1st Marine Division celebrates 70th anniversary at Camp Leatherneck

Photo By Lance Cpl. Glen Santy | Sgt. Steven Sabo, a bandsmen and armory security Marine, with Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), performs during the 70th anniversary ceremony, Feb. 1. Sabo, a trombone player, along with the other bandsmen, played their rendition of, “When the Saints Go Marching In,” “Brooklyn” and “Chameleon” and closed the ceremony with “Waltzing Matilda,” “Anchors Away” and the “Marine’s Hymn.”  

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

02.01.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Glen Santy 

1st Marine Division

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -The Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Division (Forward) celebrates the Blue Diamond 70th anniversary at Camp Leatherneck, Feb. 1.

Brig. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, commanding general, 1st MarDiv(Fwd), and Sgt. Maj. Phillip Fascetti, 1st MarDiv(Fwd) sergeant major, hosted more than 200 service members and guests, including Maj. Gen Richard Mills, commanding general of Regional Command (Southwest), Maj. Gen. Sayed Malook, commanding general, 215th Corps, Afghan National Army, and Sgt. Maj. Micheal Barrett, RC (SW) sergeant major.

While in route to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, aboard the Battleship Texas, the 1st Marine Division, the oldest, proudest and most decorated unit in the Marine Corps, was activated, Feb. 1, 1941. Seventy years later the Marines and sailors celebrate that day with cake and music while serving in Afghanistan.

The Marines and sailors celebrated the division’s birthday by calling on the 1st MarDiv(Fwd) Band to play jazz and funk renditions of, “When the Saints Go Marching In,”, “Brooklyn,” and “Chameleon.”

“Playing in front of all those people was nerve racking, but exciting,” said Cpl. Robert Sushinski, a bandsmen and armory security Marine, with Headquarters Battalion, 1st MarDiv(Fwd). “It was cool seeing all of the higher ups, and it was really enjoyable playing for everyone.”

“I thought the ceremony was really good,” said Cpl. Lindsay Sayres, a combat photographer with 1st Marine Division, attached to Regional Command (SW). “It’s great to be able to celebrate our tradition even though we’re in Afghanistan.”

During the ceremony, Osterman spoke to the Marines about the history, importance and pride of the Blue Diamond.

“Over this past year we’ve gone from a situation where we were reacting to the enemy, to where we are now the ambusher and the enemy fears every day we are on the battlefield,” Osterman said. “I just want to say happy birthday Marines and sailors. You’ve added a wonderful year to the division and its accomplishments. It is one that will go down in history as a year that was very challenging yet very successful.”

The division is comprised of Regimental Combat Team 1 and 2, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines and 2nd Reconnaissance. The Marines here are in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“I’m really new to the division, so it’s my first anniversary with them,” said Sushinski. “It’s nice to see that even out here we have time for tradition and ceremonies.”

The 1st Marine Division’s symbol, the Blue Diamond, isn’t just a badge or unit marking for the division service members that serve under it. For the Marines and sailors who serve under it, it’s a symbol of pride.

For the Marines and sailors in Guadalcanal during World War II to Afghanistan today, celebrating the 1st Marine Division’s birthday honors all who have served and given their lives to make it what it is today.

• Date Taken: 02.01.2011
• Date Posted: 02.02.2011 15:16
• Story ID: 64667
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF