III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan February 23, 2007 www.okinawa.usmc.mil FALLEN HONORED The military community on Okinawa came together this week to honor the memories of Cpls. Tom E. Saba and Jennifer Parcell, who were killed in separate incidents Feb. 7 while supporting operations in Iraq. Saba, with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, was killed Saba when his helicopter crashed during a casualty evacuation mission. Parcell, with Combat Logistics Regiment 3, was killed when a woman she was searching detonated an explosive device. SEE STORIES ON PAGE 7 Parcell A Marine with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, patrols Camp Schwab looking for mock aggressors during a pre-deployment training exercise run by 4th Marine MCB celebrates African Regiment’s Regimental Schools Feb. 8. Photo by Lance Cpl. Corey A. Blodgett American History Month Regimental Schools wraps up fi rst Lance Cpl. Juan D. Alfonso for equality is far from over, OKINAWA MARINE STAFF said Master Sgt. Juanita Moore, the equal opportu- pre-deployment training course CAMP FOSTER — Black nity representative with Americans have fought for Headquarters and Service Lance Cpl. Corey A. Blodgett Martial Arts and Corporals’ Leadership freedom and equality since Battalion, Marine Corps OKINAWA MARINE STAFF Courses,” Lintz said. “But we got the word colonial times. They won Base Camp Butler, who or- that we were going to switch and become that battle on many fronts in ganized the event. CAMP SCHWAB — The 4th Marine Reg- a cadre of instructors that comes up here the United States, but there The celebration promoted iment’s Regimental Schools conducted to 4th Marines and would be responsible are still places in America equality and integration of its pre-deployment training program solely for PTP.” and throughout the world all races while honoring the Jan. 22-Feb. 16 for the first time since the Before Regimental Schools was imple- that refuse to change, places memories of African Ameri- school’s creation in December. mented, the division’s training section where racism still exists and cans who have contributed The Regimental Schools, once a part would take individual Marines from their the fight for equality costs to the fight for equality, of 3rd Marine Division Schools, was cre- regular place of duty to be PTP instruc- people their lives. Moore said. ated as a specialized school with a core of tors, said Gunnery Sgt. Tony A. Polzin, To advocate the fight for The fight for equality has about 15 instructors, according to Staff Sgt. the Regimental Schools’ staff non-com- equality, service members never been an easy one, Moore Larry R. Lintz, the PTP staff non-commis- missioned officer-in-charge. stationed on Camp Foster said. It is a battle felt more by sioned officer-in-charge for the Regimental “They were pulling Marines from 4th and Kadena Air Base cel- the military community than Schools. The instructors are now dedi- Marines, 12th Marines, Combat Assault ebrated African American most might know. cated solely to providing pre-deployment Battalion and 3rd Reconnaissance Bat- History Month Feb. 15 at the “Freedom isn’t free,” said training to 3rd MarDiv Marines preparing talion and putting together a little train- Foster Community Center. guest speaker Jacqueline for operations in support of Operation ing package to train deploying Marines,” The theme for this year’s Daniels, the MCB resource Enduring Freedom, he said. Polzin said. “But they were pulling guys observance, “Waiting for evaluation and analysis of- “(As Division Schools), we were re- out of their regular jobs to do this, so they the World to Change,” is a ficer. “We, the military com- sponsible for a number of different train- weren’t necessarily the best people that reflection of current events munity, know this better ing (programs) such as Marine Corps SEE SCHOOL PG 6 and a reminder that the fight SEE HISTORY PG 6 SWEAT, THEN BABY SIT CELEBRATING TRADITION FUN OF FUNDAMENTALS Parent volunteers successful in Okinawa World, the island’s largest American and Okinawan kids receive establishing a childcare fi tness theme park, features a variety of expert instruction from top athletes cooperative room at Gunners Fitness traditional culture and crafts, as well during a baseball clinic hosted by a Center on Camp Foster. as Japan’s second-largest cave. Japanese professional team. INSIDE pg. 8 pg. 12 pg. 17 OKINAWA MARINE | NEWS | FEBRUARY 23, 2007 3 Around the MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO Drill Instructor Sgt. Marvin Walker ensures Pvt. Sean Tvedt understands his instruction during a bayonet assault course Feb. 2. For more Marine Corps stories and photos, Photo by Lance Cpl. Robert W. Beaver Cvisit