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Marines and Sailors from 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th
Marine Division, joined each other in Boston on Oct. 8, 2016, to
commemorate the 10th anniversary of their deployment to Fallujah,
Iraq.
The service members gathered to recognize and reflect
on their accomplishments during their seven-month mobilization in
2006.
From March through October 2006, 1/25 Marines and Sailors
conducted thousands of patrols and participated in several
regimental-size operations such as searching stores, clearing
suicide bombs, controlling entry points into and out of the city,
and networking with local youth. Additionally, they played a
significant role in eliminating and capturing some of al-Qaeda's top
leadership officials.
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October 8, 2016 - Marines and Sailors from 1st Battalion, 25th
Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, gather at the Massachusetts
Fallen Heroes Memorial during the unit's 10-year reunion, The
service members gathered to reflect and recognize the
accomplishments of their deployment to Fallujah, Iraq, as well as
memorialize the lives of their fallen brothers. (U.S. Marine Corps
photo by Cpl. Melissa Martens)
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“Far too often your time in the Marine Corps is just a chapter in
a book and once that chapter closes, you lose that bond with some of
the guys you served with,” said Sgt. Maj. Matthew Fortune,
Inspector-Instructor Sergeant Major of 1/25. “This is a time for
them to get together, break bread, talk about the things they went
through and bring that brotherhood back together.”
Gold Star
families from 25th Marine Regiment were present and honored at the
reunion. During the unit's deployment, 10 Marines and one Sailor
were killed in action. An emotional wreath laying ceremony for those
who lost their lives was held at the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes
Memorial as part of the reunion's scheduled events.
“The family members of the fallen are so
strong and this is a great way for us to get together, show them our
support and never forget that their loved ones laid down their lives
for us,” said Benjamin Fortier, former lance corporal who served
with 1/25. “When you go to a ceremony for a fallen service member it
is always humbling and you realize that when you sign that contract,
you are taking an oath and putting yourself on the line.”
The Marines and Sailors from 25th Marine Regiment viewed this
reunion not only as a chance to catch up with each other, but as a
way to make sure their brothers were taking care of themselves.
“A reunion like this is what we would call a health and wellness
check,” said Fortier. “To get that face-to-face connection and to
catch up with people is great. We're all coming together and
checking up on each other to make sure that 10 years later everyone
is doing better than they did when we came home.”
The
Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller, is calling
2016 “the year of reunions.” A video message for 25th Marine
Regiment from Neller was played during the event. He thanked the
service members for all they did in Fallujah and reminded them to
continue to look out for one another.
“I am proud to say that
I saw what you did out there, saw the sacrifices you made and I know
how well you served, so thank you for that,” said Neller. “I know
you are taking care of each other, staying in contact and helping
each other get on with their lives.”
The guest of honor at
the reunion was Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, commanding general
of III Marine Expeditionary Force. Nicholson was the commander of
5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, in 2006, and deployed with
25th Marine Regiment to Fallujah. He spoke to the service members
about how proud he was of their actions and how the difference they
made will never be forgotten.
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October 8, 2016 - Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicolson (left), commanding
general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Lt. Col. Jason
Borovies (right), Inspector-Instructor of 1st Battalion, 25th Marine
Regiment, 4th Marine Division, place a wreath at the Massachusetts
Fallen Heroes Memorial during 25th Marine Regiment's 10-year
reunion. The wreath was laid to honor the 11 fallen service members
who died during the units deployment to Fallujah, Iraq, in 2006.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Melissa Martens)
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“There is a connection here that will be unbroken for the
rest of your lives,” said Nicholson. “You are Fallujah
Marines until the day you die. They will talk about you long
after you are gone. The way we talk about Guadalcanal
Marines and Iwo Jima Marines today, is how they will talk
about you.”
As the service members raised their
glasses in a toast to one another, they agreed that 10 years
is far too long to wait for another reunion. They hope to
continue to stay in touch, check in on one another and
reunite in the near future.
By U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Melissa Martens
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
The U.S. Marines
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