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    2nd MEB families rest assured after town hall meeting

    2nd MEB Families Rest Assured After Town Hall Meeting

    Photo By Cpl. Meghan Canlas | Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force,...... read more read more

    CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

    08.14.2009

    Story by Cpl. Meghan Canlas 

    II Marine Expeditionary Force   

    CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Families of Marines and sailors deployed with 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade had a chance to voice concerns to Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at a town hall meeting aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 11.

    "Tonight provided an opportunity for [Hejlik] to field questions and address concerns of the family members," said George Dentel, family readiness officer for II MEF.

    Questions focused on a wide range of topics including the length of the deployment, leave, mail, income tax concerns, morale of the unit and even suicide.

    "Suicide is always a concern," Hejlik said. "Any time you lose a Marine or Sailor, you lose an asset you will never get back. But I would tell you that from what I've seen, morale in Afghanistan is better than Iraq. Marines and Sailors love what their doing. They're living expeditionary — sleeping on cots, just starting to get regular showers and hot [meals,] but morale is absolutely great!"

    Another big issue was connectivity issues between the families and their deployed loved ones

    "Afghanistan isn't Iraq. The infrastructure is not like it is in Iraq," Hejlik explained. "Things are slowly getting up to connectivity. [Brig. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, commanding general, 2nd MEB,] just opened the first internet café, but I'll tell you what, do this — write a letter. You'd be amazed at what a letter does for morale on both sides!"

    After discussing the long-range plan for Afghanistan, family members brought up the possibility of Marines and sailors being extended past their end of active service date.

    "There is no stop-loss in the Marine Corps," Hejlik confirmed. "If a Marine or sailor is scheduled to [leave the military at the expiration of their contract], they will not be stopped."

    As the evening progressed, family members felt more at ease with the knowledge they gained.

    "He was very honest and humorous," said the wife of 1st Lt. Adam Pierce, intelligence officer, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd MEB. "I wanted to make sure my husband and I had the same information, and [Hejlik] addressed all of my concerns."

    As the evening drew to an end, Hejlik expressed how the Marine Corps/Navy family support system's efforts have an uplifting affect on troops in Afghanistan.

    "We always thank Marines and sailors for what they do because they do it so well, but I couldn't have stayed in the Marine Corps for 39 years with out the backbone of family," He explained. "You really are the strength behind the Marine or sailor."

    For more information on the II Marine Expeditionary Force, visit the unit's web site at www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.14.2009
    Date Posted: 08.14.2009 12:11
    Story ID: 37497
    Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US

    Web Views: 279
    Downloads: 249

    PUBLIC DOMAIN