T h e C o r p s ’ O f f i c i a l M a g a z i n e w w w . m a r i n e s . m i l • W i n t e r 2 0 0 4

THE MOMENTS THAT DEFINED A YEAR IN THE CORPS

S P E C I A L I S S U E

InRevıew

It’s your life. Make a difference.

www.marines.com

OnPointAL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq – An AH-1W Cobra helicopter cuts through the sky as the sun sets here in the Al Anbar Province.More than 250 flights are coordinated each day in support ofongoing operations of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.Photo by Staff Sgt. Chad McMeen

SemperFidelis

GougeV o l u m e 2 | N u m b e r 3 | w w w . m a r i n e s . m i l

Winter 2OO4

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2OO4InReview

4 |OperationsMarines continued to fight the Global War on Terrorism in 2004.They fought insurgents in Mosul,Fallujah, An Najaf and other Iraqi cities and offered aid to Iraqi citizens. They searched for Osamabin Laden and other al-Qaida and Taliban leaders in Afghanistan.They quelled unrest in Haiti and Liberia. In operations around theworld, Marines fought against tyranny and aided those in need.

14 | DeploymentThe operational tempo of 2004 took Marines to distant lands far from friends and family. During these chaotic and often dangerous deploy-ments, Marines established a little bit of home. They celebrated holidays,set up daily routines and remem-bered loved ones left behind.

ORUZGAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan –Marines thread their way through a narrow villagealley here in their search for weapons caches and anticoalition fighters during Operation Thunder Road June 30.The Marines are with C Company,Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marines,the ground combat element of the 22nd MarineExpeditionary Unit.This was the final major combat operation undertaken by the MEU inAfghanistan.The operation began June 27 and ran through July 10.Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

People | 38The Marine Corps is a conglomeration

of individuals. Each has a story to tell.They come from all walks of life.

Most are American citizens, but not all.They have myriad reasons for joining.

Their common tie is that each chose to make the sacrifices necessary

to claim the title Marine.

48 | LibertyMarines work hard, but when the work

is done it’s time to play. Off-duty, Marinesski, surf and hike. They win marathons and visit amusement parks. Even duringdeployments, Marines take “breaks”for libo. Whether playing baseball inmakeshift stadiums in Iraq or boxing in the desert, Marines this year made every minute count.

Family | 24Life was a little quieter at the bases,

camps and stations with Marines deployed – but families persevered.

Spouses worked, paid bills, took care of kids and missed their Marines.

They cried when Marines left andrejoiced when they returned.

28 | TrainingTraining constantly hones Marines’ skills. Day inand day out Marines train. Marine Corps trainingis gritty and down in the dirt — as rigorous andrealistic as possible. This is what prepares Marinesfor combat. Training is the essential element thatmakes the Corps America’s 911 force. 2004 was no exception, when not engaged in battle or supporting combat, Marines redoubled theirefforts to remain on point and sharp.

T h e C o r p s ’ O f f i c i a l M a g a z i n e

S p e c i a l I s s u e • W i n t e r 2 0 0 4w w w . m a r i n e s . m i l / m a g a z i n e

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael W. Hagee

Sgt. Maj. of the Marine CorpsSgt. Maj. John L. Estrada

M A R I N E C O R P S N E W S

Editor-in-Chief Lt. Col. Greg Reeder

Managing Editor Gunnery Sgt. Glenn Holloway

Editor Staff Sgt. Cindy Fisher

Editor Staff Sgt. David L. Crockett

P U B L I C A T I O N D E S I G N

Bates Creative Group, LLC

Marines (USPS 013-867) is published seven timesannually (quarterly, plus three special editions) bythe Division of Public Affairs, Marine Corps News Branch, HQMC, U.S. Marine Corps (PA)3000 Marine Corps Pentagon, Washington D.C.20350-3000. Periodicals-class postage paid atWashington, D.C., and additional mailing stations.The Secretary of the Navy has determined that thispublication is necessary in the transaction of busi-ness, required by law, of the Department of theNavy. Funds for printing this publication have beenapproved by the Navy Publications and PrintingPolicy Committee. All photos not credited are official USMC photos.

Postmaster: Send change of address to: Marines,Commandant of the Marines Corps, HeadquartersMarine Corps, U.S. Marine Corps (PA), 3000Marine Corps Pentagon, Washington D.C. 20350-3000 or e-mail to mcnews@hqmc.usmc.mil.

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Personal/Civilian Subscriptions: Request yourone-year subscription from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Personal subscriptions can be ordered via the Internet at www.marines.mil/order, or by calling 202/512-1800.

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“You are the ‘Generation of Hope,’ establishing liberty and freedom, not only for America but for Iraq,Afghanistan and the rest of the world. Please accept these gifts as tokens of the hope

and pride we feel regarding each of you. They cannot truly express the gratitude of a nation and pale in comparison to the hope you bring and give through your honor, courage and commitment.

Thank you, Merry Christmas and may God bless you. Semper Fidelis.”— Pavel Ivanov

Father of a Marine, wrote in a letter expressing his support for America’s warrior youth. During the 2004 Christmas season hehelped organize “Operation Stocking Stuffer,” which delivered

more than 700 gift-filled stockings to Marines deployed to Iraq.Gouge

SoundOffNew Generation of MarinesAdd to Corps’ Legacy

E VERY GRADUATE OF MARINE CORPS RECRUIT TRAINING IS INSTILLED

with honor and respect for the Marines who went before. We aretold tales of past glory – of Marines fighting seemingly insurmount-

able odds to take a hill, defeat the enemy, or save lives. These heroes of the past seem larger than life.

This past year has proven that today’s Marines have the same courageand indomitable spirit that propelled Marines like Dan Daly, John Basilone,Mitchell Paige and Smedley Butler to heroism.

Courage and heroism flourished overseas and here at home. Marineslike Cpl. Jason Dunham and Sgt. Rafael Peralta acted selflessly to save fellow Marines. Dunham, a 22-year-old from Scio, N.Y., sacrificed his lifeby throwing his helmet and himself over a grenade to protect his fellowMarines April 14 in Karabilah, Iraq. Peralta, a Mexican-American from San Diego who received his American citizenship after he joined the Corps, pulled a grenade under his body, absorbing the explosion and saving the lives of four other Marines Nov. 14 in Fallujah, Iraq.

Even when not engaged in battle,Marines exemplify what it means to be one of the few. While visiting family

during October in Livingston, Mont., 27-year-old Lance Cpl. AustinStallard put his recently acquired fire fighting skills to good use. He coordinated the rescue of a mother and her son from a house fire thenextinguished the blaze with a garden hose.

These courageous acts represent only a handful of heroic deeds performed by Marines this past year. Throughout 2004, Marines in Iraq,Afghanistan and around the globe put their lives on the line to fight theGlobal War on Terrorism. They defended democracy and protected free-dom in Haiti and other hot spots. And Marines made countless sacrifices,leaving family and friends, working long hours in inhospitable climates,all in service to the Corps and our nation.

Marines also witnessed sorrow. We mourned as the flag-draped coffins of fallen warriors returned home. Our newspapers’ headlines told of Marines engaged in bitter fighting in the streets of Iraqi cities. Wewatched brutal video clips of civilians murdered by insurgents. Some of these Marines came back to us forever changed by combat – bearing

external and internal wounds.This special issue of Marines captures only a glimpse of the

many events of 2004. It is filled with examples of courage and esprit de corps by men and women on the front lines. It tells of the sacrifices and triumphs by Marines and families at home while Marines continue to add new chapters to the lore and tradition that the Corps holds dear.

Semper Fidelis,Marines

FALLUJAH, Iraq – Gunnery Sgt. Ryan P.Shane pulls a fatally wounded Marine to safetywhile under fire during Operation Al Fajr Nov. 9.Shane was severely wounded seconds later byenemy fire. Under suppression fire, a group ran out and rescued Shane and recovered the otherMarine. Shane, with B Company, 1st Battalion,8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, wasrushed out of the city, treated at a hospital and is now recovering from his injuries.Photo by Cpl. Joel A. Chaverri

From the Editor

On the CoverRefueling Over Iraq – A pair of AV-8B

Harriers prepare to refuel from an Air Force KC-10 attached to the

380th Air Expeditionary Wing over Iraq Oct. 3, 2004.

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik GudmundsonDigital Illustration by Roger Selvage,

Bates Creative Group

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OKINAWA, Japan – The “Dragons” of Marine MediumHelicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, celebrate

60,000 flight hours without a Class-A mishap. A Class-A mishap is any incident that results in death or monetary damage

equal to or more than $1 million.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

01:05

2004

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FALLUJAH, Iraq – Pfc. Joseph Temple moves with a tankfrom A Company, 1st Tank Battalion, during a patrol rehearsal

here May 4. Marines repositioned forces outside the city to allowIraqi forces to take over security operations.The Fallujah Brigade’s

1st Battalion, the new Iraqi force, was composed of former elements of the Iraqi army.The Fallujah Brigade was

disbanded in September.Temple, from Henderson, Nev.,is with 3rd Platoon, K Co., 3rd Bn., 4th Marines.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Kevin C. Quihuis Jr.

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FORWARD OPERATING BASEKALSU, Iraq – Kwinto, a 7-year-old Belgian

Malinois military police dog, sits behind his pro-tective gear, which includes a flak jacket, safetygoggles and booties made for canines, Nov. 5.

The dog and his handler, Sgt. Ken Porras, arewith the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Porras,

32, is a North Bergen, N.J., native with theMilitary Police Detachment of MEU Service

Support Group 24.The two search for explosives at vehicle checkpoints, on security

patrols and during weapons cache sweeps.Photo by Lance Cpl. Sarah A. Beavers

AL TAQADDUM, Iraq – Plane captainsSgts. David R. Schradermeier and Jamie D.Shepler and Cpl. John J. Gato escort the RQ-2BPioneer unmanned aerial vehicle down the flightline in preparation for takeoff here June 10.Theywill perform a series of tests before launchingthe aircraft to ensure the flight is problem free.The crew is with Marine Unmanned AerialVehicle Squadron 2, Marine Air Command Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.The Marinesof VMU-2 flew the UAV more than 1,000 hours in the three months prior to June in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew T. Rainey

IWO JIMA, Japan – Nearly 59 years after the battle that played a pivotal role in the Corps’ history, Marines from 7th Platoon, 2nd Fleet

Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company visit theisland to commemorate its anniversary. The trip,which included a climb up Mount Suribachi, was

one of the platoon's last operational events. The unit left Japan Jan. 22 for its homeport of

Yorktown Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, Va.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

01:17

2004

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DEY CHOPAN REGION, Afghanistan – Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters insert Marines from Reconnaissance Platoon, Battalion Landing

Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, into the region during Operation AsburyPark June 4. Various elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

participated in the mission. A sizable force of Afghan Militia Force fightersaccompanied the Marine task force, and midway through the operation a

second force was inserted to set up blocking positions to deny the enemy’spaths of escape. During these battles, close air support played a key role.

Marine attack helicopters and Harrier jets, Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft

and B-1B Lancer strategic bombers joined the fray.Photo by Capt. Jon P. Connolly

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Sgt. Maj. of theMarine Corps John L. Estrada talks with the Marinesand sailors of Combined Joint Task Force-Haiti andMarine Air-Ground Task Force 8 here May 11. Estradaaddressed many of the service members' concerns,including redeployment and operations in Iraq.Both task forces are here to support Operation Secure Tomorrow.The operation began Feb. 29 when multinational forces arrived in Haiti to quell civil unrest throughout the capital, Port-au-Prince.Other objectives of Operation SecureTomorrow included supporting a peaceful and constitutional political process and preparing for the arrival of a follow-on U.N. stabilization force.Photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy S. Edwards

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CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq – Twelve Marines and one sailor woundedin action received the Purple Heart here April 24 from Brig. Gen. Richard S.

Kramlich, commanding general of 1st Force Service Support Group.Most received their wounds during the opening days of Operation VigilantResolve, launched April 4 to bring order to Fallujah. All of the recipients areassigned to Combat Service Support Battalion 1, which provides logisticalsupport to Marines operating in and around Fallujah. Despite the wounds,

all have returned to duty. Before he awarded the medal, Kramlich spoke of the significance of wearing the Purple Heart saying that Americans

“will be reassured that there are people – men and women like you all out there – that are ready to do whatever it takes.”

Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon

SOUTHCENTRAL IRAQ – 1st Lt. Vanessa Engel of the 24th MarineExpeditionary Unit plays pat-a-cake with an Iraqi schoolgirl during a visit toan elementary school here Oct. 16.The visit was part of the MEU’s ongoingback-to-school campaign, which provides local Iraqi school children withwater, stickers, balloons, sports equipment and backpacks full of educationalsupplies. Engel, 27, is a Mount Prospect, Ill., native and adjutant with theheadquarters detachment of MEU Service Support Group 24.Photo by Lance Cpl. Sarah A. Beavers

AL ASAD, Iraq – A CH-53E SuperStallion lifts an F-7 Airguard, the Chineseversion of a Russian MiG-21, from theground here May 14.The heavy-hauler, fromMarine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465,used its dual-point lift system to move thejet to a less-populated location aboard theair base. More information on the F-7Airguard, which weighs more than 11,000pounds, can be found at www.combataircraft.com.The lift demonstrated the air andground crews’ skills of tactical recoveries of aircraft and personnel, missions theyoften perform on the battlefield.Photo by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait – Brigade Service SupportGroup 1 began offloading gear from Maritime

Prepositioning Force ships. The major commandsinvolved in Operation Iraqi Freedom – I Marine

Expeditionary Force, 1st Marine Division, 1st ForceService Support Group and the 3rd Marine

Aircraft Wing – determined the equipment they would need based on the missions

they were expected to perform.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

02:08

2004

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FALLUJAH, Iraq – An IraqiSecurity Force soldier provides security around the corner of a housefor Marines and other Iraqi soldiershere Nov. 10. Iraqi security forces and Marines recently took the firststeps in creating a peaceful and morestable Fallujah by aggressively target-ing anti-Iraqi forces during Operation Al Fajr.The ISF and Marine forcesfought from house to house in thenearly abandoned city, clearing buildings of insurgents and terroristweapons caches as they went.Photo by Lance Cpl. T. J. Kaemmerer

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Cpl. Sherod C. Marks, fromQueens, N.Y., provides security during a cordon and knockoperation with members of the Haitian National Police hereMarch 28.The operation was conducted to investigate a live-fire incident in the area a few nights prior. With about 50 Marines and sailors and four members of the HNP involved,the operation went smoothly.“We obtained some useful information and confis-cated two shotguns and some ammunition,”said Capt. Bill A. Sablan,Weapons Company commander.Photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy S. Edwards

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TARIN KOWT, Afghanistan – Petty Officer 1st Class Stephen Cavin examines

an Afghan village elder during a medical civilaffairs project here May 6. Cavin is a corpsman

with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion,6th Marines, the BLT of the 22nd Marine

Expeditionary Unit. A comprehensive civil affairscampaign undertaken by the MEU, in concertwith the unit's combat operations, sought toengender good will between coalition forces

and the Afghan people and to make tangible,long-lasting differences in their lives.

Photo by Sgt. Matt Preston

CENTRAL AFGHANISTAN – 1st Lt.Thomas Crossen, of Coldwater, Mich.,tells Sgt. Ryan West, of Lafayette, Ind., where toemploy his squad during a firefight with anti-coalition militia here June 2 during OperationAsbury Park. Instead of laying improvisedexplosive devices or taking potshots at passingconvoys, the Taliban and anticoalition militiafactions decided to stand their ground andfight. In doing so, they suffered one of theirsoundest defeats in months. More than 85enemy fighters were confirmed killed and asmany as 40 others estimated killed. A handfulof Marines were wounded by enemy fire, allhave since returned to duty. Both Marines areassigned to C Company, Battalion Landing Team1st Battalion, 6th Marines, the ground combatelement of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

AL QAIM, Iraq –Three Marines provide security while others conduct a

cordon and knock on known terroristsinsurgents houses here Nov. 10.The

Marines, from C Company, 1st Battalion,7th Marines, 31st Marine ExpeditionaryUnit, freed Iraqis being held hostage by

the insurgents and discovered severalweapons caches on the property.

The cordon and knock was the first timethe Marines with the company used helicopters as a means of insertion.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher G. Graham

CLARK AIR BASE, Republic of the Philippines –Exercise Balikatan ’04 begins. More than 125

Marines and sailors with Marine Heavy HelicopterSquadron 362 arrive at Clark Air Base to take part

in the exercise. The Marine Corps and the Air Forcetrained with the armed forces of the Philippines in

this bilateral exercise. About 2,500 U.S. troops and 2,300 Philippine forces participated.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

02:19

2004

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EUPHRATES RIVER, Iraq – A Marine in a watercraft looks for suspicious activities, objects andpeople along the shores of the Euphrates River here Oct. 1. Marines from Small Craft Company patrol

the waterways and shorelines in boats as they travel to checkpoints along the river.The company is partof Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, the BLT of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Zachary R. Frank

FALLUJAH, Iraq – Amphibious assault vehicles resupply B Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, with chow,water and ammunition here Nov. 18.The tracks played a vital role in theMarines’ push through the city by providing troop transport, fire support,medical evacuations and resupply missions.The Marines have been conducting these missions since the initial assault into the city Nov. 8.Photo by Lance Cpl. Will Lathrop

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AL TASH REFUGEE CAMP,Iraq – Marines from the 1st MarineDivision civil affairs team deliverboxes of medical supplies to theKurdish refugees here May 11.Therefugees have little potable water,virtually no sanitation system, noelectricity and limited access to medical equipment. Freedom andPeace Trust of Boston, a non-govern-ment organization, donated thebandages, gloves and medications to the people. During the trip,Marines, sailors and soldiers delivered the assorted medical supplies and two 30,000-gallon water storage units.Photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

WESTERN IRAQ – In a moment of crisis, Marines stand watch as other members

of the convoy tend to one of two Marinesinjured when the seven-ton truck they weredriving overturned en route to Camp Korean

Village in western Iraq.The truck’s central tireinflation system malfunctioned, causing the

thousands of gallons of water it was haulingto shift.The Marine manning the machine

gun was thrown from the turret. Both Marines involved in the accident suffered

only minor injuries.The Marines of Combat Service Support Company 119 are responsible

for delivering food, water, mail and other supplemental items to the remote areas here.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Travis J. Kaemmerer

FALLUJAH, Iraq – An M-1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank fires its cannon into the city during Operation Al Fajr Nov. 15.The tank and other elements of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines,began their assault on the northern edge of the city Nov. 8.The Marines and corpsmen of the battalion are among coalition forces called upon by the interim Iraqi government to clear the city of the insurgents and foreign fighters.Photo by Cpl. Jan Bender

FALLUJAH, Iraq – An amphibious assault vehicle knocks down a wall surrounding a compound here Nov. 20.Two squads

with 3rd Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines,took fire from insurgents in the compound the night before.

