thedrifter
09-06-03, 08:23 AM
Commandant respects past, honors future on Iwo Jima
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2003942836
Story by Cpl. Benjamin M. George
IWO JIMA(September 1, 2003) -- General Michael W. Hagee, 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps, re-enlisted four Marines and presented Navy Achievement Medals to four Marines and two Navy Corpsmen atop Mount Suribachi during his visit to Iwo Jima Monday.
The Marines and Corpsmen are part of 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, a reserve battalion comprised of reserve units based throughout the northeastern United States.
Throughout the day, Hagee toured the island, along with Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, 15th Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps, and Lt. Gen. Robert R. Blackman, commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and guests.
General Hagee met the Marines from 1/25 for the first time atop Mount Suribachi. Following the ceremony, Hagee addressed the Marines on their role in today's Marine Corps.
"There is no difference in performance (between active and reserve units), and Marines are the only ones in the world who can do that," said Gen. Hagee, as he addressed the Marines.
The ceremony highlighted General Hagee's first trip to Iwo Jima and held special meaning, considering 1st Battalion, 25th Marines took part in the battle for Iwo Jima in World War II.
"This is a special place in Marine Corps history, and a special place for 25th Marines," Gen. Hagee said.
The Marines from 1/25 are currently stationed on Okinawa as part of the unit deployment program. It was the first time to Iwo Jima for most of them as well.
"It is a very surreal feeling being here," said Sgt. Kenneth J. Seney, motor vehicle operator and New Bedford, Mass., native. "Looking down from Mount Suribachi to see what our Marines had to go through to win this battle was an awesome feeling. It's the greatest feeling in the world to see this."
The Marines arrived on Iwo Jima Sunday afternoon and spent the day touring some of the more historical sites throughout the island. Most of the Marines were awestruck throughout the day, seeing for the first time in person the obstacles their brethren had to face when storming the beaches in World War II.
General Hagee encouraged the Marines to continue to be aware of their heritage, especially the battle for Iwo Jima.
"This was one of the main battles that helped shape our Corps," explained Gen. Hagee. "No one in the world does it better (than Marines), and in February 1945, no one did it better than those Marines who you now represent."
The Marines returned to Okinawa Monday and will be on island as part of the Unit Deployment Program until December.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20039421517/$file/CMC01.gif
General Michael W. Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps, bottles sand from the beaches of Iwo Jima during his visit Monday. General Hagee toured the island and took part in a re-enlistment and awards ceremony for Marines and Navy Corpsmen from 1st Battalion, 25th Marine regiment on the top of Mount Suribachi.
Photo by: Cpl. Benjamin M. George
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20039422159/$file/CMC02.gif
General Michael W. Hagee, 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps, presents Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Kern, corpsman, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, with a Navy Achievment Medal during an awards ceremony atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima.
Photo by: Cpl. Benjamin M. George
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2003942836
Story by Cpl. Benjamin M. George
IWO JIMA(September 1, 2003) -- General Michael W. Hagee, 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps, re-enlisted four Marines and presented Navy Achievement Medals to four Marines and two Navy Corpsmen atop Mount Suribachi during his visit to Iwo Jima Monday.
The Marines and Corpsmen are part of 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, a reserve battalion comprised of reserve units based throughout the northeastern United States.
Throughout the day, Hagee toured the island, along with Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, 15th Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps, and Lt. Gen. Robert R. Blackman, commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and guests.
General Hagee met the Marines from 1/25 for the first time atop Mount Suribachi. Following the ceremony, Hagee addressed the Marines on their role in today's Marine Corps.
"There is no difference in performance (between active and reserve units), and Marines are the only ones in the world who can do that," said Gen. Hagee, as he addressed the Marines.
The ceremony highlighted General Hagee's first trip to Iwo Jima and held special meaning, considering 1st Battalion, 25th Marines took part in the battle for Iwo Jima in World War II.
"This is a special place in Marine Corps history, and a special place for 25th Marines," Gen. Hagee said.
The Marines from 1/25 are currently stationed on Okinawa as part of the unit deployment program. It was the first time to Iwo Jima for most of them as well.
"It is a very surreal feeling being here," said Sgt. Kenneth J. Seney, motor vehicle operator and New Bedford, Mass., native. "Looking down from Mount Suribachi to see what our Marines had to go through to win this battle was an awesome feeling. It's the greatest feeling in the world to see this."
The Marines arrived on Iwo Jima Sunday afternoon and spent the day touring some of the more historical sites throughout the island. Most of the Marines were awestruck throughout the day, seeing for the first time in person the obstacles their brethren had to face when storming the beaches in World War II.
General Hagee encouraged the Marines to continue to be aware of their heritage, especially the battle for Iwo Jima.
"This was one of the main battles that helped shape our Corps," explained Gen. Hagee. "No one in the world does it better (than Marines), and in February 1945, no one did it better than those Marines who you now represent."
The Marines returned to Okinawa Monday and will be on island as part of the Unit Deployment Program until December.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20039421517/$file/CMC01.gif
General Michael W. Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps, bottles sand from the beaches of Iwo Jima during his visit Monday. General Hagee toured the island and took part in a re-enlistment and awards ceremony for Marines and Navy Corpsmen from 1st Battalion, 25th Marine regiment on the top of Mount Suribachi.
Photo by: Cpl. Benjamin M. George
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20039422159/$file/CMC02.gif
General Michael W. Hagee, 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps, presents Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Kern, corpsman, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, with a Navy Achievment Medal during an awards ceremony atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima.
Photo by: Cpl. Benjamin M. George
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: