USA Patriotism! ... "Showcasing Pride of America"USA Store! ... American / Patriotic themed gift products at USA Patriotism!

Home - Articles - USA's Birth - Great Patriots - Heroes - Honor Halls - Music - Photos
Poems - Quotes - Reference - Speeches - Stars for Troops - Stories - Student Patriots
Videos - New Content
- About - Contact - Submit - Press
- CureNow - Donate
- Privacy

Click Here To Google Search
 For USA Patriotism! Content
USA Patriotism! YouTube Channel Join / Like the USA Patriotism! Facebook pagePinterestLinkedInUSA Patriotism! Instagram ChannelUSA Patriotism! On TwitterUSA Patriotism! at Flickr

Patriotic Article
Military

Collectibles, apparel, and other gifts ... for Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and veterans! Checks with USA, military, and other patriotic designs Free Gifts from The Bradford Exchange Online

Always A Marine ... Fighting For Freedom
by U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jocelyn Ontiveros
October 30, 2017

USA Flag Coverings
Satute of Liberty / Flag Mugs and Steins

 USA, military, and other patriotic themed pullover and button down Polo shirts

USA Flag and other American Theme Caps and Hats

From a young age, 1st Sgt. Gilbert G. Oshana knew he wanted to serve his country. He wanted to give back to the nation that had given him so much and had blessed his family. Oshana’s love for the United States and desire to serve led him to enlist in the Marine Corps, and his love for his country has continued to grow throughout his years of service.

Oshana’s parents applied for a visa to come to America and left the life they knew in Iran in search of the American Dream in White Plains, New York.

“My parents came to this country for the opportunities and religious freedom that were not available in Iran,” said Oshana.

His parents belief in the opportunities provided by the United States and the advantages it could provide their family remains with Oshana to this day.

“I fundamentally believe in this country and everything it has blessed me with, which is why I decided to join the Marine Corps,” said Oshana.

September 24, 2017 - Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Gilbert G. Oshana at an undisclosed location during deployment proudly serving his country for 20 years ... and nowhere near close to leaving the Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jocelyn Ontiveros)
September 24, 2017 - Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Gilbert G. Oshana at an undisclosed location during deployment proudly serving his country for 20 years ... and nowhere near close to leaving the Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jocelyn Ontiveros)

Oshana recalled being a corporal stationed in Okinawa, Japan and being woken up in the middle of the night to phone calls about the towers being attacked on September 11 2001.

“Due to this tragedy, we deployed to Afghanistan in support of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and I knew my time in the Marine Corps had only begun,” said Oshana.

Oshana wanted to continue serving in the Marine Corps and keep contributing to the fight, so in 2004 he set out to be a drill instructor. Now responsible for shaping future Marines that would go on to face the same challenges he did, their desire to serve moved him.

“The recruits going through the depot at the time I was there enlisted because of the events that took place on 9/11,” noted the New York native. “All these recruits decided to enlist during a time of war, and not surprisingly, they all had infantry military occupational specialties. I found that very admirable.”

Oshana remembers checking the names of Marines killed in action - and seeing some of his former recruits.

“Seeing those names was something that pushed me to give 110% and continue the legacy of those heroes,” said Oshana.

After his tour being a drill instructor Oshana returned to Iraq in 2008 on a brigade-level team to advise the Iraqi army.

“After the liberation of Iraq I saw a shift in the way people carried themselves, but I knew it would take a while for people there to grasp what freedom feels like and how to live in it because it would be a cultural change,” said Oshana.

It wasn’t a question whether he was reenlisting or not.

“Going to battle against terrorism in a part of the world close to an area once considered home by my family made me feel responsible to do something to help - to be part of the solution and provide the opportunities I had,” he said.

As Oshana progressed in his career, he decided he wanted to be an infantry first sergeant. He wanted to have a company of Marines he could influence and have an impact on.

“I was exposed to great leadership. Those warriors raised me - that’s why I’m here,” said Oshana. “I want to inject that warrior spirit into my Marines and teach them to be good leaders.” After 20 years of service, Oshana is nowhere near close to leaving the Corps.

“I feel like I still have a lot to give back to this country and I’m ready to jump on the next deployment even though I’m still not done with this one,” he laughed.

By U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jocelyn Ontiveros
Provided through DVIDS
Copyright 2017

The U.S. Marines | Comment on this article

USA Gifts Store! ... over 1,000 American / Patriotic themed products at USA Patriotism! USA / Americana theme ... polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts, hats, caps, swimwear, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, jackets, under garments, and other apparel items American Pride: Poems Honoring America and Her Patriots! by David G. Bancroft