Photo By Maj. John Parry | Marines of Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, based out of Camp...... read more read more
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TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - La familia - The Marine Corps' most powerful tool has long been its camaraderie, described as fanatical by some.
Marines come from diverse backgrounds, regions and even nationalities, but all share the common bond forged through intense training. And, unlike any other military branch, the Marines exalts its members to the extent that it does not distinguish between service and membership in name - Marines. Once the title's earned, a Marine does not lose this distinction even upon reentry into the civilian community.
As part of this distinct ethos, Marine units traditionally gather for an evening meal known as "Warrior Night" before heading off to war. Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, recently partook in this tradition following the completion of its Integrated Training Exercise here, June 6.
"Whether you get out of the Marine Corps after this tour or spend the next 30 years of your life in the Marine Corps - you've made a contribution and made your life better," said Lt. Col. Brian Mullery, the commanding officer of CLB-6, "Your legacy is to go deploy, give your best every single day, and come back better, faster, stronger and with the experience."
The battalion will set off for Operation Enduring Freedom in the coming months. Along with their infantry, artillery and air counterparts, the Marines worked on combined arms training at ITX to prepare for the upcoming deployment. They spent six weeks in the field under intense evaluation by instructors who go by the name 'Coyotes' and received excellent marks despite intense scrutiny.
The meal, which also served as reward for more than 500 personnel, consisted of steaks, chicken and corn on the cob. Dessert was also served, but at the expense of friendly jabs by their fellow service members for being "nasty," rooted in the idea that a Marine who's out of shape may not be able to keep up with his or her peers. Contributing to the bonding experience, the battalion's Marines also intermixed and sat with portions of their peer group they may not have known as well.
Sgt. Maj. Roger Griffith, the battalion sergeant major and an experienced infantryman who's deployed numerous times throughout his career, led the Marines in tribute to the sacrifices of their fore-bearers on the anniversary of the beach landings at Normandy, June 6, 1944.
"It's good to be the hunter," said Griffith. "But do not forget on 6 June - on days like today - to push the pause button sometimes around your family ... They were the same age you are right now, and for most of them, it was probably their first war."
"You stood up, raised your hand when all of your peers did not and said … Send me! I'll go!" Griffith added. "That's what you did. And that's why your here right now, and that's why you're part of this family -- la familia."
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.09.2013 15:36 |
| Story ID: | 108360 |
| Location: | TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 278 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, La familia: CLB-6 Marines share 'last supper' before deployment, by MAJ John Parry, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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