Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 recently conducted a battlefield study, which provided their non-commissioned officers with a valuable, historical primary military education on various wars and battles. The field study also incorporated different sights, many of which the Marines have never seen.
One stop included in the visit was to Arlington National Cemetery, which houses thousands of the nation’s fallen heroes and the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The engineers, motor transport operators and mechanics from MWSS-273 spent four days away from Fightertown and stayed in Quantico, Va., while also visiting Washington.
“Thinking of the number of casualties that America suffered then and comparing them to what we lose now, is hard to comprehend. Today, we may have lost 5,000, but then, they were losing numbers as high, as 10,000,” said. 1st Lt. Rodney Daniels, the motor transport officer for the Sweathogs. “It is important for us to understand the significance of what those who came before us fought and died for.”
As leaders of Marines, the NCOs were selected to go on the PME after completing essays on the historical landmarks and battles. One of the first stops was to visit the site where the battle of Fredericksburg was fought. There they learned of the uphill battle union soldiers fought against the Confederates in 1862.
“A lot of what happened in the past started as an idea and many don’t understand how powerful that can be,” Daniels said. “People have died for their ideas and the power of words led many to action.”
Next up was the trip to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, which captured moments from many historical battles and moments of the Marine Corps history like the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Battle of Chapultepec and more.
“It is not everyday that you see something like this, it’s truly motivating,” said Sgt. Ryan Rambo, the maintenance shop chief for MWSS-273. “I’m really glad I was able to experience this.”
Each day, the Marines were privileged enough to walk among the thousands of heroes, who managed to collectively shape the nation into what it is now. From cannons that were used in wars fought centuries ago, to standing on the same ground that their predecessors bled on, the Sweathogs came into direct contact with the past.
“This is something I hope they take to heart,” said Staff Sgt Joseph Plante, the engineer company 1st sergeant. “Things were very different then from the way they are now and we can learn a lot by looking at the past. I’ve heard those who don’t heed the past are doomed to repeat it and so there are a lot of lessons we can take from this experience.”
The Sweathogs left Virginia with a lot more than just a history lesson, many, if not all, left with a stronger sense of pride in their country.
| Date Taken: |
05.02.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
05.20.2011 15:35 |
| Story ID: |
70777 |
| Location: |
BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: |
47 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, Sweathogs conduct battle study of the past, by Cpl Joshua Pettway, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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