http://www.orpmarines.mil S MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. | A student at the Aircraft Survival Training Center completes a refresher course Feb. 7 that is required every four years for air crew members. Photo by Lance Cpl. George J. Papastrat CAMP BAHARIA, Iraq A memorial in honor of Cpl. Mark D. Kidd, from Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, is displayed Feb. 3. Kidd died Jan. 25 from wounds received while conducting combat operations in the Anbar province of Iraq. Photo by Cpl. Samuel D. MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. | A maintenance Marine with Corum Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 ratchets a mooring anchor to a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter rotor blade Feb. 6. Photo by Cpl. Peter R. Miller OKINAWA MARINE | OPINION & EDITORIAL | FEBRUARY 23, 2007 5 Why is Black History Month still necessary? Lance Cpl. Terence L. Yancey History Month. Black history is American his- society has evolved to the point where Black tory.” History Month and other similar observations his month is Black History Month, and While I agree with Freeman that Black and are no longer necessary. But the fact that the along with it comes the annual debate on American history are one, I don’t agree with debate even exists proves that there is still a Twhy an entire month is set aside to recog- his assertion that the month is ridiculous. lot of room for improvement. nize one group of people. The observance began in 1926 as Negro Racism and intolerance still exist in Opposition to Black History Month comes History Week. It was a way of highlighting the America and probably to a larger extent than in many forms, from those who wonder why significant role of blacks in American history, many realize. Despite improvements in educa- there isn’t a White History Month to those which was largely ignored at the time. The tion philosophies and opportunities, a lot of who feel that constantly thinking about things observance took place during the week in Feb- Americans still don’t know many things about in terms of race just prolongs the existence of ruary that Frederick Douglas’ and Abraham their history, which includes the history of all racism. These views are expressed by people Lincoln’s birthdays fell on. people in the country. of all races and come not only during Black When Carter G. Woodson created the ob- We focus on specific groups that have been History Month but during any period of time servance, he hoped that it would one day be oppressed throughout history because by set aside to recognize a specific group. eliminated and black history would be fully understanding their struggles, hopefully, we It was just a little more than a year ago that integrated into American history. However, in can prevent anything similar from ever hap- actor Morgan Freeman called Black History 1976, the week-long observance was expanded pening again. The key to accomplishing this is Month “ridiculous” during an interview on to a month. Despite the progress made since education, and education is the purpose Black “60-Minutes.” its inception, the observance was more neces- History Month serves. “You’re going to relegate my history to a sary than ever. Yancey is a staff member of the Okinawa month?” Freeman said. “I don’t want a Black Today, many would argue that American Marine newspaper. ‘Flags of Our Fathers’ book delves into lives of men on Iwo Jima Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Todd Rene Gagnon have flashbacks dur- the battle as the movie does, James fore the invasion and during the ing the tour. Bradley gives a brief history of each flag raising. But they, and all the have read the book and seen the I am not trying to slam the flag raiser’s childhood. He gives men who fought and died on Iwo movie “Flags of Our Fathers” movie; I very much enjoyed it and great detail to each aspect of their Jima, should be remembered. They and although the movie was thought Clint Eastwood did a won- lives, from the time they enlisted, should especially be remembered Ifantastic, I don’t think that the one derful job. I just feel that, to repeat to their training and struggle con- because, according to the three chapter it focuses on is enough to the common cliche, “The book is quering Mount Suribachi. survivors, they were the real heroes tell the whole story. much better than the movie.” In the movie as well as the book, of Iwo Jima. I recently asked several people With the book, I got a feel for I noticed the quote: “The only he- If you have seen the movie and who have seen the movie but have each of the flag raisers’ personali- roes are the ones who didn’t come loved it or are thinking about pur- not read the book to name the six ties.