In the ensuing few hours, the two squads searched nine houses,uncovering several AK-47s and ammunition caches.

Photo by Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook

WASHINGTON – Department of Defense officialsannounce the final approval of two new medals –

the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary andGlobal War on Terrorism Service medals.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

02:26

2004

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SOUTHCENTRAL AFGHANISTAN – A military policevehicle from MEU Service Support Group 22 plows through ariver during a combat operation here June 29. MSSG-22 is the

combat service support element of the 22nd MarineExpeditionary Unit. As the heads and tails of

convoys, the MPs act as scouts, stopping traffic as necessary and conducting searches

of people and vehicles.The MPs search for weapons, materials for improvised explosive

devices, and terrorist paraphernalia.Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

SOUTHCENTRAL AFGHANISTAN – Marines kickthrough a blocked door during Operation Cadillac Ranch, a cordon and knock operation here May 22.The Marines are with B Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marines,the ground combat element of the 22nd Marine ExpeditionaryUnit.The unit's mission was to locate caches of arms, ammuni-tion, and explosives hidden by Taliban and anticoalition factions operating in the region,and to deny terrorist factions the sanctuaries from which they had long attacked the Afghan government and coalition forces.Photo by Cpl. Jemssy Alvarez

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CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq – Marines gather in an auditoriumhere April 16 to remember Lance Cpl. Levi T. Angell, 20, from

St. Louis, Minn. Angell, a truck driver with Combat ServiceSupport Company 111, was killed in action April 8 while deliveringsupplies in support of Operation Vigilant Resolve. He was the first

Marine from the company to die in combat. “He made you feel likeyou were family,” said friend Lance Cpl. Nolan H. Peterson, 22, atruck driver who grew up near Angell in Barnum, another small

town in northern Minnesota. “That feeling is important becausewe’re all so far away from our own families.”

Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon

MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, Calif. – The Bronze Starwith a V, the nation’s fourth highest award for

bravery, heroism or meritorious service, is awardedto 1st Lt. Joshua R. Bates for his actions as a platoon

commander for Combined Antiarmor Team Red,Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine

Regiment, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The “V” signifies the award resulted from

an act of combat heroism or valor.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

03:05

2004

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CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq –Lance Cpl. Matthew Palacios reads a card sent by Ray and Beth Searsin the Bravo Surgical Company’strauma ward here Dec. 1 .The Sears,from Tilton, N.H, sent cards andcookies to lift the spirits of servicemembers deployed to Iraq. In onecard they wrote, “thanks for protect-ing our freedoms. We’re thinking and praying for all the troops.Takecare and stay strong.” Palacios, 19,is a native of Lorraine, Ohio, and acombat engineer attached to 2ndPlatoon, B Co., 1st Battalion, 8thMarine Regiment. He was woundedduring Operation Al Fajr.Photo by Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq – A sign at the gate here reminds all whoexit the camp’s perimeter of the potential danger of insurgent attacks alongIraq’s highways. As of Aug. 21, three platoons with B Company, 2nd Military

Police Battalion, from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., have escortedmore than 400 convoys with more than 8,000 vehicles across 75,000 miles,

said Capt. Amy R. Ebitz, the company commander.Two other platoons operate out of different bases in the Al Anbar Province.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon\

HAITI – Combined Joint Task Force-Haiti officiallyactivates and Marine Brig. Gen. Ronald S. Coleman

assumes command of the Multinational InterimForce. The task force consists of the air element

of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and French, Canadian and Chilean forces. It is here to help

bring stability to the people of Haiti.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

03:15

2004

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CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq – Marines, sailors and soldiers withRegimental Combat Team 1 enjoy Independence Day in and out of the swimming pool at the Rest and Relaxation Center here July 4.The Fourth of July bash included food, sports, a talent show and a disc jockey.“It's important to celebrate Independence Day, especially in Iraq, to remind everyone why we're here,” said Master Sgt. Albis Delrosario,the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the center. RCT-1 is part of 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force,based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.Photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

ASH SHAFIYAH, Iraq –Lance Cpl. Brandy L. Guerrero,kisses an Iraqi baby waiting to beexamined during a humanitarianassistance operation here Nov. 12.Guerrero is a radio operator withCommunications Detachment,MEU Service Support Group 11,11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.MSSG-11 organized the medical/dental civilian assistance programvisit with help from the soldiers ofDetachment 1, C Company, 451stCivil Affairs Battalion, attached tothe MEU.The Marines, sailors andsoldiers processed 464 Iraqis andprovided medical and dental treat-ment to more than 115. Othersreceived food, water and gifts,including soccer balls, toys,backpacks, school supplies and hygiene items.Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chago Zapata

AL ASAD, Iraq – Sgt. Maj. SteveM. Golder meets Santa Claus and

tells him what he wants for Christmas.Golder is the squadron sergeant

major for Marine Medium HelicopterSquadron 774, Marine Aircraft Group 16,

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Santa visitedthe squadron during a Christmas

party here to deliver presents and lift the Marines' spirits.

Photo by Sgt. Nathan K. LaForte

USS BELLEAU WOOD, SAN DIEGO— Marines from the 11th Marine ExpeditionaryUnit board USS Belleau Wood here March 23.The LHA is the flagship for Expeditionary StrikeGroup 3, comprised of amphibious warships USS Belleau Wood, Denver, and Comstock;destroyers USS Hopper and Preble; cruiser USS Mobile Bay; and fast attack submarine USSCharlotte.This force combines with elements ofthe Camp Pendleton-based 11th MEU to producea national defense asset capable of conductingsustained combat operations and humanitarianassistance from sea or shore. Brig. Gen. Joseph V.Medina took command of ESG-3 in November oflast year, becoming the first Marine officer tocommand an ESG. ESG-3 deployed in June.Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Alex Stanislawski

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AFGHANISTAN – The United States sends 2,000Marines to Afghanistan to reinforce the 12,000

troops already here to intensify the hunt for Osamabin Laden and other al-Qaida and Taliban leaders.

The U.S. military, together with Pakistani forces, ispursuing terrorists in tribal areas on both sides

of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

03:26

2004

MCB CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Cpl. Andy Vaney has blooddrawn at the 13 Area Medical Clinic here July 1. More than 175 IndividualReady Reserve Marines are at Camp Talega training or waiting to replaceMarines killed or wounded in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.TheseMarines voluntarily left their civilian lives for activation and deployment.

Vaney is an infantryman with Mobilization Support Battalion.Photo by Sgt. L.A. Salinas

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MCB CAMP LEJEUNE,N.C. – Sgt. Peter Stewart typesidentification card informationfor Marines preparing to boardan aircraft bound for KuwaitJuly 7. Stewart is an administra-tive clerk with the 24th MarineExpeditionary Unit commandelement.The Marines traveledto Kuwait first for acclimatiza-tion and further training before moving into Iraq.Photo by Lance Cpl. Sarah A. Beavers

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FALLUJAH, Iraq – Marines of A Company, 1stBattalion, 8th Marine Regiment, occupy an abandoned

house in one of the neighborhoods here Nov. 14. During the push into Fallujah as part of Operation Al Fajr, Marines

set up temporary bases in abandoned houses and buildings.For days, these were the only places Marines were able

to unwind and rest from the fighting outside.The Marines also conducted foot patrols from these bases, checking

neighboring houses for weapons caches and documenting those used by the enemy.

