Photo By Sgt. Nicholas Lubchenko | Marines of Battery C, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment pose with the Marine...... read more read more
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Some friendships are forgotten, but others live on forever.
This is true for the seven Marine veterans from Battery H, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment who reunited at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, June 9. This is the seventh reunion in eight years.
The Marines served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967 with the mission to move and shoot in support of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, also known as The Magnificent Bastards. Through their efforts, 3rd Bn., 12 Marines earned the moniker of “The Long Arm of the Magnificent Bastards,” a source of pride for the Marines to this day. The 3rd Bn., 12th Marines, most recently participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and are a part of 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan.
To start the morning, the former artillerymen observed the morning colors ceremony outside John A. Lejeune hall. The group was then welcomed by Col. Michael Scalise, commander of Marine Corps Installations East Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
The veterans then loaded into a van and headed to the 10th Marine Regiment Gun Park and Static Display. The Marines of Battery C, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment displayed some of their current and demilitarized equipment swapping stories about Marine and artillery life.
“I wouldn’t say it is heartwarming but it kind of is; seeing all the old veterans come in and telling you all the stories, its crazy hearing some of their stories,” said Sgt. Adam Even, section chief with 1st Bn., 10th Marines. “It all comes down to a bond, once a Marine always a Marine, getting back with who you grew up with… it’s a good time.”
The Marines discussed differences between the past, the present and the future.
“Even though it’s been only 40 to 50 years, the military has come a long way with what we’ve done and what we can do now,” said Even. “You get chills just talking about it.”
Artillery Marines currently use the M777A2 Howitzer, while the Marine Corps used the 155 Howitzers in Vietnam. Even though the equipment has changed over the years Michael McGregor, a retired artilleryman, is confident the concept of using the equipment is the same.
“With a little knowledge, I would be able to operate them,” said McGregor.
Although the equipment has changed, the bonds formed while serving together have not.
“It is really important for them to get together, in this stage of their life, in their early stages of their life they were in a war,” said Linda McGregor spouse of Michael McGregor. “There they built a friendship and a brotherhood.”
A brotherhood that would withstand the test of time.
“The first reunion that we attended, I noticed that as soon as my husband saw the other guys it was like they never left each other after all these years, and each year when we get together it’s the same thing, it’s like there’s no time in-between, they’ve just always been together,” said Karen Brewster, part of the visiting group. “It’s terrific.”
Fifty years and thousands of miles lie between Vietnam and Lejeune today, but their comradery remains unwavering.
“It’s been a lot of fun and a wonderful experience for all of us to reconnect with each other,” said Barry West, who was the commanding officer for the unit in 1966. “We are spread out all over the country, we have people here at this reunion from the state of Washington, the state of Texas, Florida, Illinois and as close by as Jacksonville. It’s become an event that we look forward to every year, and every year we talk about where we are going next. It’s been a very meaningful experience for all of us here. Reconnecting with each other has been a wonderful experience.”
| Date Taken: | 06.09.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2017 08:44 |
| Story ID: | 238045 |
| Location: | NC, US |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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