Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. William Vivian, commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine regiment,...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Community leaders from San Clemente, Calif., visited Marines and sailors from 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, as they trained at the Infantry Immersion Trainer, June 15.
The citizens of San Clemente were given an opportunity to glimpse into the life of a 2/4 Marine.
“The city of San Clemente wanted some of the council members and citizens to come out and see some of the training the Marines do for their next deployment to Afghanistan,” said Albert Ehlow, retired police chief of San Clemente and prior Marine. “It brings the city in with the Marines who spend time in their town.”
The visiting citizens of San Clemente also helped the Marines and sailors train by simulating a congressional delegation visiting service members deployed in Afghanistan.
“For the Marines, having the city of San Clemente come out and be involved in their training gives them a partnership with the city,” said Dan Liesik, the 2/4 family readiness officer, “They feel welcome and they know the town right next to them wants them around and wants to be involved in their lives.”
The visitors arrived to the IIT in a simulated congressional convoy. They toured the facility, including both the indoor and outdoor simulated Afghan towns. The facility features realistic buildings, special effects, and actors to simulate the environment of an Afghan village.
“I think it blew them away,” said Liesik. “They came in with a certain idea of what it was they were going to see today and it became something far more.”
Ehlow said he learned the value of the IIT as a simulated combat environment for the Marines to get realistic experience.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said. “I’ve been to combat towns myself before, but never anything like this. It’s very realistic and meaningful. I think it may even help save some lives over there.”
San Clemente adopted 2/4 in 1996 and has had a close relationship with the unit ever since.
“The city wanted to show support for the Marines and sailors of 1st Marine Division for being good neighbors and defending our country,” said Ehlow.
Each visitor learned how to prepare a meal-ready-to-eat and finished the day with a meal in the field.
“Everybody that came today was extraordinarily excited about what they saw and did,” said Liesik. “They left very motivated and with a passion to help Marines.”
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.23.2011 11:39 |
| Story ID: | 72601 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, San Clemente community leaders visit 2/4 Marines, by Sgt Eugenio Montanez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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