Photo by Cpl. Randy Bernard

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – Marines fromScout Sniper Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion,4th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takeadvantage of down time to call friends and family during sustainment training here June 3.The MEU was on its way to support security and stability operations in response to arequest from U.S. Central Command for more forces in Iraq.Photo by Cpl. Matthew S. Richards

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Sgt. Jeremy Garcia reads“The Globe,” the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.,newspaper, while deployed here March 19 for Operation Secure Tomorrow.The Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8thMarine Regiment Marine received the paper and other itemsfrom his wife during their first mail call.The U.S.-led multina-tional interim force of about 3,300 from the United States,France, Chile and Canada started arriving here Feb. 29 to quellcivil unrest throughout the city. Photo by Sgt. Ryan S. Scranton

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq – 1st Force Service Support Group’s medical logistics section

distributes more than $800,000 worth of medicalsupplies to Iraqis in this province. The supplies

include everything from multivitamins for children and arthritis and pain medication

for the elderly, to antidepressants for Iraqis suffering from mental health illnesses. Freedom

and Peace Trust – a charitable organization working with the Marine Corps – purchased the

supplies with funds donated by U.S. corporations and collected by Direct Relief International.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

04:01

2004

WHITE BEACH, Okinawa, Japan – Seaman Woo S. Kimcarries his gear on board USS Essex here Aug. 16. Kim is a corpsman with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 3rd MarineRegiment, the ground combat element for the 31st MarineExpeditionary Unit.The MEU, with 2,000 Marines and sailors, isdeployed to the Middle East in support Operation Iraqi Freedom.The 31st MEU is the Corps’ only permanently forward-deployedMEU and is comprised of a command element based in Okinawa;a ground combat element, BLT 1/3 from Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii;an aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron265 from Okinawa; and a combat service support element, MEUService Support Group 31, also based in Okinawa.Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Lawrence Torres III

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NEW YORK – Lance Cpl.Christopher Edwards and his wifeDanielle share a last moment together before Edwards leaves forthe Middle East.The reserve Marinesof Marine Aerial Refueler TransportSquadron 452 deployed from StewartAir National Guard Base in NewburghAug. 24 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.This is the unit’s thirddeployment. It was activated forOperation Enduring Freedom inJanuary 2002, and deployed toBahrain last year.The unit maintainsand flies KC-130T Hercules aircraft.Photo by Cpl. Beth Zimmerman

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KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait – Civilian contractors install new sidepaneling on a humvee from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit here

July 17.The side paneling is part of the new up-armor being placed onMEU vehicles.The up-armor provides 360 degrees of protection for

Marines in a vehicle by covering the gunner's turret, undercarriage andsides of the vehicle.The MEU was in Kuwait for training and final

preparations before deployment to Iraq.The contractors – from morethan 25 countries – work in two 12-hour shifts, seven days a week,in temperatures up to 120 degrees, to ensure the Marines’ vehicles

are protected. More than 60 humvees and 7-ton trucks from the MEU were fitted with the new armor plates.

Photo by Sgt. Zachary A. Bathon

AL ANBAR PROVINCE – Staff Sgt. Keith A.Taylor cuts the hair of Gunnery Sgt. Ricardo Camposduring a small sandstorm here March 12. BothMarines deployed Feb. 20 in support of OperationIraqi Freedom II with Marine Wing HeadquartersSquadron 3, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.Taylor is a Mira Mesa, Calif., native and Campos hails from Robstown,Texas.Photo by Sgt. J.L. Zimmer III

SAN DIEGO – Lance Cpl.Mario Reyes, of Chicago, says a final goodbye to his family on hiscellular phone Jan. 14 before board-ing the amphibious assault shipUSS Boxer.The Boxer departed on a deployment to the CentralCommand area of responsibility insupport of Operation Iraqi FreedomII.The Boxer will provide amphibiouslift for a portion of the I MarineExpeditionary Force and 3rd MarineAircraft Wing equipment and personnel from Marine Corps BaseCamp Pendleton, Calif., and MarineCorps Air Station Miramar, Calif.Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark J. Rebilas

POLE-E CHARKHI, Afghanistan – Retired Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey, host of the History Channel’s

“Mail Call” series, visits Marines assigned to the Afghanistan National Army Training

Detachment. The 14 Marines of the detachmentdeployed from various Training and Education

Command billets throughout the United States, fivemonths prior. They are assigned as embedded

trainers to the Afghan National Army Quick Reaction Force Commando Battalion.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

04:08

2004

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq – Cpl. Chris A. Perry, an airframe mechanic with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 (Reinforced),

carries a box to the appropriate bin inside the post office here Nov. 27.Perry, a 22-year-old Louisville, Ky., native, volunteered to help sortholiday mail at the post office. 1st Force Service Support Group

delivers food, water, ammunition, fuel, medical supplies, and mail to other Marine forces in Iraq. Dozens of Marines at Camp

Taqaddum volunteered to help the postal clerks sort through theincreased volume of holiday mail. In October, the post office

received nearly two million pounds of mail. In the first threeweeks of November, they received more than two and a half

million pounds. As Christmas approaches, the Marine postal clerks expect even more mail to arrive.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Goodwin

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CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq – Marines with 2nd Battalion, 10th MarineRegiment, an artillery battalion from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.,mass around a cake here Nov. 10 following a ceremony honoring the MarineCorps’ 229th birthday. Marines gathered to celebrate this year’s birthdaywith a cake cutting ceremony, the reading of Gen. John A. Lejeune’s birthdaymessage, and the recognition of the youngest and oldest Marine present.Photo by Lance Cpl. Caleb W. Sparks

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Family

MCB CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan – GunnerySgt. Jake E. Schanz receives hugs and kisses from his children,

Craig and Erika, in front of his office here Nov. 2. Schanz recentlyreturned from a seven-month assignment in Baghdad, Iraq, and

said he was glad to be home. He plans to attend the WarriorTransition program, which offers Marines and sailors information

and guidance to help them transition from the combat zone back to garrison life. Schanz is the network operations chief for

Communications Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler.Official Marine Corps photo

IRAQ – Al-Qaida suspect Abu Musab al-Zarqawi,beheads American contractor Nicholas Berg.

Al-Zarqawi said the execution avenges the abuses ofIraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison by U.S. forces.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

05:11

2004

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CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Cpl. MarquesFarmer gets a taste of being seven months pregnant during“Mom’s Basic Training and Daddy’s Baby Boot Camp” at thePersonal Services Center here June 4. Farmer is a safety advisorfor Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion,3rd Force Service Support Group. Marine Corps CommunityServices offers the parenting preparation classes to help servicemembers and dependents who are feeling the pressures of par-enthood.The program is a comprehensive, daylong class thatoffers its students basic instruction on caring for a newbornchild, said Lt. Cmdr. Joan Poochon, a registered nurse with thePediatric Clinic, U.S. Naval Hospital. Photo by Lance Cpl. Martin R. Harris

HAYMARKET, Va – J.W. Alvey ElementarySchool first-graders assemble here to welcomeMarines from the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle

Corps June 9. More than 700 students participatedin the ceremony.The 80-strong corps of musiciansplayed at the dedication of the new school in the

northern Virginia town.The dedication was one ofmore than 400 events at which the Drum and Bugle

Corps played this year. Designated “The Comman-dant’s Own” – for their special status as musicians

for the Commandant of the Marine Corps – theband travels more than 50,000 miles each year for

events in the United States and overseas.Photo by Lt. Col. Greg Reeder

ARLINGTON, Va. – Lance Cpl. Kevin Rumley,who was wounded by an improvised explosive device in Iraq April 8, talks for a few moments with Brig. Gen.Robert B. Neller in a hallway of the Pentagon July 30.Rumley, from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1stMarine Division, was among 40 service members visitingthe Pentagon for a special guided tour. All were woundedin support of the war on terrorism and are being treatedat Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Rumley, 19, is fromFairfax. Brig. Gen. Neller is the director of OperationsDivision, Plans, Policies and Operations for HeadquartersMarine Corps. Photo by Staff Sgt. Cindy Fisher

MCB CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Every fourmonths, 14 Marines here are chosen for funeral duty. Sevenserve as primaries, seven as alternates. Once a week, theypractice the drill movements used in a funeral.The details ofeach ceremony are dictated by the families’ wishes and thesituation. Part of the ceremony includes presentingAmerican flags to the families. Marines carefully fold a flagand tuck three spent rounds into its folds to symbolize God,country and Corps before presenting the flag to the family.“Most families who request a funeral detail request itbecause that Marine talked a lot about the phrase ’Once aMarine, always a Marine,’” said Staff Sgt. Ramiro M. Olmos,funeral detail staff noncommissioned officer in charge forHeadquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base.“(The ceremony) lets them know the Marine Corps is stand-ing right there with them during a time of great need.”Photo by Lance Cpl. Jeremy L. Gadrow

LOS ANGELES – Ronald Reagan, 93, dies at his home.Reagan, who was president from 1981-1989,

suffered from Alzheimer’s disease since the mid-1990s. He is credited with leading a conserva-

tive revolution and hastening the end of the Cold War.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

06:05

2004

MCB HAWAII – Navy Lt.Aaron Sydney and his wife Courtneykiss upon his return here from a six-month deployment in supportof Operations Iraqi Freedom andEnduring Freedom Dec. 8.The couple’s 8-month-old son Austin is with them. Sydney was deployedwith Patrol Squadron 9, providingsupport to Marines on the ground during the operations.Photo by Cpl. Michelle M. Dickson

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MCB HAWAII – Sgt. James Viator holds tight to his daughter Izabelle, 3, on his return from a seven-month deployment to Iraq in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force operations.Viator is one of 95 Marines and sailors with 3rd Radio Battalion, who returned home Sept. 23. 2nd Radio Bn., based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.,replaced 3rd Radio Bn. in Iraq.Photo by Cpl. Jessica M. Mills

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Training

MCRD PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. – Recruits from D Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, acquire and

engage targets under low light and air-illuminated conditionsat Hue City Range here Oct. 5.The night fire exercise, a

mandatory graduation requirement, takes place on trainingday 50. Recruits fire 60 rounds of ammunition from the

50- and 100-yard lines during the course of fire.Photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Kester

IRAQ – The United States officially hands over sovereignty to the Iraqi interim government

two days early. Paul Bremer, the U.S. administratorof the Coalition Provisional Authority, passes

legal documents to an Iraqi judge during a low-key ceremony in Baghdad.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

06:28

2004

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MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA BELLOWS, Hawaii –Marines from A Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, preparefor their deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit by training in amphibious assault vehicles here April 22. During the exercise, the “Lava Dogs” performed their jobs while the AAVs charged through rough waters. “Being in the AAVs can (be) very claustrophobic because there are no windows inside,” said Sgt. VictorO’Neal, section leader for Combat Assault Company. “The diesel fuel can (be nauseating), and the Marines need to be able to handlethose situations to react and perform the way they need to when arriving on the beach.” During amphibious operations, AAVs, whichweigh 46,314 pounds unloaded, spearhead beach assaults.They carry infantry and supplies, with loads of up to 10,000 pounds,from ship to shore and provide forced entry into amphibious assault areas for the surface assault elements.Photo by Lance Cpl. Michelle M. Dickson

MARINE BARRACKS WASHINTON –Cpl. Bradley Dahlberg, a body bearer with B Companyand Cpl. Eric Jahnke, former member of the Silent DrillPlatoon, demonstrate blocks with weapons of oppor-tunity during the Marine Corps Martial Arts ProgramGreen Belt Instructor Course here Nov. 26.The three-week, 135-hour course upgraded the Marines’ mostimportant weapons system – themselves. MCMAP,which began in the fall of 2000, has five basic levels oftraining denoted by tan, gray, green, brown and blackbelts. Black belts, the most senior belts, are furtherdivided into six degrees. For each degree, a Marineearns a red stripe. Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Kent Flora

MCB CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. –Marines exercise and shake their heads vigorously

to test their M-40A1 field protective masks’ seals atthe Camp Las Flores confidence chamber here Jan.

7.The annual “gas chamber” visit introducesMarines to CS gas.The gas, an irritant to the eyes

and mucous membranes, is used during training tobolster confidence in the masks. Marines who failto properly adjust their masks before entering thechamber learn a hard lesson.The Marines are with

3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st MarineDivision. Elements of the battalion deployed to Iraq

under the command of I Marine ExpeditionaryForce in early March for a seven-month tour.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard Valliere

IRAQ – The United States hands over legal custody of Iraqi former President Saddam Hussein to the new Iraqi interim government. He will physically

remain in U.S. custody until the Iraqi police provide a secure facility. It is expected that he will be

prosecuted on 12 charges, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

06:30

2004

MCAS CHERRY POINT, N.C. – Sgt. Jonathan T. Spauldingmonitors the radar screen to ensure an inbound KC-130J landssafely.The San Antonio native is one of 14 air traffic controllers to graduate Aug. 27 from the three-week terminal instrumentalprocedures course taught by the Transportation Safety Institutehere.The course teaches air traffic controllers how to establish

detailed flight procedures regarding the minimum speed,altitude and angle of approach an aircraft must maintain

to make a safe landing. Offering the course here allows MarineCorps Air Bases East to train more Marines in less time

without paying the travel expenses of sending them to an eight-week course at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Wil Acosta

ALBANIA – The Marines of G Battery return to their bivouac site after conducting a live fire exercise here in March.The battery, an artillery unit, isattached to Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marine Regiment, and is theground combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (SpecialOperations Capable).The MEU was in Albania for an amphibious landing exercise March 8-12 practicing day and night live fire exercises, patrols,and convoy operations. The unit deployed from Camp Lejeune, N.C., in mid-February as part of Expeditionary Strike Group 2.Photo by Cpl. Jemssy Alvarez

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CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, Okinawa, Japan –Lance Cpl. Benjamin C. Foged and Cpl. Justin L. Clevenger stand

back to back providing front and rear security during basic room entry and clearing training at the combat town here April 8.

They are part of the Provost Marshal’s Special Reaction Team,Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp

Butler. SRT is the Marine Corps’ version of SWAT, said Staff Sgt.Steven Rowe the team’s commander. Military policemen select-

ed for the team attend SRT School at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.The two-week course focuses on tactics, marksmanship and

special threat situations, like responding to terrorist incidents.Photo by Cpl. Ryan Walker

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines – Heavy equipment opera-tor Pfc. Christopher J. Waldon prepares for a simulated emer-gency reaction drill at the military command liaison elementhere Sept. 18. Marines with Headquarters Battery, 12th MarineRegiment, 3rd Marine Division, arrived here Sept. 15 to relievefellow headquarters battery Marines in support of Joint SpecialOperation Task Force Philippines.The Marines are providing forceprotection for the military command structure and security forconvoy operations and incoming military aircraft. Waldon is with the new Marine security element here. Photo by Cpl. Trevor M. Carlee

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MCAS CHERRY POINT, N.C. –Marines conduct “hot reload” training here May 19. Refuelers from Marine WingSupport Squadron 271 refueled an AH-1WSuper Cobra helicopter after ordnanceMarines rendered it safe at Landing ZoneBluebird. Within 15 minutes, the aircraft was refueled, reloaded, rearmed, back in the air, and poised to accomplish its mission.Super Cobras are armed with one 20 mmturreted cannon holding 750 rounds; fourexternal wing stations that can fire rockets;and a wide variety of precision guided mis-siles, including point target and antiarmortube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided missiles, antiarmor Sidewinder missiles and antiradar Sidearm missiles.Photo by Lance Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis

MCB QUANTICO, Va. – U.S. and Dutch Marines practiceinsertion and extraction drills in the snow at Landing Zone

Albatross here Feb. 12.The drills were part of a bilateral-exchangetraining package between Dutch Royal Marines from Curacao,Netherlands Antilles, and a platoon of reserve Marines from K

Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Moundsville, W.Va.The exchange fosters better working relationships and

understanding between the two countries’ Marines. “The bestpart about training with the Royal Marines was meeting them

and experiencing a bit of their culture,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert M. Kuhn, operations officer for 3rd Bn.

Photo by Mark Turney

NEW YORK – The city celebrates construction of theFreedom Tower where the World Trade Center once

stood. The new building’s planned 1,776-foot height will make it one of the tallest in the world.

It is scheduled to be completed in 2009.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

07:04

2004

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MANDA BAY NAVAL BASE, Kenya – Marines board tra-ditional fishing vessels, known as dhows, here Jan. 6 for the tripto Lamu, an island town where Marines will work to refurbish alocal boys’ school.The Marines and sailors, with 13th MarineExpeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), arrived here Jan.5 for Exercise Edged Mallet-04, a bilateral training and humanitari-an assistance exercise conducted annually with KenyanDepartment of Defense forces. More than 250 MEU personnel par-ticipated in numerous training events and community relationsprojects throughout the coastal regions of Kenya.The exercisewas designed to strengthen the longstanding military-to-militaryrelationship that exists between the United States and Kenya.Photo by Sgt. Adrian R. Pascual

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MCAS MIRIMAR, Calif. – A Marine with full combat gear swims laps at the combatwater survival training facility here during theeight-day Combat Water Safety Swimmers coursein April.To qualify for the course, Marines mustcomplete a 500-meter swim in less than 13 min-utes; a 50-meter lifesaving swim with a 10-poundbrick; and a 25-meter underwater swim toretrieve a 10-pound weight from the bottom ofthe pool. Of the 22 hopefuls who tried out inApril, six met the requirements and only threegraduated. Marines were evaluated on lifesavingrescues, the proper execution of strokes andaquatic confidence skills.To graduate, Marinesmust swim 500 meters in less than 11 minutesand pass all written exams. “After completingthis course, students should be able to handlethemselves in any aquatic situation,” said Sgt.Ryan N. Maus, primary CWSS instructor and San Diego native.Photo by Lance Cpl. Skye Jones

YECHON AIR FORCE BASE,Republic of Korea – A Marine aims a

M-2 .50 caliber machine gun at a gate as aKorean reaction squad prepares to rush during

combined reaction team training here March 23.Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron171 and troops with the Republic of Korea Air

Force 16th Fighter Wing engaged in air baseground defense exercises during Exercise Foal

Eagle March 23-25.The exercises trained Marinesto provide effective rear security in a forwardoperating environment and prepared them to

operate in a combat environment with Koreanallies, said 1st Lt. Mark R. Budzyn, Base Defense

