Deployed U.S. Marines Keep Patriotism High In Afghanistan
(October 25, 2010) |
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Sgt. John Leavens (left) and Lance Cpl. Devin Reyna, Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), stand proudly in front of the flag poles they constructed displaying the National Colors and Marine Corps flag in the CLB-2 compound at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Oct. 19. The Marines volunteered several weeks of their time to gather materials and construct the flag poles to display the colors with pride. |
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (MCN -10/22/2010)
— Standing tall in the Combat Logistics
Battalion 2 compound here is a symbol of
patriotism, pride and initiative.
The United States flag and Marine Corps colors
wave proudly above the compound due to the
efforts of two CLB-2 Marines currently deployed
to Afghanistan in support of the International
Security Assistance Force.
Sgt. John Leavens and Lance Cpl. Devin Reyna
constructed a flag pole in their spare time to
give the battalion a place to proudly display
the colors.
Taking the initiative and volunteering countless
hours, the Marines created plans, gathered
materials and assembled the dual flag poles
within a few weeks of starting the project.
Along with the national colors and Marine Corps
flag flying beside each other, the Marines also
constructed the display to hold the companies'
and battalion's guidons, which are smaller flags
representative of each unit.
“I wanted to do something that will motivate
everyone,” said Sgt. John Leavens, lead
navigator with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company,
CLB-2, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), I
Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
“Whenever I look at the flagpole, I always get
courage and motivation,” said Lance Cpl. Devin
Reyna, metal worker with Maintenance Platoon,
Headquarters and Service Company, CLB-2, 1st MLG
(FWD), 19, from Corpus Christi, Texas.
“Motivation because of being in Afghanistan and
constructing something that makes it that much
better for |
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everyone out here.” |
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The Marines' hard work and dedication will be displayed here
as long as Marines are serving aboard Camp Leatherneck.
“It was very motivating to see Marines take time out of
their very busy schedule to hand-make the flag poles and do
all the work to put them up,” said Sgt. Maj. Tracy Linch,
battalion sergeant major, CLB-2, 1st MLG (FWD). “The flags
came out awesome; they fly high above the CLB-2 compound
with pride and honor to our country and Corps.”
Since the completion of the project, the flag display has
been utilized for re-enlistment, promotion and awards
ceremonies, and flying the colors at half mast in memory of
a fallen comrade.
“When someone chooses to have their re-enlistment ceremony
in front of something that [you built], that's when you know
they are proud of it,” said Leavens, 31, from Hammondsport,
N.Y.
As the Marines of CLB-2 prepare to complete their tour in
Afghanistan, they know they are leaving a monumental piece
of patriotism for future units who support the
counterinsurgency mission here.
“When we started the project, we wanted to make sure they
will last for the battalions after us, to hold the tradition
of displaying the colors with pride,” said Reyna. |
Article and photo by Cpl. Shannon E. McMillan
1st Marine Logistics Group (FWD)
Copyright 2010 | |
Reprinted from
Marine
Corps News
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