Photo By Sgt. Cameron Hermanet | U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 22 and the Stray Cats team...... read more read more
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DARWIN, AUSTRALIA. – Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 22 competes in everything we do, and on the field of rugby is no different. MRF-D played the local men’s club, the Stray Cats, as part of an annual commemoration to honor the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks as well as the brave service members and first responders who sacrificed since.
On September 11, 2001, Marines and Sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in a friendly rugby match with the Darwin community following a training event in the Northern Territory. Following the game, word began to spread of a horrific attack in New York City and Washington D.C., as well as an additional attack thwarted by a group of heroes.
In the years since, the Stray Cats worked to play a match against Americans to remember the bravery and sacrifice of Americans, Australians, and other allies in the fight against terrorism around the world. When the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) took its place in Darwin in 2012, the annual match between MRF-D and the Stray Cats grew more permanent roots, and the game is played each year around the anniversary of the attacks.
It was an honor for MRF-D 22 to keep the tradition alive, and to be a small part of a very special relationship with our Australian teammates. While the official scores of this friendly match are tied every year, we are confident MRF-D 22 provided the best victory of the series, winning 10-0 while not allowing the Stray Cats inside the 22-meter line. More impressive was the comradery and connection to the Darwin community displayed as part of the historic match.
This rugby match was an incredible experience for the MRF-D team, but even more special for me. In addition to providing friends and family of the MAGTF with updates of our lethality, readiness, and partnerships, I had the great honor of coaching and leading this year’s rugby team. I am grateful for the chance to pass on a game I love to young Marines and Sailors, and proud to lead such incredible young men our nation calls on to protect us. I was blessed with the opportunity to play this game alongside dozens of other service members I consider my brothers always, coached by some fine Marines and Sailors too, so it was a significant experience to pay forward those lessons to the future of our great service.
Rugby is a beautiful sport, one that requires immense teamwork, unmatched physicality, and extreme fitness, all traits embodied by the United States Marine Corps. The game teaches young people to be better teammates, better warriors, and better friends. It forces you to overcome adversity, compete in every repetition, and push yourself harder than you think you can handle. The Marine Corps shares the same challenge, and following September 11, 2001, countless young Americans, Australians, and worldwide teammates answered the call to protect innocent people from the atrocities of terrorism.
Over 5,000 Americans sacrificed their lives in service to their country, to the Constitution, and to their fellow warfighters in the Global War on Terror. By our side, as they are in every time of conflict, the Australians sustained hundreds of their own casualties, further demonstrating their commitment to our fight for peace and freedom around the world.
While a small token of remembrance, the 9/11 commemorative rugby match serves to ensure we never forget who we are as Marines and as an alliance. The match offers a chance for Americans and Australians alike to step back from the training and readiness, and appreciate the great team we make which continues to support those in need across the globe.
For questions regarding this story, please contact the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin media inquiry email address at MRFDMedia@usmc.mil. Imagery from this rotation and previous can be found at dvidshub.net/unit/MRF-D.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2022 05:38 |
| Story ID: | 429361 |
| Location: | AU |
| Web Views: | 271 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, A Ruck to Remember: MRF-D 22 Remembers 9/11 with Commemorative Rugby Match, by MAJ Joseph DiPietro, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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