Photo By Sgt. Luke Kuennen | Maddox Hyde and his family pose for a photo with the Marines of Aircraft Rescue and...... read more read more
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Marine Corps Base Hawaii has played host to many Service members and their families over the years, serving as a memorable duty station that many look back on fondly long after moving on. Kenneth Hyde can be counted among that number, being stationed on Oahu with his wife and daughter from 2003 to 2006, where his son, Maddox, was also born.
“I was with two units while at MCBH,” said Kenneth. “I was with 3rd Radio Battalion until they started downsizing, then I was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.”
Maddox was only 18 months old when the family moved back to the mainland, but his parents’ photos, videos, and stories, inspired him to return to MCBH. The Hydes toured MCBH Sept. 27, 2017, as part of their family visit to the Hawaiian Islands.
“This is a blessing to me and my son,” said Kenneth. “For him to see where he was born, where he came from, and to see the things that I was able to see… It’s a true blessing.”
Maddox has been battling cancer for much of his youth, beating it into remission twice. Recently, however, a third diagnosis prompted the family to fulfill Maddox’s dream of seeing where his father served before undergoing the next cycle of treatment.
“My dad was in the Marines, and I wanted to see where he was stationed,” said Maddox. “I wanted to see where I was born, and learn about the culture of Hawaii.”
The tour began with breakfast at the Flying Leatherneck, with Lt. Col. Mark Angersbach, the Marine Corps Air Station commanding officer, meeting with the Hyde family.
“We had the great privilege to host young Maddox and his family today,” said Angersbach.
“This tour showed him all aspects of our base, but as the air station commander, I wanted to come down and talk to him a little bit about the air station itself.”
Angersbach gave the Hydes a brief overview of what their morning would entail, and answered questions from the family about changes made to MCBH since they left 11 years ago.
“The family was very friendly and very excited, you could tell,” said Angersbach. “The other thing that was really neat is that Maddox is here because his dad was stationed here. It was really special to see him make that connection with his father.”
After touring the air traffic control tower and taking part in demonstrations with Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, Maddox had the opportunity to run simulations for the MV-22 Osprey aircraft, as well as a convoy simulation that included driving a Humvee, shooting a .50-caliber machine gun, and shooting the M16A4 rifle.
“The flight simulator made me dizzy at first, but then I got used to it,” said Maddox. “My favorite part of the day was shooting the .50-caliber and the M16. I loved the M16.”
The tour ended with a static display tour and family photo at the Iwo Jima Memorial. Kenneth squatted over the bricks bearing the names of the friends and fallen Marines he’d deployed to Iraq with more than 10 years ago, kissing his hand and touching their names before leaving.
The sense of brotherhood the Marine Corps fosters hasn’t dimmed in the last decade, said Kenneth.
“It’s something you’ll never get rid of,” said the former sergeant. “I’ve been out 11 years, and I still miss this every day. To socialize with everyone today and see them help Maddox with everything, boy, do I miss it. I’m proud to be a Marine.”
Kenneth expressed his gratitude to be back on the installation, and to be able to share the experience with his son.
“Coming down the H-3, seeing the gates, it’s amazing to be back here, I can’t describe it,” said the Kenneth. “For the Marines to do this for my son, and to give him the chance to experience things that I’ve experienced is just amazing.”
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 10.05.2017 14:20 |
| Story ID: | 250503 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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