iii marine expeditionary force and marine corps bases japan JULY 1, 2011 WWW.OKINAWA.USMC.MIL Local community, Americans honor Okinawa Memorial Day Cpl. Jovane M. Henry Park is located in southeastern Oki- ones’ names at the Cornerstone of OKINAWA MARINE STAFF nawa, where the fighting ended, and Peace. stands as a tribute to the more than The Cornerstone of Peace, also ITOMAN CITY, OKINAWA, Japan 200,000 military personnel and civil- known as Heiwa no Ishiji, is a stone — More than 5,000 Okinawan com- ians who perished during the battle. -wall monument bearing the 241,132 munity members and American This number included people from names of all who lost their lives dur- military service members gathered Japan, the U.S., Great Britain, Korea, ing the battle. Its main purpose is to Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., at Okinawa Peace Memorial Park Taiwan and Okinawa. help people remember those lost in commanding general of III Marine here for the 2011 Okinawa Memorial Throughout the day, Okinawan the war and to pray for peace and Expeditionary Force and commander Service for All War Dead June 23. citizens and active duty and retired to pass on the lessons learned from of Marine Corps Bases Japan, looks at American service members strolled war and serve as a place for medita- names on the Cornerstone of Peace The somber event recognized the at Okinawa Peace Memorial Park in 66th anniversary of the conclusion the grounds, recalling cherished tion and learning, according to the Itoman City, during the 2011 Okinawa of the Battle of Okinawa, one of the stories of their loved ones and plac- Okinawa Prefectural Government. Memorial Service for All War Dead bloodiest battles of World War II. ing flowers, origami cranes, food and The ceremony, which included the June 23. Photo by Cpl. Jovane M. Henry Erected in 1995, Peace Memorial bottles of water under their loved SEE PEACE PG 5 31st MEU begins Asia- Pacific tour Capt. Caleb D. Eames 31ST MEU PAO CAMP HANSEN — Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded Navy ships of Amphibious Squadron 11 and departed Okinawa June 28 to begin a patrol of the Asia-Pacific Sgt. Kaine Marzola, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the civil affairs detachment with 3rd Medical region. Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, hands out newly donated bed nets to local This is the first deployment of the children during a community relations event June 19 at Ou Village, Kampot Province, Kingdom of Cambodia. The 31st MEU since returning from par- event is part of Cambodia Interoperability Program 2011, a regularly-held exercise between the U.S. and Cambodian ticipating in Operation Tomodachi in forces that allows both nations to conduct joint medical and dental operations, improve interoperability and foster mainland Japan during March and April goodwill to ensure regional peace and stability. Photo Cpl. James C. Anderson this year. While on patrol, the 31st MEU is scheduled to participate in the bilateral Symposium hits on several medical issues Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 with part- ner-nation military forces in Australia. Cpl. Kentavist P. Brackin community health providers attended the first “The 31st MEU looks forward to the OKINAWA MARINE STAFF Medical Stability Symposium June 21–23 in the partnership with Australia and their Kingdom of Cambodia. military forces,” said Col. Andrew R. REAM NAVAL BASE, SIHANOUK PROVINCE, The symposium is part of the regular Cambodia MacMannis, commanding officer, 31st Kingdom of Cambodia — Medical personnel Interoperability Program 2011, a regularly-held MEU. “This exercise increases our from the III Marine Expeditionary Force, the exercise between III MEF’s 3rd Medical Battalion, SEE MEU PG 5 Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and local SEE SYMPOSIUM PG 5 SENDING HEAT DOWNRANGE HOLIDAY SAFETY Marines send live rounds downrange during Stay safe and enjoy the patriotism Artillery Relocation Training Program 11-1 at the of this holiday weekend. THIS Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan. ISSUE IN PGS. 6-7 PG. 10 okinawa marine | OPINION & EDITORIAL | July 1, 2011 2 Around Independence Day message Corpsthe his year, we celebrate our nation’s 235th year of indepen- dence. The Declaration of Independence, signed July 4, 1776 in TPhiladelphia by the Continental Congress, is a document, writ- ten by patriots over 200 years ago, that continues to inspire us today. Independence Day is more than a chance for friends and family throughout the country to gather for cookouts and fire- works displays. It is time to commemorate the courage and faith of our nation’s independence and our many freedoms. Marines deployed to various theaters around the world continue to en- Cpl. William T. Alder provides aerial observation from the sure America’s freedoms; exemplifying the courage our founding ramp of a MV-22B Osprey as