Photo By Sgt. Ezekieljay Correa | Family members of veterans from 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine...... read more read more
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Around 150 veterans and active members of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, reunited at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 29, to honor the 20th anniversary of Operation Vigilant Resolve.
The battalion, also called “Gunsmoke,” served as one of the lead units in the first Battle of Fallujah, known as Operation Vigilant Resolve, in April 2004. Senior leaders like retired Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan Jr. and retired Sgt. Maj. Bill Skiles joined the memorial event for the battle. The reunion consisted of a handful of memorial events, including a hike up First Sergeant’s Hill in Camp Horno, weapons displays for the veterans, and a memorial dinner for the group. Skiles, who served as the first sergeant for Echo Company, 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, in 2004, could not hide his excitement for the event and to see his Marines again.
“It’s just so great to be here and see all these Marines and Sailors and remember the sacrifice of not only them, but the families too,” said Skiles, who continues supporting the Marine Corps through his work at the Marine Corps Center for Lessons Learned. “We’re going to hike up this mountain and carry heavy things with us to symbolize what these veterans and families carry with them every day. There are some great memories with these guys, including memories with our company commander, Doug Zembiec, who can’t be here today.”
Maj. Doug Zembiec, nicknamed the “Lion of Fallujah” for his actions as a company commander during Vigilant Resolve, earned the Bronze Star after braving small arms fire and jumping onto a tank to direct its fire during one engagement. He was killed in Iraq in 2007, but earned the Silver Star for saving the lives of those he led in the moments leading up to his death. Zembiec is still honored and loved by his Marines today.
In addition to the active-duty service members, veterans, and their families in attendance, retired NFL linebacker and former San Diego Charger, Donnie Edwards, was present. Edwards established a great connection with the battalion in the early 2000’s when he and other San Diego Chargers came aboard Camp Pendleton to meet with Marines and Sailors.
“Events like this are so special and I really enjoy supporting and being an ally to service members and veterans,” said Edwards.
The event took on a special meaning to veterans of the battle still in uniform today.
“This is so special, so special to me. I grew up in 2/1 so I share a lot of the memories of everyone here,” explained Master Gunnery Sgt. Mateo Camargo, the operations chief for 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, who served as a TOW gunner with the battalion in 2004. “All of these events just mean a lot, and doing it now in the position I am in here just further fuels the fire I have for this unit and these Marines.”
The emotion and passion of the participants was readily apparent as the veterans and their families filed onto the battalion’s parade deck. Hugs, laughs, and even tears demonstrated the love for each other across the group, especially for the Gold Star families in attendance.
“Being here today and hopefully making it to the top of that mountain means everything to me,” said De’on Miller, the mother of Silver Star recipient Lance Cpl. Aaron Austin. “I had Aaron for 21 years, but I’ve had these guys around me for 20, so they’re my family now.”
Austin, a Texas native, was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for reinforcing a suppressed rooftop position and saving multiple Marines during an enemy attack. Austin is just one example of the selfless sacrifice the Marines of Gunsmoke displayed 20 years ago. Among the group Austin saved was Rick Loomis, an embedded journalist who reported on the battle, who also attended the reunion.
“It was so intense there, I will never forget it and I respect the hell out of everyone who lived it and lives it now,” said Loomis, who named his son after Austin. “I helped carry Aaron off the battlefield and now try to help veterans wherever I can.”
| Date Taken: | 02.29.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 03.04.2024 13:09 |
| Story ID: | 465276 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 788 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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