around June 22.
The unit also was involved in intense fighting, with 27 Marines listed as killed in action from combat and accidents during Operation Iraqi Freedom, said Marine Corps spokesman Maj. Michael Neumann. The corps listed 75 killed in action from all bases.
In addition to the task force, also called the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, small groups of the 7,000-members of the 2nd Force Service Support Group have been returning on flights to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The unit provides various supply functions to ground forces.
About 250 Marines from another unit the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment were scheduled to return to Camp Lejeune on Tuesday night.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.
Sempers,
Roger
Memorial Day homecoming slated for 24th MEU
Associated Press
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. The first major Marine ground unit to return from Iraq is scheduled to land Memorial Day and will be followed in June by an even larger force, Camp Lejeune officials said Tuesday.
The 2,300-person 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which experienced intense combat, will come ashore Monday from three ships. Part of the force will land at Morehead City, N.C., and others will come across Onslow Beach at the base.
It is the first complete, major contingent to be back, said MEU spokesman Gunnery Sgt. Mike Dougherty.
The MEU already had been deployed seven months, a month longer than usual, when it received orders to steam to Kuwait and prepare for the invasion of Iraq. The Marines were driving their vehicles into Iraq a day after landing, but none of its members were killed or seriously wounded.
By the time the MEU returns, it will have been deployed nine months, Dougherty said.
It has carried with it a World Trade Center memorial flag presented by the New York and New Jersey Port Authority police.
Navy Secretary Hansford Johnson is scheduled to greet the Marines when they land.
Before its duty in Iraq, the MEU was deployed in Kosovo, Kenya and Djibouti.
Next month, an even larger unit is due back at Lejeune. The 7,000-person Task Force Tarawa, comprised of Marines and sailors that left the base aboard seven ships in January, is due back around June 22.
The unit also was involved in intense fighting, with 27 Marines listed as killed in action from combat and accidents during Operation Iraqi Freedom, said Marine Corps spokesman Maj. Michael Neumann. The corps listed 75 killed in action from all bases.
In addition to the task force, also called the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, small groups of the 7,000-members of the 2nd Force Service Support Group have been returning on flights to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The unit provides various supply functions to ground forces.
About 250 Marines from another unit the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment were scheduled to return to Camp Lejeune on Tuesday night.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press.
Sempers,
Roger