Honoring the patron saint: artillerymen celebrate St. Barbara’s Day in Afghanistan

News: Honoring the patron saint: artillerymen celebrate St. Barbara’s Day in Afghanistan

2nd Marine Division

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Story by Cpl. Jeff Drew Follow This Journalist

Jeff Drew

Carson City, Nev., native Master Sgt. Max Robertson (right), the field artillery chief with 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, stands at attention during opening ceremonies of the St. Barbara’s Day celebration. Robertson wore the St. Barbara’s Medal for his years of work within the artillery field. “It’s a great honor, just like being a Marine,” mentioned Robertson. “It’s a great honor to walk amongst your fellow artillerymen, and they can recognize that you have contributed to the community.”

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Afghanistan – Marines with 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, smiled as all in attendance lifted their cups in a toast to honor the patron saint of artillery, Saint Barbara.

According to legend, the tyrant Dioscorus, a pagan, kept his daughter Barbara secluded in a tower to shelter her from the world. In her solitude she gave herself to prayer and became a Christian. Her father, infuriated by her conversion, had his daughter tortured and eventually acted as her executioner for her beheading. As punishment for her death, God struck Dioscorus with lightning and consumed him in flame.

Due to her connection with lightning, Barbara is often called upon to protect against thunder, lightning or accidents involving explosions or gunpowder.

The day's celebration brought together Marines, soldiers and guests within the artillery community to celebrate their love and passion for the job and observe the tradition of St. Barbara’s Day.

“It’s an honor; it’s a brotherhood of fellow artillerymen, the closeness and tightness of the community – we stick together,” said Carson City, Nev., native Master Sgt. Max Robertson, the battalion’s field artillery chief. “At any time you see another field artilleryman, you can easily understand one another. I’m proud to be in a combat environment and be able to call out to all the artillerymen, even in the Army, and get together to celebrate St. Barbara.”

The celebration consisted of skits representing artillery life and the presentation of the artillery punch, a mixture of different beverages, to the guest of honor, Maj. Gen. Glenn Walters, the commanding officer of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward).

The end of the evening held the most sentiment, as two Marines were inducted into the Honorable Order of St. Barbara and presented the St. Barbara's Medal.

"Saint Barbara's Medal is given to someone who has spent a lot of time with artillery – usually 15 years plus – and had multiple deployments in artillery," said Bloomington, Ill., native Master Sgt. Daniel Brennan, the operations chief for the battalion. "It’s a pretty big honor to get this medal; not a lot of guys have it."

Once the Marines received their medals, the night drew to a close. Saint Barbara was honored and the community of approximately 150 artillerymen grew closer still.

"It’s a huge tradition for an artillery guy," said Brennan, a 19-year artillery veteran. "For artillery guys this is one of our most important things; being able to celebrate in a combat zone makes it that much more special."

Editor’s note: Second Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, is currently assigned to 2nd Marine Division (Forward), which heads Task Force Leatherneck, to provide artillery support. The task force serves as the ground combat element of Regional Command (Southwest) and works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Force and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, defeating insurgent forces, and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.