Photo By Staff Sgt. Ryan Hageali | U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Toby Lucas, a data systems administrator with Marine...... read more read more
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In 1943, a single decision to join the U.S. Marine Corps set in motion a family tradition of military service that has spanned more than four generations. Lance Cpl. Toby Lucas, the newest member of that proud legacy, now serves in the same country his great-grandfather did.
Lucas continues his family's legacy as part of Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 23 (MRF-D 23) in Australia. Following in his great-grandfather's footsteps, Lance Cpl. Lucas embodies the enduring alliance between the United States and Australia, representing the shared history and camaraderie between these long-time allies.
The United States and Australia have been Allies for 72 years and have fought side-by-side in various wars, including World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.
Lucas's family history of service began when his great-grandfather Red Sterling served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Lucas's grandfather Walter Condo served in the Vietnam, and his father Tom Lucas Jr. Served during the Gulf War.
"Every Marine that I have ever met has been a role model to me," said Lance Cpl. Lucas. "I'm very proud of my lineage. Everything I do on a daily basis is trying to make them proud."
Early on in life, Lance Cpl. Lucas was adventurous, enjoying fishing, hiking, and playing numerous sports. Lucas knew from a young age that he wanted to join the ranks of his family and earn the title of United States Marine. After completing recruit training and his follow-on military occupational specialty (MOS) schools, Lance Cpl. Lucas was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton with the 1st Marine Division, just like his great-grandfather decades before. In February 2023, Lance Cpl. Lucas deployed for the first time with MRF-D 23, focused on growing interoperability with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific to promote a stable and secure region.
"This [deployment] is a lot different than my great-grandfather's time period," said Lance Cpl. Lucas. “We are here to complete training exercises and perfect how Marine Air Ground Task Force operations, strengthening our alliance with the Australians. I think that's probably our biggest mission out here is to keep our alliances strong."
As he proudly represents his country, Lance Cpl. Lucas embodies the shared history and bond between these long-time allies, serving as a testament to the strong military partnership and camaraderie that exists between the two nations.
"I think coming three generations later to the same place that my great-grandfather did is a pretty cool feat," said Lance Cpl. Lucas. "I am the only one in my family that has come here since, so I really like to think that there are certain areas of Australia that we have both been to… I'm just really glad that I get to experience kind of the same thing he got to experience."
| Date Taken: | 04.14.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 10.23.2023 17:00 |
| Story ID: | 442707 |
| Location: | DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AU |
| Hometown: | ASHTABULA, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 57 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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