III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan September 15, 2006 www.okinawa.usmc.mil Marine Corps Base welcomes new commander Lance Cpl. David Rogers Okinawa Marine Staff CAMP FOSTER — Brig. Gen. Joseph V. Medina handed over responsibilities as commander of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler to Brig. Gen. Mary Ann Krusa-Dossin during a ceremony in front of Camp Butler’s Building 1 Sept. 6. Brig. Gen. Medina will now serve as the commanding general of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and the deputy commander of III Marine Expe- ditionary Force. Sgt. Erin Rios greets her son Mikey on Camp Foster after returning from a nearly seven-month deployment to Iraq. As Brig. Gen. Rios was among 111 members of 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, who returned Medina passed to Okinawa Sept. 7. Rios hugged her son without moving for nearly 30 minutes. Photos by Lance Cpl. Juan D. Alfonso command to Brig. Gen. Krusa-Dos- sin, he expressed his confidence Brig. Gen. Krusa-Dossin in her ability to take care of the COMING HOME Marines he has TSB Marines return after nearly seven months in Iraq served for more than a year. Lance Cpl. Juan D. Alfonso among several families reunited “I could ask Okinawa Marine Staff that day when 111 Marines and for no better sailors with 3rd TSB, 3rd Ma- replacement,” CAMP FOSTER — Lance Cpl. rine Logistics Group, returned to Brig. Gen. Me- Brig. Gen. Medina Erin O’Hearn held back tears of Okinawa from Asad Iraq. dina said. joy in front of a Camp Foster bar- Most of the returning Marines Brig. Gen. Krusa-Dossin, who racks Sept. 7 as she awaited her and sailors were assigned to Mo- will also serve as the deputy com- husband’s arrival from a near sev- tor Transportation Company, and mander of Marine Corps Bases enth-month Iraq deployment. friends and family members wel- Japan, comes from the Pentagon, When her husband, Lance Cpl. comed them home in front of the where she served as the director Lance Cpl. Erin O’Hearn embraces her of Marine Corps Public Affairs for Jason O’Hearn, finally arrived, she Company’s barracks. husband Lance Cpl. Jason O’Hearn for introduced him to his son for the The Marines were involved in a the first time in nearly seven months. more than three years. She was first time, and she stopped holding two-fold mission in Iraq, according recently selected for promotion to back the tears. to 1st Sgt. William Mayo, Motor provide security for convoys, was major general. The O’Hearns, both motor ve- Transportation Company’s first attached to Combat Logistics Com- “I certainly look forward to the hicle operators with 3rd Transpor- sergeant. pany 117, Combat Logistics Battal- challenges of supporting our warf- tation Support Battalion’s Motor The majority of his company, ion, 1st Marine Logistics Group. ighters and their families,” she said. Transportation Company, were whose primary mission was to SEE RETURN PG. 6 SEE COMMAND PG. 7 MEMORIAL SERVICE A DAY TO REMEMBER LOCAL FLAVOR Hundreds gather at Camp Hansen’s Five years after the Sept. 11 Awamori, similar to Japanese sake, West Chapel to honor Staff Sgt. terrorist attacks on America, has a rich tradition in Okinawa, Dwayne E. Williams, an EOD technician Marines gather on Camp Hansen for and the island features several who was recently killed in Iraq. a solemn tribute. distilleries that offer free tours. INSIDE pg. 8 pg. 10 pg. 12 2 OKINAWA MARINE | NEWS | SEPTEMBER 15, 2006 Around the CHEMERIL, Kenya | Lance Cpl. Darrell Brandes carries two goats out of a corral to a nearby immunization area Aug. 15 as part of Exercise Natural Fire’s veterinary civil assistance project (VETCAP). More than 2,000 sheep and goats were vaccinated against Sheep Pox and Pleural Pneumonia. Photo by For more Marine Corps stories and photos, Petty Officer 2nd Class Roger S. Duncan Cvisit http://www.usmcorp.mil S CAMP HABBANIYAH, Iraq | Military-working dog handlers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, train their dogs on attack techniques Sept. 1. The group works side-by-side with other Marines to combat insurgents during various combat operations. The handlers are currently serving a seven- month deployment in the Habbaniyah area under Regimental Combat Team 5. Photo by Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis HUSAYBA, Iraq | An Iraqi boy greets Sgt. Michael D. Grant in his house during Operation Rubicon Aug. 25. Grant and other Marines, soldiers and a sailor assigned to K Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, were on a patrol mission when they stopped to visit. MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. | A Photo by Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis Marine from 1st Marine Division School rappels from a CH-46E