thedrifter
08-01-09, 11:05 AM
Marine war veteran has new mission
By TERRY BROWN, Special to the Times Union
Click byline for more stories by writer.
First published: Saturday, August 1, 2009
After serving in two wars, a Marine began a new primary mission -- making his family his first priority.
That mission began July 24 when Gunnery Sgt. Nicasio Rios Jr. of Guilderland officially retired from the Marine Corps after returning home from the Iraq war.
Rios was honored at his retirement testimony held by the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Colonie.
He received more than a pocketful of certificates and letters of appreciation for his service to his country.
Sergeant Maj. Joseph Gaines presented a shadow box to Rios that contains a gunnery sergeant insignia and the awards and decorations, including two Navy Marine Commendation Medals, four Navy Marine Achievement Medals and a good Conduct Medal, he earned during military career.
Just before he deployed to Iraq, he sent his wife, Dianna, a mission statement of sorts: "It's difficult to know that I am getting ready to go to Iraq, but I will be back with you to spend the rest of my life. Upon my return, I will be retired and more than ready to start a new chapter in our lives.''
"Second to only life and health, you are the greatest gift God gave to me. Your love for me is a treasure that I cherish with the daughters you have given me," he adds.
Their daughters are Nicaya, Jenna and Amanda.
Rios began his career in the Marines while a junior in high school in Banquete, Texas, in 1988 when he enlisted in a Marine delayed entry program.
He said he thought he wanted to serve God as a priest or his country as a Marine. He even visited a seminary but quickly realized he couldn't afford to enroll. After he talked with Marine recruiters, he enlisted.
Shortly after he deployed to Okinawa in July 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and Rios and his unit, the 2nd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, went to help expel the Iraqis.
Last year, he deployed as a supply and logistics chief with 1,100 other members of the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment to the Iraq war.
Rios led eight other Marines as they oversaw supply and service operations at Al-Asad Air Base west of Baghdad and a forward supply base near the Syrian border.
Rios said he and his personnel worked 12 hours seven days a week "to make sure our Marines had the supplies and equipment necessary for them to accomplish their missions that included combat patrols and operations. We had to keep their vehicles combat ready and provide our Marines with chow, ammunition, radios, boots, uniforms and other items."
The Marines included the Marine Reserve Fox Company, which included about 125 men and women from Capital Region communities.
When on duty in the states, Rios served as logistics department manager at the unit's Garden City, Long Island, headquarters before retirement. He supervised 13 people and three satellite offices in a three-state area.
Besides his primary family mission, he now has a secondary mission -- find a job.
Advances in rank
Steven Rowe of Clifton Park, was promoted to lieutenant colonel while serving with the New York Army National Guard's Joint Forces Headquarters.
Adam Kemp of Menands, of 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation; Brandon Reynolds of Catskill, a member of the Combat Aviation Brigade of the 42nd Infantry Division, and Ronald Shepard of Esperance, of 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation, were promoted to first lieutenant.
Scott Gauthier of Fort Edward, a member of 1427th Transportation (Medium Truck) Company; and Erich Schmidt of Niverville, a member of Joint Forces Headquarters, and Crystal Wilson of Latham, Joint Forces Headquarters soldier, were promoted to staff sergeant.
Other promoted soldiers are:
Sergeant: Kenneth Jones of Schaghticoke, 1156th Engineer Company, and Melissa Scheuer of Ballston Spa, 466th Medical Company.
Specialist: Jorge Alvarez of Altamont, 501st Ordnance Battalion; Brian Fisk of Lake Luzerne, 1427th Transportation Company; Ansel Francis of Schenectady, 427th Brigade Support Battalion; Donald Ingoldsby of Schenectady, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation; Victoria Marbot of Hoosick Falls, 1427th Transportation Company; Thomas Rinaldi of Troy, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, and Vincent Trexler of Mechanicville, 1427th Transportation Company.
News of your soldiers and units can be sent to Duty Calls, Terry Brown, Times Union, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212 or by e-mail at brownt@timesunion.com.
