CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 teamed up with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion in order to conduct a parachute operation aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 7.
To honor World War II veterans Four Marines with 2nd Recon Bn. were flown over W.P.T. Field in an MV-22B Osprey during a ceremony, where they then conducted a free-fall jump onto the field.
“Today is all about the WW II veterans,” said Capt. Brian Heeter, an MV-22 pilot with VMM-261. “Our demonstration lets them know the advancement the Marine Corps has made and where exactly the public’s tax dollars are going.”
The aerial insertion was put together in order to demonstrate the cohesiveness of the groundside with the airside.
“Our job is to support the troops on the ground,” said Lance Cpl. Trayton Ogle, a crew chief with the squadron. “Whether it’s inserting troops or supplies, our goal is to better suit the fight below us.”
After the demo, the MV-22 landed on the field and was set up as a static display for viewers to get a closer look at. The veterans had the opportunity to walk inside of the Osprey and look at the equipment aboard.
“One of the veterans was comparing the chutes that we use today to the ones that they had used during the war,” said Capt. Thomas Wallin, the company commander for Alpha Co., 2nd Recon Bn. “The chutes they used were round and they didn’t have the capability to steer them.”
Wallin also said that the veterans were impressed by their ability to land on their mark in such high winds.
During the ceremony, the WWII veterans viewed multiple displays that the Marines had set up for them and their families to look at. They also had the chance to visit with current Marines and sailors and share the hardships that each generation had encountered during their time in the service.
“Being able to talk to the veterans and hear their stories is pretty emotional,” said Heeter. “Having the opportunity to show them how far we’ve come in the 60 plus years was special for me.”
Approximately 75 invitations were sent out to WW II veterans in the eastern North Carolina area. Only 13 attended the ceremony.
“The amount of survivors from that war is dwindling,” said Heeter. “I was glad to have the chance to meet them and show them how much I appreciate everything they did.”