Operations Center officer in charge.Photo by Lance Cpl. David Revere

FORT A.P. HILL, Va. –A Marine with MEU Service Support Group 24, 24th MarineExpeditionary Unit, climbs acrosswooden logs on a confidencecourse here March 15.The coursechallenged Marines with log-basedobstacles, many more than 30 feethigh.The obstacles tested balance,coordination and upper bodystrength and increased Marines’proficiency at maneuvering through rough terrain area.The training is part of the MEU’spredeployment workups.Photo by Lance Cpl. Sarah A. Beavers

CAMP LOUMIA, Chad – The Chad Army antiterroristbattalion graduated from an eight-week training

syllabus conducted by Marines of the Pan SahelInitiative Mobile Training Team. The 25 Marines

based here are from U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Atlantic and II Marine Expeditionary

Force. The Pan Sahel Initiative is designed to improve military training in Chad,

Mali, Mauritania, and Niger.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

07:27

2004

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MCAS NEW RIVER, N.C. – Marines rush into a building to bringdown a sniper as part of Military Operations in Urban Terrain training held at the combat town here March 20.The Marines are with MotorTransport Division, Marine Wing Support Squadron 272.This urban setting is ideal because during combat Marines may be assigned missions to secure buildings or homes, and they need to know the proper procedures to do so, said 1st Lt. Shawn H. Daley, division commander. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Marines planted six dummyunexploded devices, resembling grenades, mines and bombs, in the areaaround the training site to simulate unexpected dangerous conditions.Photo by Lance Cpl. Zachary R. Frank

TUNGPONG BAY,Thailand – Insects found inthe jungle are cooked andplaced in bamboo shoots for a 24-hour jungle survivaltraining class here May 14-15during exercise Cobra Gold2004. Marines learned whichjungle plants, fruits andinsects are edible in the Thaijungle, sampling some of theinsects themselves.They alsolearned to kill, skin and cook acobra during the class taught by Thai reconnaissanceMarines. “I have never been here before and this ismy first deployment,” said Pfc. Christopher M. Garcia,3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division.“It’s good to work with the Thai Marines and learn the different things that they have to show us.”Photo by Lance Cpl. Rose A. Muth

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MCB CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Marines from 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, II MarineExpeditionary Force, fast rope out of a MV-22 Ospreytilt-rotor aircraft here Nov. 5. ANGLICO Marines, withhelp from Special Operations Training Group instruc-tors, focused on testing the Osprey’s capabilities.“(The Osprey) is a fairly new aircraft. Our job is to certify it as safe,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jim M. Boutin,SOTG instructor and Haverhill, Mass., native.TheOsprey can fly at a maximum altitude of 26,000 feet, about 15,000 feet higher than a helicopter.This innovative aircraft can also fly nearly twice as fast and three times farther than a helicopter and needs less runway length than a traditional airplane – less than 500 feet.Photo by Cpl. Lana D. Waters

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA,Japan – A Kevlar blanket shields Marines

in stack formation from the blast of an explosive charge during the 10-day

Dynamic Entry Basic Course here June 2.The blast blew a man-sized hole into a

wall. With these advanced breaching skillsMarines can enter secure buildings and

recover cargo or information. “We want themaximum amount of penetration with the

least amount of collateral damage,” saidGunnery Sgt. John R. Gouley Jr.,senior dynamic entry instructor,

III Marine Expeditionary Force SpecialOperations Training Group.

Photo by Cpl. Ryan Walker

MCAS IWAKUNI, Japan –Air traffic control Marines at thetower here monitor the runway and communicate with Marines inthe radar bunker and pilots in theair Aug. 15.Tower personnel directthe flow of air traffic below 3,000feet and within five miles of the station.They handle an average of 200 operations a day, working with Marine Corps, Navy, Air Forceand Japanese military aircraft,said Sgt. Andrew J. Dykes,tower supervisor.Photo by Lance Cpl. Ruben D. Calderon

AN NAJAF, Iraq – Marines from the 11th MarineExpeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)

receive small arms, rocket propelled grenade and mortar fire while driving past the An Najaf

Maternity Hospital during a security patrol in thecity. Marines returned fire, taking caution to avoid

all noncombatants. It is estimated that two insurgentfighters were killed during the engagement.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

08:02

2004

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People

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq – Secretary of theNavy Gordon R. England joins Marines in a war cry

during a visit here Nov. 27. England traveled throughoutIraq, visiting I Marine Expeditionary Force Marines and sailors during the three-day Thanksgiving trip.

He commended Marines on their performance duringrecent operations in Fallujah and said there is more

work to be done to win the Global War on Terrorism.He also awarded several Purple Heart medals to 1st

Force Service Support Group Marines. “You’re theheroes here.You just don’t know it yet,” Gordon said.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Goodwin

AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq – Marines and U.S.Embassyrepresentatives meet with local Iraqi leaders from

the western Al Anbar Province to discuss upcomingelections. The daylong meeting mapped the

process by which the Iraqis will eventually draft a constitution. The role of the Marines and U.S.

Embassy’s representatives is strictly advisory, saidMaj. James R. Kendall, a 35-year-old from Nashua,

N.H. This will be the first of several meetings about the country’s political future until the

elections, scheduled for January 2005.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

08:04

2004

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WASHINGTON – Commandant of theMarine Corps Gen. Michael W. Hagee renders

honors as President Reagan’s flag-drapedcasket is moved to a horse-drawn caisson by a joint honor guard during the funeral

procession from the White House to the U.S.Capitol Rotunda here June 9. Following aservice June 11 at the National Cathedral,Reagan was flown back to California for a

sunset burial in a private ceremony. Reaganserved as the 40th commander-in-chief

from 1981-1989. He died June 5 at 93 fromcomplications of Alzheimer’s disease.

Of the Marines, Reagan once said,“Some people spend an entire lifetime

wondering if they’ve made a difference.The Marines don’t have that problem.”

Photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyi

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIPLEY,Afghanistan – Cpls. Dale Metcalf, Portland, Maine,and Matthew Lara, of Kissimmee, Fla., rest during apause in a security patrol in the Oruzgan Province.The two anti-tank assault men are assigned to Weapons Platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion,6th Marine Regiment, the ground combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (SpecialOperations Capable).Photo by Cpl. Robert A. Sturkie

MCB CAMP LEJUENE, N.C. – Lance Cpl.John W. Inman arrives at Landing Zone Gull here

shortly after making an amphibious landing atOnslow Beach Nov. 18. A radio operator with E

Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 8thMarine Regiment, his first landing was exactly thekind of experience he had hoped the Marine Corps

would provide, he said. After Sept. 11, 2001, the col-lege sophomore put aside his studies and his mana-

gerial job to join the Corps. “I guess I was just one ofthose guys who didn’t want to stand back and do

nothing,” said the 24-year-old wireman fromOklahoma City. “I did not want to look back when I

was old knowing that I did not do my part.”Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Mark E. Bradley

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq – Nine Marines from I MarineExpeditionary Force receive combat meritorious

promotions from Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler. Marinesrecommended for a combat meritorious promotion

must have demonstrated outstanding leadership to a degree rarely attained by Marines of equal

grade, according to Marine Corps Order P1400.32C.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

09:16

2004

MCRD PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. – Pvt. Juan C. Guerrerostands next to his brother, Cpl. Meguel Guerrero, at the Iwo Jimamonument here after Juan’s graduation from recruit training Nov.24. Meguel, who joined the Marine Corps two years earlier as aresult of Juan’s success in the Colombian Marines, welcomed his

brother with open arms. After hisstint in the Colombian military,

Juan came to New York to be with his mother and two brothers. “I kind ofpushed (Meguel) to jointhe Marine Corps,”Juan said. He is doing

very well, so I decided that I was going to do the

same thing.” Photo by Cpl. Brian Kester

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at 305 pounds – his weight just prior to expressing his interest in joiningthe Corps.The twenty-one-year old, Stuart, Fla., native shed 96 pounds in

eight months so he could join the Marine Delayed Entry Program andeventually become a Marine.The 5-foot, 11-inch Marine now weighs 188

pounds. “I want to make a difference in someone that’s heavy and tellthem that life isn’t about sitting around and having things handed to you,

you have to get up and make those changes on your own,”Vega said.Photo by Sgt. David Salazar

IRAQ – After receiving the Purple Heart during a ceremony April 24, Lance Cpl. Jeffery A. Scott, 20, holds up the armored plate insert that likely saved his life.The insert stopped a piece of shrapnel that hit him in the back during an attack April 5. Scott was one of 12Marines and a sailor to receive the medal during the ceremony. Mostreceived their wounds during the opening days of Operation VigilantResolve, launched April 4 to bring order to Fallujah. All of the recipients are assigned to Combat Service Support Battalion 1, which provides logistical support to Marines operating in and around Fallujah.Scott is a combat engineer and a native of Ogdensburg, N.Y. CSSB-1 is part of 1st Force Service Support Group, which is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq – 1st Lt. Jennifer J. Ryu,with 9th Communications Battalion, 1st Marine

Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, and her twin2nd Lt. Jessica J. Ryu, with 2nd Radio Battalion, 2ndMEF Headquarters Group, reunited here Oct. 14, for

the first time since deploying in support of OperationIraqi Freedom.The 24-year-old natives of Winston-

Salem, N.C., attended Officer Candidates School inQuantico, Va., during the summer of 2001. At home,

2,742 miles separate the Ryu sisters – Jennifer is stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.,

and Jessica at MCB Camp Lejeune, N.C. But in Iraq,they are only minutes apart. “It is funny how we are

closer, now that we are deployed,” said Jessica.Photo by Lance Cpl. Miguel A. Carrasco Jr.

