Not every given Sunday - service members reenlist before Panthers game

Photo By Cpl. Cameron Payne | The Carolina Panthers recognized veterans, hosted an on field Oath of Enlistment ceremony with live hook-up to troops in Afghanistan, which was led by Brigadier General Thomas A. Gorry, commander of the Marine Corps Installations East. Pregame ceremonies featured a game day collection drive benefiting the USO of North Carolina, a four-ship formation flyover by the 159th Fighter Wing and invocator Chaplain Richard Bristol of the Eighth Marines. Air Force reservist Major Erin Karl performed the National Anthem with a multiservice Color Guard. Service members led a team onto the field, deliver the game ball, participate in the coin toss and Purple Heart recipient, Staff Sergeant Williams, along with service dog "Carly," were the special "Keep Pounding" participants. Halftime included the 82nd Airborne Band, recognition of Purple Heart recipients and flyover pilots.  

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

11.11.2012

Story by 2nd Lt. Sarah Mobilio 

Marine Corps Installations East       

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Thousands tuned in to watch the Carolina Panthers battle the Denver Broncos in Charlotte, N.C., Veterans Day weekend, but those who gave their attention before the game were in for much more than the eccentricities of a pre-game show.

The actual performance of the Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos was no match for the commanding presence displayed by Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Gorry, Marine Corps Installations East – Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s commanding general, and the group of soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines standing before him. Gorry led the reenlistment ceremony for the group on the field and via satellite feed to the service members reenlisting in Iraq.

“As an officer, any time you get to reenlist a Marine, sailor or airman it is a special day; so today is really a special day,” Gorry said.

Amongst the formation in two neat rows were the nation’s finest, 10 Marines from Headquarters and Support Battalion, MCIEast – MCB Camp Lejeune. For a few of them this was their first reenlistment.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Also, we are honored to be here as an active-duty couple. We met in the Marine Corps, and this is both of our first reenlistments,” said Cpl Corey A. Wolfe alongside his wife Cpl. Jenesssa N. Wolfe.

The fortunate Marines who reenlisted before the game included:

Cpl. Andrew R. Whitcomb
Lance Cpl. Jose D. Cervantes
Cpl. Francisco E. Frias
Cpl. Alyssa Destefano
Cpl. Jenessa N. Wolfe
Cpl. Corey A. Wolfe
Cpl. Justin A. Wilson
Ssgt. Roger Petersen
Sgt. Samuel R. Villafana
Cpl. Randy L. Moore

Making the ceremony happen required plenty of coordination, which began back in August.

“The ceremony was joint effort of the military services, the United Service Organizations of North Carolina and the Carolina Panthers,” said John Falkenbury, the president of the USO-N.C. “Between the services, the USO-N.C., the satellite feed and the Panthers, it took quite a bit of work.”

“Seeing the reaction of the service members being honored made all the effort worth it,” added Falkenbury. As the service members walked out of the stadium’s tunnel standing ovation welcomed them onto the artificial turf.

These moments validate the great lengths the USO goes to partner with organizations like the Carolina Panthers to make these memories happen.

“Thanks the USO for sponsoring this, supporting Marines [and their] families. They are fantastic,” concluded Gorry.

Despite the fact the Panthers lost to the Broncos 36-14, the day was a win for all the service members involved, creating a memory that will be carried longer than Willis McGahee will ever be able to run.

• Date Taken: 11.11.2012
• Date Posted: 12.05.2012 15:13
• Story ID: 98788
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US