Ellie
By TERRY BROWN, Special to the Times Union
Click byline for more stories by writer.
First published: Saturday, August 1, 2009
After serving in two wars, a Marine began a new primary mission -- making his family his first priority.
That mission began July 24 when Gunnery Sgt. Nicasio Rios Jr. of Guilderland officially retired from the Marine Corps after returning home from the Iraq war.
Rios was honored at his retirement testimony held by the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Colonie.
He received more than a pocketful of certificates and letters of appreciation for his service to his country.
Sergeant Maj. Joseph Gaines presented a shadow box to Rios that contains a gunnery sergeant insignia and the awards and decorations, including two Navy Marine Commendation Medals, four Navy Marine Achievement Medals and a good Conduct Medal, he earned during military career.
Just before he deployed to Iraq, he sent his wife, Dianna, a mission statement of sorts: "It's difficult to know that I am getting ready to go to Iraq, but I will be back with you to spend the rest of my life. Upon my return, I will be retired and more than ready to start a new chapter in our lives.''
"Second to only life and health, you are the greatest gift God gave to me. Your love for me is a treasure that I cherish with the daughters you have given me," he adds.
Their daughters are Nicaya, Jenna and Amanda.
Rios began his career in the Marines while a junior in high school in Banquete, Texas, in 1988 when he enlisted in a Marine delayed entry program.
He said he thought he wanted to serve God as a priest or his country as a Marine. He even visited a seminary but quickly realized he couldn't afford to enroll. After he talked with Marine recruiters, he enlisted.
Shortly after he deployed to Okinawa in July 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and Rios and his unit, the 2nd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, went to help expel the Iraqis.
Last year, he deployed as a supply and logistics chief with 1,100 other members of the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment to the Iraq war.
Rios led eight other Marines as they oversaw supply and service operations at Al-Asad Air Base west of Baghdad and a forward supply base near the Syrian border.
Rios said he and his personnel worked 12 hours seven days a week "to make sure our Marines had the supplies and equipment necessary for them to accomplish their missions that included combat patrols and operations. We had to keep their vehicles combat ready and provide our Marines with chow, ammunition, radios, boots, uniforms and other items."
The Marines included the Marine Reserve Fox Company, which included about 125 men and women from Capital Region communities.
When on duty in the states, Rios served as logistics department manager at the unit's Garden City, Long Island, headquarters before retirement. He supervised 13 people and three satellite offices in a three-state area.
Besides his primary family mission, he now has a secondary mission -- find a job.
Advances in rank
Steven Rowe of Clifton Park, was promoted to lieutenant colonel while serving with the New York Army National Guard's Joint Forces Headquarters.
Adam Kemp of Menands, of 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation; Brandon Reynolds of Catskill, a member of the Combat Aviation Brigade of the 42nd Infantry Division, and Ronald Shepard of Esperance, of 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation, were promoted to first lieutenant.
Scott Gauthier of Fort Edward, a member of 1427th Transportation (Medium Truck) Company; and Erich Schmidt of Niverville, a member of Joint Forces Headquarters, and Crystal Wilson of Latham, Joint Forces Headquarters soldier, were promoted to staff sergeant.
Other promoted soldiers are:
Sergeant: Kenneth Jones of Schaghticoke, 1156th Engineer Company, and Melissa Scheuer of Ballston Spa, 466th Medical Company.
Specialist: Jorge Alvarez of Altamont, 501st Ordnance Battalion; Brian Fisk of Lake Luzerne, 1427th Transportation Company; Ansel Francis of Schenectady, 427th Brigade Support Battalion; Donald Ingoldsby of Schenectady, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation; Victoria Marbot of Hoosick Falls, 1427th Transportation Company; Thomas Rinaldi of Troy, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, and Vincent Trexler of Mechanicville, 1427th Transportation Company.
News of your soldiers and units can be sent to Duty Calls, Terry Brown, Times Union, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212 or by e-mail at brownt@timesunion.com.
Ellie