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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Every year around midsummer, about
midday, you can spot an arguably peculiar event beginning to form up
in the thick grassy plains and dirt roads leading from the Los
Pulgas area of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Down
the path the entire 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, led
by a bagpiper, comes marching in a scene reminiscent of the Royal
Scots Fusiliers in the Great War as they head to Red Beach, an area
used for the Marine Corps' forte: amphibious operations and
training. And when they get to the beach they begin to compete in
games and feast in true warrior fashion.
The tradition,
known as the Highlander Games Warrior Night, was instituted in 1998
and corresponds with the Battalion's anniversary. It pays homage to
the traditions of the famous Scottish Soldiers of the past after
whom the battalion is nicknamed, the Highlanders.
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Lt. Col. Christian M. Rankin (right), commanding officer,1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and Sgt. Maj. Steven M. Burkett (left), the battalion sergeant major, salute the national and organizational colors during the battalion's 30th anniversary rededication ceremony, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Calif., July 1, 2015. After the ceremony, the Marines and Sailors of the battalion hiked to a nearby beach and held the annual Highlander Games Warrior Night. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Bobbie A. Curtis)
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To celebrate the battalion's 30th Anniversary,
festivities kicked off with a rededication ceremony
highlighting the combat unit's short but illustrious battle
history.
During the precisely executed ceremony, Lt.
Col. Christian M. Rankin, the battalion's commanding
officer, stood before a formation of the four companies that
comprise his unit and attached the battle streamers the unit
has earned to the battalion's organizational colors.
A bell rang in honor of the
men who have lost their lives in service to their nation as
part of the battalion.
“Today is about reflection –
reflecting on our purpose, reflecting on our history,
reflecting on those who came before us, and reflecting on
the future,” stated Rankin as he addressed his men and the
guest who attended the event.
He added that the
annual time for reflection was not only to think about
history and sacrifice, but also a way for his Marines and
Sailors to feel a connection to the unit's forefathers, and
to define the obligation they have to those who will follow
in their own footsteps.
“Please think about this for
a moment: if we as human beings – as Marines and Sailors –
have no connection with or need for those who have come
before us, and if we have no responsibility or obligation to
those who come after us, then our personal and professional
lives would have little meaning,” he said.
Shortly
after the speech, the battalion formed up and moved out to
the sound of bagpipes, marching approximately three miles to
the beach, where they conducted several friendly
competitions.
Games included grappling, a Humvee
pull, tug-o-war, and the culminating event: the caber toss.
During this event, a heavy pole is thrown for distance.
After completing the games, the Marines and Sailors
enjoyed a camaraderie-filled atmosphere around a bonfire
while feasting on barbeque and listing to live music as
played by a local Irish-Scottish-style rock band.
By U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Bobbie A. Curtis
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
The U.S. Marines
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