Sea Knight Aug. 30. Marines from the school were learning how to become helicopter rope suspension training masters and conducted day and night rappelling to ensure their proficiency. Photo by Lance Cpl. George J. Papastrat OKINAWA MARINE | OPINION & EDITORIAL | SEPTEMBER 15, 2006 3 Around the Recognizing, solving problems starts with you Navy Lt. Ed Cunha his first marriage. sweep painful experiences under himself before starting again? Since I don’t know all the facts the rug and forget about them. Too many times, an immature “My friend is a concerning his first marriage, I That can be a dangerous mistake. individual looks for what he sees Roman Catholic would encourage him to talk to Denial of a past problem cannot as the perfect woman who will and is rebound- a local priest or Roman Catholic lead to solving the underlying make up for all the problems for ing from a painful Chaplain to find out what will be root cause of the failure in his which he may have been respon- Q: divorce. He says necessary to seek an annulment. marriage. sible for in the first marriage. he will never get When your friend said, “I’m So if you want to say some- Such a search is futile and bound married again. I know he cannot never going to get married again,” thing to your friend, to end in more pain and get married until he gets an an- I don’t think he was referring to and if you are good frustration. For more Marine Corps stories and photos, nulment, but after that, could he Roman Catholic Church processes enough friends, I would CHAPLAIN’S Too often, men don’t visit http://www.usmc.mil marry again? What should I tell or rules. I have heard many indi- ask him to talk about CORNER like to talk about failed CorpS him?” viduals say similar things many his marriage and have marriages. But if you’re times. In many cases, these indi- him identify what went a sympathetic listener Since your viduals are married again. I think wrong from his perspective. If he and your friend talks with you friend is Roman what your friend is really saying indicates that “blame” lies mostly about this again, keeping him Catholic, you are in that situation is: “Next time I upon his former spouse, then your honest about his mistakes is what A: correct when you hope my marriage is going to be friend isn’t looking deep enough a good friend and listener can do. say your friend better – if ever I marry again.” into the problems that caused the Cunha is assigned to 3rd Ma- cannot get married in the Roman What concerns me is that he failure in the marriage. What was rine Logistics Group and regularly Catholic Church until he applies may not be looking at his former his contribution to the breakup? leads worship at the Camp Hansen for and receives an annulment of marriage clearly. Men tend to What does he have to change in East Chapel Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Sempertoons Donating to CFC easy, gratifying way to help others Created by Gunnery Sgt. Charles Wolf Pfc. Charlie Chavez anything in return is truly easy for donations to target a selfless and marks a person’s specific charity or program. or some, the time to be character. The CFC doesn’t require gen erous is on holidays, Giving with anonymity a specific amount as a dona- Fbirthdays, anniver saries through the Combined Federal tion and welcomes a one-time or other special occasions. Campaign – a gov ernment donation or an extended do- Despite the old adage, “To give employee program for charity nation while various payment is better to receive,” it seems donations – is a good way to options make it easy to donate. there isn’t much feeling be- feel good about helping people Every person understands hind our gifts these days. that greatly ben efit from the the feeling of being helpless or Society has made a giant generosity. The people who needing help, and if everyone marketing scheme of what need assistance and find comes together to help those used to be a gener ous act. refuge in the generosity of in need, the CFC will benefit During holidays, people are others, through the help of the more and more people. required to buy gifts, and the CFC charities, will forever be Chavez is a staff member origin of feeling no longer touched by such philanthropy. of the Chevron newspaper at seems to be benevolent. To The long list of charities that Marine Corps Recruit Depot give with no expectation of the CFC includes makes it San Diego. MARINE CORPS FACT CHECK RELIGIOUS CLOTHING ARTICLES Q: What religious articles are Marines allowed to wear in uniform? Subject to temporary revocation due to health, safety, or mission requirements, Marines may wear neat and conservative religious apparel items, such as articles of religious apparel, which are not visible or apparent when worn with the uniform.