Photo By Pfc. JoshuaJ Belser | A Special Operations Soldier with the Royal Thai Army checks his azimuth during Menton...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Washington–1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) hosted its annual Menton Week at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, December 9-13, 2019.
Each year, 1st SFG (A) hosts Menton Week in remembrance of the First Special Service Force (FSSF), also known as the “Devil’s Brigade.” The FSSF was a joint World War II American-Canadian commando unit. The unit was designed to assault strategic Nazi targets and fight behind enemy lines in winter conditions. Many modern American and Canadian Special Forces units trace their heritage to this unit.
This year’s week-long event, which commemorated the 75th Anniversary of the disbandment of the FSSF in Menton, France in 1942, included partner forces from countries such as Canada and Thailand. It began with an opening ceremony that provided key speakers the opportunity to reflect on the significance of the commemorative week.
“Good morning and welcome to Menton Week, a time-honored 1st SFG (A) tradition to celebrate our history and heritage – who we are – which in large was built by the men of the First Special Service Force,” said Col. Owen Ray, commander of 1st SFG (A).
In addition to recognizing the FSSF, Ray asked everyone to remember the fallen. “Today we also pause to reflect on our teammates deployed in harm’s way and cannot be here with us today and our Fallen who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.
Maj. Fredrick Levesque, a representative with the Canadian Special Operations Regiment spoke on the lasting unity between 1st SFG (A) and Canadian Forces.
“The ‘Forcemen’ were asked to and they achieved the impossible,” Levesque said. “The unique creation of a joint unit of American and Canadian Soldiers instilled a camaraderie during the Second World War that continues today.”
Levesque continued to express his admiration of the ‘Forcemen’ and their determination that lives on in today’s special operations Soldiers. “Through arduous training they ensured operational success and overcame all obstacles. The Canadian Special Operations Regiment embraced this philosophy and we are proud to be part of such a legacy,” he said.
During the week, there were more than 200 participants and supporters, which included ten teams of 12 soldiers who competed in multiple events throughout a two-day competition. The events included an Army Combat Fitness Test, a helocast and 1km swim event, a 7.2km run, a land navigation course, rucksack and litter-carry event, and a marksmanship competition featuring the AK-47 assault rifle and the Makarov pistol.
At the end of the second day, scores were tallied and a 1st SFG (A) team from 1st Battalion took the title of best Menton team 2019.
After the competition, an airborne day commenced where hundreds of Soldiers parachuted from CH-47 Chinook helicopters over JBLM. After the jumps, Thailand and Canadian jump wings were exchanged among the participants.
“This is my first international event,” said Sgt. Dylan, a parachute instructor with the Canadian Army. “It’s been good so far. The history [of Menton Week] goes back quite a way, and it’s cool that we’re keeping up with the traditions.”
Another customary event that took place during Menton Week was Fight Night. The evening featured mixed martial arts cage fighting with contenders competing against each other in three-round matches within six weight classes.
Each Soldier seemed to have their own opinion concerning which part of Menton Week was the best. Specialist Ryan, a Special Operations Soldier with Group Support Battalion who won the second match of the night during fight night said, “It was a good match. I went out there, I put my mind to it and made it happen. This was the best part of Menton Week.”
Whether Soldiers were participating in Menton Week for the first or even fifth time, many of them expressed excitement to be able to partake in the tradition.
“It’s brilliant just to be a part of it, being here with everyone and a part of the heritage,” said Spc. Jalin, a special operations Soldier with GSB. “It makes me feel more [like] a part of the unit.”
Menton Week concluded with the Menton Military Ball at the Tacoma Convention Center where friends and allies shared stories, remembered the fallen and spoke of a unified future.
The culmination and purpose of the week was summed up by the words of the 1st SFG (A) commander who closed his opening remarks early in the week with a passage from a book entitled “Legacy,” by author James Kerr.
“’Our greatest responsibility is to honor those who came before us and those who come after, to leave the jersey in a better place. We are the stewards of our organizations, the caretakers of our own lineage. Our actions today will echo beyond our time’. First in Asia. De Oppresso Liber,” said Ray.
| Date Taken: | 12.14.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.15.2019 17:16 |
| Story ID: | 355740 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,078 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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