MCRD SAN DIEGO –Jeremy and Jeremiah Pimental,18-year-old Springfield, Ore.,natives, are paternal twins who say they have done everything together – even joining the Marine Corps.They enlisted in the buddy program so they would have a better chance of stayingtogether during recruit trainingand wound up in the same pla-toon.They graduated Oct. 15.Photo by Lance Cpl. Jess Levens

STUART, Fla. – Hurricane Jeanne makes landfall nearmidnight. It is the fourth hurricane to hit the statethis year. Hurricane Charlie hit Aug. 13; Hurricane

Frances made landfall at about the same spot asJeanne on Sept. 5; and Hurricane Ivan crossed Florida

Sept. 16. Texas was the last state affected by fourhurricanes in one season in 1886. An estimated one

in five homes in Florida were damaged by hurricanes during August and September 2004 and 117 people

lost their lives in the state from the storms.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

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MCB CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. –Pvt. Joseph Cuen dabs the finishing touches of black to his chin during combat training here Oct. 29. Cuen is with 1st Platoon,I Company, Marine Combat Training Battalion. Upon graduating recruit training, Marines attend combat training at the School of Infantry for 22 days.There they learn combat skills,field tactics and weapons systems.Photo by Lance Cpl. Jess Levens

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MCRD SAN DIEGO – Cpl.Yuri Schneider, a combatillustrator with the Combat Visual Information Center here,

demonstrates his artistic vision in this half self-portraitDec. 3. Unlike most jobs in the Corps, a combat illustrator

must already be proficient at his craft before enlisting.Schneider submitted a portfolio of his art when he was

23 and was accepted to enlist as a combat illustrator.“I can’t imagine doing any other job in the Corps,” said the

27-year-old Pittsburgh native. “I’ve learned so much here.Now I’m more disciplined, and I’m a better artist.”

Photo by Cpl. Jess Levens

CAMP MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq – Lance Cpl. Louis A. Lasso-Hurtado,23, and his younger brother, Lance Cpl. Andres F. Lasso-Hurtado, 21, bothfrom Colombia, say being stationed together makes serving in a combatzone less stressful. Assigned to Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2ndMarine Regiment, the two rely on each other for support. “One of ourcousins was killed in the attacks on 9/11,” said Louis. “That, combined with our dad wanting us out on our own, made (joining the Marine Corps)the best decision.”Their cousin Lance Cpl. Jamie Hurtado-Correa, a NewYork native and rifleman with G Co., is in the same battalion.Photo by Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes

MCRD PARRIS ISLAND, N.C. – Senior Drill Instructor Staff Sgt.Louis Starnes, instructs recruits on proper uniform wear in the squad bayMarch 24.The 6-foot-9 Atlanta native, with Platoon 3040, I Company,3rd Recruit Training Battalion, has to duck his head every time he walksthrough a doorway. Many of his recruits say they were scared when theyfirst saw him duck his head out of the drill instructor hut, Starnes said.Photo by Lance Cpl. Darhonda V. Hall

AFGHANISTAN – About 40 Marine Wing SupportSquadron 473 Marines deploy to Afghanistan to

replace MWSS-471. The “Gargoyles” of MWSS-473are comprised of MWSS-473 elements from Miramar,

Calif., A Detachment from Fresno, Calif., and B Detachment from Fort Worth, Texas. They are

here to support Operation Enduring Freedom for a seven-month tour at Bagram Air Base’s

Camp Teufelhunden, and Forward Operating Base camps Salerno and Orgun-E.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

09:28

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MCRD SAN DIEGO –Staff Sgt. Kevin L. Zetina,senior drill instructor forPlatoon 2085 here, bellowscadence while practicing for G Company’s final drill compe-tition Aug. 13. Since his youthin Belize, in Central America,Zetina wanted to be in themilitary. He moved to southcentral Los Angeles when hewas 15 and attended John C.Freemont High School. Aftergraduation, he began lookingat the different armed servicesfor the one that best suitedhim. When he saw a Marine

recruiter, he found his service, Zetina said. “I loved the fact that the Marine recruiter did not smother me withpromises. He promised me one thing. He said, ‘It is goingto be hard.’ It was exactly what I wanted to hear.”Photo by Cpl. Shawn M. Toussaint

AL ASAD, Iraq – Cpl. Fabian Estrada pins first lieutenant bars to his sister’s collar duringher promotion ceremony here May 24. 1st Lt. Catalina Kesler, 27, is the executive officer of Alpha

Surgical Company, 1st Force Service Support Group. Estrada, 21, is a personnel clerk withMarine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew T. Rainey

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FALLUJAH, Iraq – As a combat engineer,Cpl. Michael R. Emans is responsible for breaching

doors, clearing barricades, and opening passagewaysfor the infantrymen in his team. Explosives are the

fastest means of punching through the obstacles, butcombat engineers also use an array of mechanical

devices such as sledgehammers, bolt-cutters and crow-bar-like tools, called “hooligan” tools. “I used to likeblowing up ordnance in training. I like it a lot better out here, running up to a door under fire, throwing

a stick of C-4 on the door, yelling ‘smoke’ then waitingfor the explosion.You get to be so much closer (than in

training) and you can feel the explosion. Destruction is very gratifying,” said the native of Bowling Green, Ohio.” Emans, 22, is with 3rd Platoon,

A Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.Photo by Cpl. Randy L. Bernard

MCRD SAN DIEGO – Pvt. Jeff Mahaffey,center, talked his older brother Jacob, right, into

joining the Marine Corps with him. Jeff, 18, enlistedin December 2003, with only high school graduation

and a summer between him and the Corps. Jacob,21, enlisted several months later, and the brothers

shipped out on the buddy program.The youngerMahaffey said having his big brother in boot camp

is great.The Marines, from Kewanee, Ill., were inPlatoon 1009 and graduated recruit training Nov. 5.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jess Levens

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq – Sgt. Aaron A. Smith,Cpl. Brian C. Bowers, Pvt. Phillip B. Cowan, and LanceCpl. William J. Horton are members of Small CraftCompany, from Camp Lejeune, N.C. All but Cowan areboat captains in charge of Riverine Assault Crafts. “Aboat captain is in charge of everything that happens onhis boat,” said Horton, a 24-year-old native of Knoxville,Tenn. It’s not unusual for junior Marines to shouldersuch responsibility. “Being a boat captain is like being afire team leader in an infantry company,” said Smith,from Kerrville,Texas. Cowan, a coxswain fromRuckersville, Va., has been with the company for lessthan two years. He hopes to be given the opportunityto be a boat captain in the future, he said.Photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq –As vehicle operators delivering supplies to Marines here, Cpls.Matthew P. Meier and Curtis J.Cichocki have been through threeconvoy ambushes together as ofMay 24. A Company, Combat ServiceSupport Group 15’s drivers havelogged more than 275,000 miles

since arriving in Iraq earlier this year.CSSG-15 is a part of

1st Force Service Support Group. Meier

is a 23-year-old native of Munith,

Mich. Cichocki is a22-year-old native of Westland, Mich.Photo by Staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon

WASHINGTON – President Bush is re-elected president of the United States. He is the first

president since his father in 1988 to be elected witha majority of all votes cast. He won 31 states, 286

electoral votes and 51 percent of the popular vote.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

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ZODAN, Iraq – Sgt. Phil F. ‘Mick’ McCotter, a sniper with Scout-Sniper Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, uses copper wire toextend the range of his team’s radio. Ingenuity is part of accomplishingmissions for the 24-year-old Black Rock, Ireland, native.The scout-snipersprovided security while combat engineers uncovered weapons cache sitesaround an area known as ‘Hill 55’, a former hotbed of terrorist activity.“Our job is to basically make sure no one tries to sneak up on them orplant a bomb in the area while they’re gone,” McCotter said.Photo by Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – R. Lee Ermey serves as host duringthe 10-kilometer Volkslauf:The Ultimate Challenge here Oct. 16.