it flies over southwestern fathers exhibited in their pursuit of liberty. July 4 is not only the Afghanistan June 22. Alder is an Osprey crew chief deployed with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264, birthday of our nation’s independence, but continues to provide Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II hope for those seeking liberty throughout the world. Marine Expeditionary Force, deployed out of Marine Liberty for the holiday weekend commences at 4:30 p.m., July Corps Air Station New River, N.C. Photo by Cpl. Rashaun X. James 1 and ends at 7:30 a.m., July 6. Capt. Lisa Lawrence, Commanders will maintain proper accountability of the per- the first female sonnel in their command who live in the barracks. Daily sight adjutant for a Marine Barracks Washington or verbal verification of well-being is required. It is my intent parade, marches off that throughout the holiday period, we account for every one of the parade deck after receiving the report our Marines and sailors, ensuring their safety and welfare. One from the Marine Band person lost is one too many! drum major during a As we take time to celebrate our nation’s independence, I Friday Evening Parade at Marine Barracks expect each of you to take responsibility for yourselves, your 8th & I, Washington families and one another this weekend, and conduct yourselves D.C., June 24. honorably. Don’t drink and drive. Photo by Cpl. Austin Hazard Semper Fidelis, Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr. III MEF Commanding General MBCJ Commander Join Okinawa Marine online • www.marines.mil/unit/mcbjapan Marines and supporters of Marine Week St. Louis 2011, run past Lt. Col. Shane Tomco at the start of the St. • www.facebook.com/iiimef.mcbj • www.youtube.com/3mefcpao Louis Marine Week Honor Run 5k June 25. About 700 participants raced through the streets of St. Louis • www.flickr.com/3mefpao • www.twitter.com/okinawamarines past the static displays for Marine Week. Marine Week provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of the Marine Corps’ value to our nation’s defense and to preserve and mature the Corps’ relationship with the American people. Photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob D. Osborne COMMANDING GENERAL Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri OKINAWA MARINE NEWSPAPER H&S Battalion MCB PAO PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR Lt. Col. David M. Griesmer Unit 35002 FPO AP 96373-5002 PRESS OFFICER 2nd Lt. Evan A. Almaas CENTRAL BUREAU The Okinawa Marine is published by Marine Corps Community Services Marine Corps, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler or Marine Corps Com- PRESS CHIEF Gunnery Sgt. J. L. Wright Jr. Camp Foster under exclusive written contract with Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, munity Services of the products and services advertised. DSN 645-9335 Okinawa, Japan. Everything advertised in this newspaper shall be made available for purchase, DESIGN EDITOR Audra A. Satterlee The editorial content of this newspaper is edited and approved by the Consoli- use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, dated Public Affairs Office of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler. marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor NORTHERN BUREAU This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of military services of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity Camp Hansen stationed overseas, at sea and their families. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising DSN 623-4224 official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Marine from that source until the violation is corrected. Corps and do not imply endorsement thereof. All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are “official U.S. Marine Corps photos.” The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts of supple- For more information, e-mail us at [email protected] or write to us SOUTHERN BUREAU ments, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the U.S. at Public Affairs Office, H&S BN MCB PAO, Unit 35002, FPO AP 96373-5002. Camp Kinser 090-6861-7690 okinawa marine | NEWS | July 1, 2011 Marines conduct CBRN training during ARTP 11-13 Pfc. Daniel E. Valle OKINAWA MARINE STAFF CAMP FUJI, Japan — Ma- rines with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, conducted chemical, biological, radio- logical and nuclear training at the East Fuji Maneuver Area here June 25 during a simulated radiological haz- ard scenario. The battalion, part of 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, con- ducted the training to famil- iarize Marines with how to conduct live-fire, artillery operations while dealing with a CBRN threat. The training was a priority for Lt. Col. Ricardo Miagany, the battalion commander, be- cause it incorporated lessons Marines learned firsthand during Operation Tomoda- Staff Sgt.