Sun sets for Buffalo Marines

Photo By Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Rodriguez | U.S. Marines from Recruiting Station Buffalo render honors to Maj. Gen. Paul Kennedy, the commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, during the deactivation ceremony of RS Buffalo at the New York State Armory in Buffalo, N.Y., July 26, 2016. July 26, 2016. RS Buffalo was closed after more than 30 years of successfully finding and preparing young men and women to become Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Elizabeth Thurston)  

BUFFALO, NY, UNITED STATES

07.26.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher O'Quin 

1st Marine Corps District

The station’s deactivation comes on the heels of a nationwide restructure of Marine Corps recruiting units. Last year, Lt. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, then commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, approved a national structure change commencing during fiscal year 2016 with completion by 2020 in order to align the Marine Corps’ recruiting force with the forecasted change in population trends.
This meant closing the headquarters for Recruiting Station Buffalo while standing up new recruiting stations to better help with recruiting efforts. The headquarters will be closing its doors, but the local recruiting offices will remain open with Marines continuing to offer opportunities and benefits to young men and women across New York and Pennsylvania.
Retired Marines and local leaders attended, many of them wearing Eagle Globe and Anchors on their lapels, as a reminder of the brotherhood they share with each other. Many of their own careers intersected or began with the station at one point during their service
Recruiting Station Buffalo has stood for many years with the mission of seeking out young men and women from places as far northeast as Watertown, New York, to as southwest as Erie, Pennsylvania, during times of peace and conflict.
“Throughout the 20th and 21st century, Marines assigned to recruiting duty in western New York and northern Pennsylvania consistently and successfully found dedicated American citizens that sustained a legacy of our Corps,” said Maj. Christopher Kaprielian, commanding officer of Recruiting Station Buffalo. “Recruiting Station Buffalo has recruited Marines that have distinguished themselves in combat, and many more that have returned to civilian life as quality citizens. America is better, stronger, and safer because of the young men and women from this area that swore to support and defend our constitution.”
Recruiting Station Buffalo held special significance too many people in attendance. This is especially true about Master Gunnery Sgt. Mike Styka (Ret.), from Kenmore, N.Y., who spent more than 15 years serving in the Buffalo area.
“It’s bitter sweet to see the headquarters close, but it’s nice to be here for this occasion,” said Styka.
Recruiting Station Buffalo joins such units as 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, and Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 in their slumber. However, deactivation of RS Buffalo is just that, a closure, temporary; not a termination or dissolution. Should the need arise to reactivate the station once again, a new generation of Marines will breathe life into the unit and will continue to carry out the requirements of recruiting the best in the Nation.

• Date Taken: 07.26.2016
• Date Posted: 07.26.2016 16:31
• Story ID: 205140
• Location: BUFFALO, NY, US