By Cpl. Justin M. Martinez
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
ABOARD USS BATAAN - The New York Police Department Marine Corps Association invited Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit to New York's Police Headquarters Friday in celebration of the 233rd birthday of the Marine Corps.
The association, which is made up of former Marines with the department, commemorates Marine Corps traditions and was established over a decade ago.
"A group of Marine cops came together and wanted to keep the brother-hood and the camaraderie of the Marine Corps alive," said John W. Telesky a former Marine and a New York City police officer from Hicksville, N.Y.
Telesky said the association includes not only police officers but also active duty, retired and Marine veterans.
Every year on the Friday before the Marine Corps birthday, a ceremony takes place at 1 Police Plaza and consists of the same traditions that active duty Marines follow to celebrate the birth of the Corps.
"It's very important for former Marines to carry on the Corps' traditions," said Telesky, who joined the military right after graduating high school. "We read the Commandant's Message, the Sergeant Major's message, and the oldest and youngest Marine on the job do the cake cutting."
During the ceremony, a video production was shown to the hundreds of veterans, police officers and Marines in attendance.
"The whole time I was sitting there during the presentation I was thinking about the Marines that have gone before me," said Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Morales, the 22nd MEU's supply chief, and native El Paso, Texas. "I've got some big shoes to fill."
Morales added that the presentation helped him remember why he wore his military uniform.
Some of the police officers in the department attribute their success to the Marine Corps.
"There are many Marines who are attracted to law enforcement," said Tom D. Nerney, a police officer from New York who served in the Marine Corps for five years. "We are very fortunate to have a large compliment of former Marines as New York City police officers."
Nerney said he was a very successful police officer for 39 years and owes it all the United States Marine Corps.
Marines and sailors from the 22nd MEU are embarked aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan. The Bataan is in New York to celebrate Veterans Day and the reopening of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum, which is contained within the hull of the Would War II aircraft carrier USS Intrepid.
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is a scalable, multipurpose force of more than 2,200 Marines and Sailors. Commanded by Col. Gareth F. Brandl, it consists of its Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and its Command Element.