The “people’s run” raised about $15,000 for Toys For Tots and othercharities. Ermey, the host of the television show Mail Call on the

History Channel, is best known for his taciturn portrayal of drillinstructor Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal

Jacket. He resurrected that role during the race by providing drillinstructor-style encouragement. Participants trudged through

five million gallons of water, mud and more than 50 obstacles,including hurdles, berms, tunnels, pits, ladders, swings and ropes.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Sergio Jimenez

FALLUJAH, Iraq – Marines with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, reopen a Fallujah bridge forthe first time since the bodies of two U.S. civilian

contractors were hung from its rafters. The civiliansalong with two other contractors were captured

by Iraqi insurgents, mutilated and dragged through the city March 31.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

11:152004

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OKUMA JOINT SERVICE RECREATION AREA, Okinawa,Japan – A Marine jumps off a bananaboat during the Single Marine Programcamping trip here May 14-16. More than 90 Marines from Camp Kinser attended the trip. Although the retreat offered swimming, snorkeling and other activities,some Marines preferred savoring the views.No matter what Marines decided to do during the trip, it fulfilled the organizers’intent of getting Marines away from thebases and allowing them to see whatOkinawa has to offer, said Cpl. Nanette Lugo, Camp Kinser SMP representative.Photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan K. Teslevich

CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq – Cpl.Bryant Lewis and Lance Cpl. Adrian R.Navarro tangle during a boxing matchheld here June 11. Nearly 500 Marinesshowed up for the camp’s first Friday

Night Fights. Marines and sailorswatched 28 amateur boxers compete

in 14 bouts inside the ring donated byMarine Aircraft Group 16. Navarro, fromNational City, Calif., is a mechanic with

Combat Service Support Battalion 7and Lewis, from Knoxville,Tenn., is amachine gunner with 3rd Battalion,

24th Marine Regiment. 1st Sgt. David P.Perry, first sergeant for L Company,

3rd Bn., 24th Marines, came up with the idea for formalized matches

when he discovered some of his Marines sparring on concrete

floors. Perry is a former golden glovesboxer from Maryville,Tenn.

Photo by Sgt. Jose L. Garcia

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – President Bush speaks with the Marines and families of I Marine

Expeditionary Force. He praised the Marines for serving “with valor and integrity” in the War on

Terror, “from the caves and mountains of Afghanistanto the deserts and cities of Iraq.” He also thankedfamilies for enduring long separations caused by

military deployments, and reminded them that “incarrying out these burdens, you also serve your

country – and America is grateful for your service.”

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

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MCB HAWAII – Savannah Orey, and her friendAnthony Bonomolo, both 5, cover their ears whilesitting on their fathers’ shoulders during the Blue

Angels’ performance at the Blues on the Bay AirShow here Oct. 9. Savannah’s father, Bret Orey, is asailor with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24.

Anthony’s father, P.J. Bonomolo, is a veteran Marine.Aerial acrobatics, demonstrations and flyovers bymilitary aircraft from the Marine Corps, Navy, Air

Force, and Coast Guard entertained more than100,000 spectators at the show from Oct. 8-13.

Photo by Cpl. Jessica M. Mills

ATLANTA – Lance Cpl. Jose Diaz and Cpl. Jose Irizarry enjoy one of manyrides at Six Flags over Georgia’s officialMarine Day June 29.The park, which plansto hold a daylong event honoring eachservice, was open to active duty Marines,reserve Marines and their families. SixFlags over Georgia paid tribute to theCorps by displaying Marine Corps vehiclesand weapons and featuring a pull-up com-petition. “This was a good opportunity forMarines to get away from day-to-day workand relax,” said Sgt. Dexter White, SingleMarine Program vice president at MarineCorps Logistics Base Albany. “It was also agood opportunity for Marines to see whatGeorgia has to offer them.”Photo by Cpl. Andrew P. Roufs

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GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE,Texas – Capt.Tom Hodge, commanding officer of the Marine Corps detachment here, enlists Smedley Fidelis, a 2-year-old English bulldog, into the

Marine Corps with the help of Master Gunnery Sgt. Rickie Jones and Lance Cpl. Mary Goodwin July 1. Fidelis was adopted from the Dallas-Fort Worth bulldog rescue and assigned as the

detachment’s mascot.The detachment is comprised of about 282 Marines, of which 232 are students attending Crash Fire and Rescue, Signals Intelligence or Imagery Analysis Apprentice

school.The remaining 50 Marines are instructors and administrative staff. Fidelis will be eligible for promotion to lance corporal in 180 days, pending good behavior.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Rory Pettway

OAHU, Hawaii – Lance Cpl. Jorge R. Jimenez rides a wave to SandyBeach on a body board here Aug. 13.The network technician was one of foursingle Marines and a corpsman from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego

to participate in the Single Marine Program trip to Oahu. A group of 55Marines, three sailors and six civilians from the Marine Corps’ West Coastinstallations flew in a C-130 from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif.,

for the getaway. Activities here included surfing and snorkeling at Sandy Beach and Hanauma Bay, watching fire dances at a luau

and touring the USS Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor.Photo by Lance Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.

SOUTHEAST ASIA – The fourth largest earthquakesince 1900, with a magnitude of 9.0, struck off the

west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, and resulted intsunamis that killed hundreds of thousands

throughout Asia. As the year draws to a close, stories of loss and survival abound. Governments

and people around the world pledge support to the devastated region.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

12:262004

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HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Sgt. Christopher Morrow concentrates on his answers during the quick cash portion of the ’Family Feud’ television game show here Jan. 31. During this portion, accumulating200 points earns a team $20,000.The Marines won and the $20,000prize was split between those who played this portion. Six Marinesfrom Marine Corps Air Station Miramar competed with other serviceteams during the six episodes of the all-military shows, which aired inearly May. “The whole experience of being on the Family Feud has been awesome,” said Morrow, a Canton, Ohio, native, who was promoted to staff sergeant Feb. 1. “We had a good team and went 3-0 on the show and went home with some money, so we’re all very happy about that.” Morrow, an intelligence chief with MarineHeavy Helicopter Squadron 462, Marine Aircraft Group 16, was one of the first selected for the Marine team.Photo by Staff Sgt. Chad McMeen\

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NEW YORK – Lt. Gen. Robert Magnus throws the firstpitch for the New York Mets Military Appreciation Day at

Shea Stadium May 23. Magnus is the deputy commandantfor Programs and Resources at Headquarters Marine Corps.

The Mets adopted 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment,which is based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., but deployed to

Iraq. Fans donated care supplies at each gate, which the Mets then sent to 2/2. New York Marine Corps

League members also collected money at each gate for care supplies to send to Iraq.

Photo by Cpl. Beth Zimmerman

BIG BEAR, Calif. – Four Big Bear patrons take a quiet ride up the mountainon the express lift during the Single Marine Program’s ski and snowboarding trip to

Big Bear Mountain Resorts Jan. 16-18. A dozen Marines from Marine Corps RecruitDepot San Diego enjoyed the same ride. Britney O’Connor, the depot’s SMP coordinator, made the trip possible for depot Marines, who joined Marines,

family members and friends from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and MarineCorps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.The excursion included a one-day lift pass, rental

equipment, and a two-hour lesson – the falls and fun were free. “It was a goodweekend,” said Sgt. Joel M. Castillo, depot traffic management office.

“There was a lot of camaraderie while we were up there.”Photo by Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke

WASHINGTON – Three Marine Corps disaster reliefassessment teams begin arriving in Thailand,

Sri Lanka and Indonesia. U.S. Pacific Command hasmarshaled assets ranging from carrier strike groups

and water purification ships to provide emergencysupport for victims following the Dec. 26 earthquake

and subsequent tsunamis, said Lt. Gen. JamesConway, director of operations for the joint staff,

during a special State Department briefing.

Year in ReviewON THIS DATE:

12:292004

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OKINAWA, Japan – Lance Cpl. Ricardo Baezcrawls through the opening of a cave during theMarine Corps Community Services battle sites tourhere April 29. Baez is a company clerk with B Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion,Marine Corps Base Camp Butler.The cave was one of four stops along the tour.This year marks the 59th anniversary of the World War II battle for Okinawa, which began Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945 and ended with an American victory June 21, 1945.Three Marine divisions, the 1st, 2nd and 6th, with support from five Army divisions and naval forcesfought in the battle against the Japanese. It was the largest amphibious assault during the Pacific campaign and the only battle not survived by either commander, said tour guide Dave Davenport.Photo by Cpl. Ryan Walker

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MARINE CORPS WAR MEMORIAL, Arlington, Va. –Capt. Mary Kate Bailey receives the first place medal from Col.Tom

Bright, chief of staff Marine Corps Base Quantico, after her victory inthe women’s division of the Marine Corps Marathon here Oct 31.

Bailey, from Long Island, N.Y., and currently stationed at Quantico, fin-ished with a time of 2:48:31 during the 29th annual Marine Corps

Marathon. She is the first Marine to win the marathon’s women’s divi-sion since 1st Lt. Joanna Martin in 1979. Bailey, whose three brothers –all Marine officers – were on hand to offer support during and after the

race, said the memory of her father, also a Marine and Vietnam Warveteran, helped keep her motivated throughout the 26-mile journey.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher Roberts

SemperFidelis

MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Philippines – Marine landing support specialist Lance Cpl. Jesse M. Fordgrabs a box of bottled water to load onto a CH-46E helicopter here Dec. 10. 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Marines andsailors with the Joint Task Force 535 are providing immediate lifesaving support to flood-devastated areas of the Philippines.Successive tropical storms killed more than 650 Filipinos, left more than 400 missing and displaced at least 168,000 local residents in the past week.The Marines and sailors of 3rd MEB are based in Okinawa, Japan and the unit is the Corps’ onlypermanently forward-deployed brigade-sized Marine Air Ground Task Force.Photo by Lance Cpl. Joel Abshier