Photo By Cpl. Robert Medina | Col. John M. Schultz, chief of staff, 1st Marine Logistics Group speaks to the Marines...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — The 50 state flags waved proudly in the warm California breeze as Marines and sailors gathered for a ceremony to commemorate the 63rd Anniversary of 1st Marine Logistics Group, July 1.
As colors were presented, many ser¬vice members thought about their broth¬ers and sisters forward deployed.
“Just like any other Marine, I wish I could be out there with them,” said Lt. Col. Steven Weintraub, G-3, 1st Marine Logistics Group.
Although the entire 1st MLG family was not physically together to celebrate, they were permanently united in a deep¬er sense: through their history.
“As we look forward, it is also important to look back to where we came from, not just as the Marine Corps overall, but as 1st MLG,” said Weintraub.
Fourteen Marines walked across the lawn with streamers to dress their unit flag with well-deserved awards. Just like the ribbons that salty, old-Corps Marines display proudly on their uniforms to tell their own personal Marine Corps story, the battle streamers tell the 1st MLG story.
Each streamer the Marines rededi¬cated came with a story, from places like Korea, Vietnam, Southwest Asia, Somalia and Iraq, where Marines and sailors from 1st MLG were called upon to complete a mission.
The presentation of battle colors gave the gatherers exceptional insight into ex¬actly where they come from. For many of the younger Marines, it was all very new.
“Until today, I was unaware of all the battles 1st MLG has participated in,” said Cpl. Keenan J. Kumanchik, heavy equipment mechanic, Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st MLG.
After the last streamer was hung from the guidon at the top of the 1st MLG flag, their journey to the present was perfectly clear. At 8 a.m. on July 1 at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, BGen Charles Hudson officially dedicated the Afghanistan campaign streamer. This is a reminder that 1st MLG continues to write history.
“In the audience and standing before you is a representative slice of those that have gone before, as well as the present and future of our Corps,” said Col. John Schultz, chief of staff, 1st MLG, in his remarks. “All have so self¬lessly contributed so much to the exem¬plary performance of this unit. I com¬mend you, along with our families, for your sacrifices.”
Sacrifice is something else shared among those in 1st MLG to help ac¬complish the mission and grow as a unit. Without dedicated, hardworking Marines and sailors 1st MLG’s history would probably be written quite differ¬ently.
Schultz made sure to mention the rea¬son the Marines and sailors could be a part of something so spectacular.
“More importantly,” said Schultz, “it’s about the individual Marines and sailors that make up the organization. It’s their hard work and sacrifice that makes [1st MLG] successful.”
As Marines, sailors and guests lis¬tened to the messages written by the commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James Conway, and 1st Marine Logis¬tics Group Commanding Gen. Gen Charles L. Hudson, it was apparent how highly respected 1st MLG is.
“Marines know that we can always count on 1st MLG to ensure our warf¬ighters are supplied and equipped to complete any mission,” wrote Conway to the Marines and sailors of 1st MLG in All-Marine Message 022/10.
One of the Marines in attendance not¬ed 1st MLG’s transformation since he began his career with the unit in 1992 – back then it was known as 1st Force Service Support Group.
“A lot of the changes have been for the better to make us more proficient in our support,” said 1stSgt Trey Belle, company first sergeant, India Company, Ma¬rine Combat Training Battalion, School of Infantry West.
Activated in 1947 at Pearl Harbor as the 1st Combat Service Group, the unit went through four name changes before becoming the 1st MLG. Howev¬er, despite all the name changes, one thing remains the same: the dedication to providing exemplary combat service support to Marines and sailors forward deployed and in garrison.
| Date Taken: | 07.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.08.2010 06:37 |
| Story ID: | 52499 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 400 |
| Downloads: | 91 |
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