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III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan December 1, 2006 www.okinawa.usmc.mil Toys for Tots campaign REACHING OUT underway on Okinawa Marines, sailors build bonds with Chinese Lance Cpl. Richard Blumenstein counterparts during historic China visit OKINAWA MARINE STAFF CAMP FOSTER — The 2006 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign on Okinawa began with a cer- emony Nov. 18 at the Post Exchange on Camp Foster. Each year, Marines on Okinawa contribute their time during the months of November and December to collect new, unwrapped toys and charitable donations for children in need during Christmas. “This is a great oppor- Gunnery Sgt. Toshia C. tunity for us to show one Sundermier donates a toy Nov. 18 on Camp Foster. Photo of the best things about by Lance Cpl. Richard Blumenstein America – our generosity,” said Col. Russell I. Jones, 9,000 toys last year, Loppe the commanding officer said. This year they want to for Headquarters and Ser- shatter that record by collect- vice Battalion Marine Corps ing more than 10,000 toys. Base Camp Butler, during “Toys for Tots is an orga- the kick-off ceremony. “To nization that gives every boy quote an unknown author, and girl a chance to have a ‘no man stands taller than normal Christmas,” Loppe when he helps a needy said. “It gives them the op- child.’” portunity to believe there is The toys collected here hope.” on Okinawa will be given to Military families who children in the local Japa- would like to request as- nese and military commu- sistance from Toys for Tots nities this holiday season, this Christmas can contact according to Staff Sgt. Jon E. their unit representative, Loppe, an Individual Ready Loppe said. Marines can also Reserve military policeman nominate other families who with III Marine Expedition- need assistance but would ary Force. not be likely to ask for it on “Volunteering for the pro- their own. gram helps build good rela- Organizations or individu- tions between the local and als interested in participating military communities on in the Toys for Tots campaign As an ice breaker, American and Chinese Marines shake hands and introduce themselves in Okinawa,” said Loppe. should contact Loppe by Zhanjiang, China. The event was part of a friendly military competition between U.S. Marines Toys for Tots organizers email at jon.e.loppe@usmc. and Marines from the People’s Republic of China. SEE STORY ON PAGE 7. Photo by Staff Sgt. Marc Ayalin on Okinawa collected nearly mil or phone 645-8066. AROUND THE CORPS TRAINING FOR SUCCESS IN SEARCH OF DRILL Take a look at what else is happening III MEF service members prepare for The final installment in our three-part in the Marine Corps worldwide, from an upcoming mission to Afghanistan series on the health of Marine Corps Quantico, Va., to Tunis, Tunisia, in where they will mentor and train drill focuses on the role of sergeants our Around the Corps feature. Afghan National Army troops. and below — The Motivators. INSIDE pg. 3 pg. 8 pg. 10 2 OKINAWA MARINE | NEWS | DECEMBER 1, 2006 Around the HUSAYBAH, Iraq | Marines from 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment conduct a For more Marine Corps stories and photos, patrol Nov. 1. Photo by Cpl. Brian Cvisit http://www.orpmarines.mil S M. Henner MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. | Quantico Marine Corps Band trumpeter Sgt. Kevin Creasy stands at rest before playing Taps at a dedication ceremony for the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park. The park serves as a place for reflection and remembrance for all Marines and their sacrifices. Photo by Staff Sgt. B.J. Swenson MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. Marines celebrate the annual Marine Corps uniform pageant on Gray’s Field Nov. 9. During the pageant, several Marine volunteers wore historical and authentic Marine Corps uniforms ranging from the fancy trim and feathers of the first uniforms in 1775, to the solid TUNIS, Tunisia | The Marine Corps color guard, assigned to the American Embassy green uniforms in Tunis, marches past a corridor of Tunisian honor guards while retiring the colors and wide helmets during a wreath-laying ceremony at the North African American Cemetery Nov. 17. worn during the Established in 1948, the cemetery holds the graves of 2,841 service members who died Vietnam War. while serving during World War II. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Rosa Larson Photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole A. LaVine OKINAWA MARINE | OPINION & EDITORIAL | DECEMBER 1, 2006 3 Veteran’s survival story inspires others Doug Stratton speak to a group of kids, and let wave Feb. 19, 1945. He saw the above the water level. A fellow them know about the sacrifices famous flag raising four days injured Marine saved his life by was recently in Washington people have made to preserve later on Mount Suribachi, but holding his head up until they D.C. on vacation from the our freedoms. Gordon is an shortly afterward was severely reached the hospital ship. United Kingdom, and visited amazing man, a real inspiration, wounded in the leg from a Japa- As Gordon had saved the lives Ithe United States Marine Corps and he has made a major impact nese shell. He was taken down of at least three Marines before (Iwo Jima) Memorial one Sat- on both of us. to the beach where his wounds he was wounded, he got his re- urday afternoon. There, sitting Since returning to the UK, we were tended to by a Navy corps- payment right there and thank- in the shade of a tree from the have written to Gordon and de- man, however another shell fully still lives today. blazing sun, was an old Marine veloped our friendship, and have exploded nearby, killing the Yet in many ways, what he veteran of the Battle of Iwo Jima. been doing more research on the corpsman, who fell onto Gordon. does now is an even greater His name was Gordon Ward. Pacific War. Being British, we He was lucky to be spotted alive contribution than what he did 60 He volunteers his time to speak were only really taught about the under the corpsman’s body and years ago. In the end, our success to tourists and schoolchildren European conflict at school, al- was taken onto a landing craft to or failure in life is determined by about Iwo Jima every Saturday. though of course we’re all aware be evacuated. The landing craft the lives we have touched, and My girlfriend and I sat and of the fame of Iwo Jima. was then hit by Japanese fire Gordon has touched many more talked with Gordon for what Gordon was a rifleman with and as sea water started to pour than most people. seemed like hours, before we 1st Battalion, 25th Marines and into the boat, Gordon found that Stratton is a citizen of the left, reluctantly, to allow him to landed on Iwo Jima in the first he was unable to lift his head United Kingdom. As Marines, there are no excuses for Sempertoons Created by Gunnery Sgt. Charles Wolf not following rules, being respectful Staff Sgt. Darrell Gunter being disrespectful toward Air Force and Army NCOs that work at the club is a major hat happened to Marines being Marines problem. 24/7? What happened to noncommis- We have too many Marines living off of the Wsioned officers and staff noncommis- name “Marine,” and they are screwing it up sioned officers correcting Marines on the spot? for everyone else. It seems as if Marines are I’ve been working at the Kadena Banyan forgetting they are Marines once they start Tree Club for eight months as a security weekend liberty. guard. During this time, I’ve caught more Am I the perfect Marine? No, I’m not, be- than 30 Marines wearing earrings. Some of cause I’ve made mistakes, but I know I’m not the excuses I’ve heard have been ridiculous. supposed to wear earrings and bandanas on For example: “I can wear them on an Air or off base – period. Force base,” “I’m on leave,” “It’s in the Marine I’m still trying to figure out how you go Corps rule book,” or “My SNCO saw me with from being a Marine for five days to being a them and didn’t say anything.” All of these thug for two days on the weekend. excuses are a bunch of you know what! Gunter is the Marine Tactical Air Control Not only are earrings an issue, but Marines Squadron 18 Supply Chief. MARINE CORPS FACT CHECK TATTOOS Q: How does the Marine Corps evaluate tattoos? According to Marine Corps Uniform Regulation MCO P1020.34G W/CH 1-4, Chapter 1, Paragraph 1004, Marines are prohibited from tattoos or brands on the neck and head. In other areas of the body, tattoos or brands that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and A: morale or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Marine Corps are also prohibited. TO SUBMIT AN OPINION OR EDITORIAL, E-MAIL US AT [email protected] COMMANDING GENERAL Maj. Gen. Mary Ann Krusa-Dossin OKINAWA MARINE NEWSPAPER PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR Lt. Col. Brad S. Bartelt H&S Battalion MCB PAO Unit 35002 PRESS OFFICER 2nd Lt. Judd A. Wilson The Okinawa Marine is published by Marine Corps Community the U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler or Marine FPO AP 96373-5002 Services under exclusive written contract with Marine Corps Base Camp Corps Community Services of the products and services advertised.