Photo By Cpl. Mark Watola | Medal of Honor recipient retired Col. Barney Barnum shakes hands and speaks with...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Medal of Honor recipients visited Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune to share their experiences and motivate present-day military members during Warrior Talks, held at the base theater, Jan. 20 and 21.
Retired Col. Barney Barnum and retired Army Maj. Drew Dix served and earned their Medals of Honor during the Vietnam War, and continue to serve today by visiting military installations to share their stories with service members.
“I came here as a grateful American to say thank you,” said Barnum, who received the Medal of Honor in 1965. “I want them to feel proud, get back from their deployment with a bounce in their step and get back to training because we live in a very unstable, volatile world and they will be called upon again. It’s not a matter of if, but when.”
Barnum and Dix spoke to Marines about the importance of leadership, their experiences and suicide prevention, in addition to motivating them to be ready to fight.
“I want to impress on them that they’re carrying on the tradition,” said Barnum. “To let Marines know to do what they are supposed to, and don’t do what they aren’t supposed to.”
After both Barnum and Dix gave a brief explanation of their experience and key points, they opened the floor to questions about triumph over adversity in combat, changes to the Marine Corps over time and principles of leadership.
“I thought the visit was great,” said Cpl. Dammius Bennett, field radio operator with 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, native. “There was a lot of information that was passed about leadership; to be involved as a noncommissioned officer, show leadership and look out for your Marines.”
Barnum said he doesn’t wear the medal to glorify his actions, but to let people know that he’s had the experience to lead and care for other Marines.
“Those of us that have earned the title of Marine are mentors, and it’s up to us to pass on lessons learned and make our Corps better,” said Barnum.
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.22.2015 13:00 |
| Story ID: | 152473 |
| Location: | NC, US |
| Web Views: | 42 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Medal of Honor recipients visit base for Warrior Talks, by Cpl Mark Watola, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT