september 16, 2011 since 1957 vol. 54 issue 37 m

WASHINGTON, – President Barack Obamadraped the pale blue ribbon suspending the Medalof Honor around the neck of Marine Corps Sgt.

Dakota L. Meyer yesterday, the first livingMarine to receive the award for actions in

Iraq or Afghanistan.“It’s been said that where there is abrave man, in the thickest of the

fight, there is the post of honor,”the commander in chief said.“Today we pay tribute to an

American who placed himself in the thick ofthe fight again, and again, and again.”

Obama said Meyer, who is now 23 and was just 21that day in Afghanistan, is “one of the most down-to-earth guys you will ever meet.”

Obama turned to the events of Sept. 8, 2009, the dayMeyer earned the medal as a corporal serving with MarineEmbedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps AdvisoryCommand 3-7, in Kunar province, Afghanistan.

Just before dawn, a patrol of Afghan forces and theirAmerican trainers, on foot and making their waythrough a narrow valley, was planning to meet with agroup of village elders, the president said.

“Suddenly, all over the valley, the lights go out andthat’s when it happens,” Obama said.

About a mile away, Meyer and Staff Sgt. JuanRodriguez-Chavez could hear the ambush over the radio.

Soon, the patrol was pinned down, taking ferociousfire from three sides. “Men were being wounded andkilled, and four Americans, Dakota’s friends, were sur-rounded,” he said.

After asking four times to go closer to the fight and help,and hearing each time that it was too dangerous, the twoMarines got inside a nearby humvee and headed into thefight, Rodriguez-Chavez at the wheel and Meyer manningthe gun turret.

“They were defying orders, but they were doing what

September 16, 2011 Since 1957 Vol. 54 Issue 37

Land Nav.brings NCOs

back to basics,

page A4

3/3 trains atEMV for

Afghanistan,page A3

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the repeated risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as amember of Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7, in Kunar Province,Afghanistan, on 8 September 2009. When the forward element of his combat team began to be hit by intensefire from roughly 50 Taliban insurgents dug-in and concealed on the slopes above Ganjgal village, Corporal

Meyer mounted a gun-truck, enlisted a fellow Marine to drive, and raced to attack the ambushers and aid the trappedMarines and Afghan soldiers. During a six hour fire fight, Corporal Meyer single-handedly turned the tide of the battle,saved 36 Marines and soldiers and recovered the bodies of his fallen brothers. Four separate times he fought the kilo-meter up into the heart of a deadly U-shaped ambush. During the fight he killed at least eight Taliban, personally evacu-ated 12 friendly wounded, and provided cover for another 24 Marines and soldiers to escape likely death at the hands ofa numerically superior and determined foe. On his first foray his lone vehicle drew machine gun, mortar, rocket grenadeand small arms fire while he rescued five wounded soldiers. His second attack disrupted the enemy’s ambush and he evac-uated four more wounded Marines. Switching to another gun-truck because his was too damaged they again sped in fora third time, and as turret gunner killed several Taliban attackers at point blank range and suppressed enemy fire so 24Marines and soldiers could break-out. Despite being wounded, he made a fourth attack with three others to search formissing team members. Nearly surrounded and under heavy fire he dismounted the vehicle and searched house to houseto recover the bodies of his fallen team members. By his extraordinary heroism, presence of mind amidst chaos anddeath, and unselfish devotion to his comrades in the face of great danger, Corporal Meyer reflected great credit uponhimself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States in the name of The Congresstakes pleasure in presenting the MMEEDDAALL OOFF HHOONNOORR to

Corporal Dakota L. MeyerUUnniitteedd SSttaatteess MMaarriinnee CCoorrppss

For service as set forth in the following

Sept. 11, a nation remembers its fallenJJIIMM GGAARRAAMMOONNEEAMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

WASHINGTON, – President BarackObama remembered those who were lost toterrorist attacks a decade ago and said theAmerican commitment to freedom, justice,courage and liberty has not dimmed in theface of many trials Sept. 11.

On the tenth anniversary, he visitedground zero in New York, to Shanksville, Pa.,where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed, andto the Pentagon.

Later, the president spoke at the Concertfor Hope at the Kennedy Center inWashington D.C., where he began his remarkswith a quote from the Bible: “Weeping mayendure for a night, but joy cometh in themorning,” from Psalm 30.

Americans endured such a night on Sept.11, 2001, Obama said.

“Mighty towers crumbled. Black smoke bil-

lowed up from the Pentagon. Airplane wreck-age smoldered on a Pennsylvania field,” he said.“Friends and neighbors, sisters and brothers,mothers and fathers, sons and daughters -- theywere taken from us with heartbreaking swiftnessand cruelty. On Sept. 12,2001, we awoke to a worldin which evil was closer athand, and uncertaintyclouded our future.”

In the past 10 years,much has changed, andAmerica is at war, thepresident noted.

“We can never getback the lives we lost onthat day, or theAmericans who made the ultimate sacrifice inthe wars that followed,” he said, but he addedthat after a decade it is worth rememberingwhat hasn’t changed.

“Our character as a nation has not changed,”

Obama said. “Our faith in God and each other,that has not changed. Our belief in America,born of a timeless ideal that men and womenshould govern themselves, that all people arecreated equal, and deserve the same freedom to

determine their own des-tiny -- that belief, throughtest and trials, has onlybeen strengthened.”

The past decade hasshown America does notgive in to fear, Obamasaid. He spoke of firstresponders running intodoomed buildings andairline passengers takingon terrorists as just two

examples, and he said Americans have workedtogether to defend the nation and its values.

“Two million Americans have gone to warsince 9/11,” Obama said. “They havedemonstrated that those who do us harm

cannot hide from the reach of justice, any-where in the world.”

The men and women who fight America’swars are not conscripts, but volunteers, thepresident noted. “They are men and womenwho left behind lives of comfort for two,three, four, or five tours of duty. Too manywill never come home. Those that do carrydark memories from distant places and thelegacy of fallen friends.”

U.S. service members and their familieshave sacrificed in Afghanistan and Iraq,Obama said, but they do not sacrifice for con-quest or to demonstrate America can occupyanother country.

“Our strength is not measured in ourability to stay in these places; it comes fromour commitment to leave those lands tofree people and sovereign states, and ourdesire to move from a decade of war to a

““After 9/11, President Bushmade clear what we reaffirm today:the United States will never wagewar against Islam or any religion”

– President Barack Obama

See MEDAL, A7

CCOOUURRTTEESSYY PPHHOOTTOO

See 9/11, A7

““Sgt. Meyer embodies all that is good about our nation’s Corps of

Marines. He is a living example of the brave young men and women whose

service, fidelity and sacrifice make us so proud.”– General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps

Karen ParrishAmerican Forces Press Service

MEDAL OFHONOR

Nation’s Highest Award

Sgt. Dakota Meyer

A2 SEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 16, 2011 OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN Post

ACROSS 1. Ad-__ committee4. Olympian’s prize9. College bigwigs14.Vexation15.Castle of the

ballroom16.Sign up17.Diarist Anaïs18.Al __ (past a

specification)19.“Oro y __”

(Montana motto)20.Deprived of one’s

land?22.Personification of

the easy life23.Troubled state24.“__ Gotta Have It”

(Spike Lee film)26.Something to watch,

perhaps27.Moray, for one30.Minute Maid Park

ballclub34.Weirdos37.George’s lyricist38.Lusterless finish41.“Rope-a-dope” boxer

42.Plant firmly44.Grow older45.Genuine48.“Nel blu dip into di

blu” song50.“Slippery when __”51.Coagulate55.Bit of old Italian

bread?57.Section of Los

Angeles59.Clear from the

board62.Ironed?65.Coffee choice66.Southwestern

stewpots67.Potpie spheroid68.Bridget Fonda, to

Jane69.Moss or fern, for

example70.Scarf down71.Tacked on72.Jamboree setups73.Rap’s Dr. __

GOOD DE-EDS

Observation Post

The Observation Post is published by Hi-Desert Publishing, a private firm in no way con-nected with the Department of Defense or the United States Marine Corps, under exclu-sive written contract with the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. This commercialenterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services.Contents of the Observation Post are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by,the United States government, the DoD, or the United States Marine Corps. The appear-ance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not con-stitute endorsement by the DoD or Hi-Desert Publishing of the services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use orpatronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital sta-tus, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the pur-chaser, user or patron. Editorial content is prepared by the Public Affairs Office,MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, Calif. 92278. All photos, unless otherwise indicated areOfficial USMC Photos. Questions can be directed to the Public Affairs Office, locat-ed in building 1417, during normal working hours at 830-6213 or FAX 830-5474. TheObservation Post is made with 60 percent recycled paper.

DOWN1. Many Eastern

Indians2. Set straight3. Middle, in

Manitoba4. King with the

golden touch5. Put up6. Fender blemish7. Poker opener8. West Yorkshire

city9. Wrinkled?10.Join the military11.Sea east of the

Caspian12.“Name That

Tune” clue13.Do in, as a dragon21.Transplant, in

away25.“2001” computer28.Israel’s Abba29.‘80s-’90s legal

drama31.Adam’s donation32.Raw resource33.Bummed out

35.Stripped bare?36.Word before

jacket or insurance38.Dallas hoopster,

for short39.In the past40.__ Aviv43.Muslim’s

destination46.Above, in poesy47.Repetitive49.__-Lorraine

(region of France)52.Spoke like Daffy

Duck53.“In __ and out ...”54.As of now56.Take as one’s own58.Hatchlings’ homes59.Author Ferber60.John __ (the Lone

Ranger)61.Got 100 on63.Fashion mag64.Scot’s family

CCRROOSSSSWWOORRDD AANNDD SSUUDDOOKKUU PPUUZZZZLLEESS CCOOUURRTTEESSYY OOFF ©© 22001111 HHOOMMEETTOOWWNN CCOONNTTEENNTT

[[PPuuzzzzllee ssoolluuttiioonnss oonn AA55]]

SSEEMMPPEERRTTOOOONNSS:: CCRREEAATTEEDD BBYY GGUUNNNNEERRYY SSGGTT.. CCHHAARRLLEESS WWOOLLFF,, UUSSMMCC//RREETT..

SUDOKU #2298

Eagle

Eyes

Immediately report any suspicious activity whichmay be a sign of terrorism, including:

1. Surveillance2. Suspicious questioning3. Tests of security4. Acquiring supplies5. Suspicious persons6. Trial runs7. Deploying assets

830-3937

Hot TopicsEEDDUUCCAATTIIOONN AANNDD

CCAARREEEERR FFAAIIRR

Whether you are lookingfor further education, todevelop new skills, lookingfor a job or exploring newcareer fields, the combinedEducation and Career Fairhas something for every-one. The fair will take placefrom 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.on Sept. 21 at the WestGym and Fitness Center.For more information, call830-7225/6881.

BBEENNCCHH PPRREESSSSCCOOMMPPEETTIITTIIOONN

Prizes will be awarded for1st, 2nd and 3rd place inboth male and femaledivisions. All participantswill receive a t-shirt. Theevent is open to MCCSeligible patrons. Youmust be at least 18-years-old to compete. Thecompetition will takeplace at 6 p.m. on Sept.28 in the East Gym andFitness Center.

IINNTTRRAAMMUURRAALLFFLLAAGG

FFOOOOTTBBAALLLL

The Intramural FlagFootball League is startingup and will be held Sept. 20to Dec. 15 at Del ValleField. Must be active duty,family member or DODemployee. For more infor-mation call MCCS Sportsat 830-4092.

SSOOUUNNDDSS OOFF FFRREEEEDDOOMM

The fourth annualSounds of Freedomconcert will be held atLance Cpl. Torrey L.Gray Field on Sept. 24 at6 p.m. The eventincludes food vendorsand a concert with theCombat Center Band,Toy, and headliner,Uncle Kracker. Thisevent is open to allMCCS eligible patrons.

CCoommmmaannddiinngg GGeenneerraall - Brig. Gen. George W. Smith Jr.PPuubblliicc AAffffaaiirrss OOffffiicceerr - Capt. Nick MannweilerDDeeppuuttyy PPuubblliicc AAffffaaiirrss OOffffiicceerr - 2nd Lt. Sin Y. CarranoPPuubblliicc AAffffaaiirrss CChhiieeff - Gunnery Sgt. Leo A. SalinasPPrreessss CChhiieeff//EEddiittoorr - Sgt. Heather GoldenLLaayyoouutt,, DDeessiiggnn - Leslie Shaw

CCoorrrreessppoonnddeennttssCpl. William J. JacksonCpl. Andrew D. ThorburnLance Cpl. Sarah DietzLance Cpl. D. J. WuPfc. Ali AzimiDiane Durden

This Week in Combat Center History

KKiiddss ffuussssiinngg oovveerr fflluu sshhoottss??LLeeaadd bbyy EExxaammpplleeSSHHAARRII LLOOPPAATTIINNTRIWEST HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE

It’s that time of yearagain, and your kids arethrowing a fit about get-ting the flu shot. But per-haps if they see mom ordad doing it too, they maygo more willingly.

Did you know, 9 out of10 healthy people who get aflu shot, don’t get the flu?That’s according to theCenters for Disease Controland Prevention. If getting a

flu shot is important enoughfor your kids, it’s just asimportant for you.

Step up and lead byexample: Go for your flushot when you take yourkids for theirs, offer to getyour shot first. If fun orcolorful bandages are avail-able, ask to wear one along-side your children, and fin-ish the flu shot appoint-ment with a treat, such as atrip to the park or a healthyfruit smoothie.

In order to keep youhealthy, TRICARE covers all

vaccinations recommendedby the CDCP. That includesthe flu shot or nasal mist. Justmake sure you’re receivingyour vaccinations from aT R I C A R E - a u t h o r i z e dprovider. And remember,you can get all your vaccinesnow through the localExpress Scripts Pharmaciessupporting your TRICAREbenefit too.

To learn where you can gofor your flu shot, or for moreinformation on TRICAREcoverage, visit http://www.triwest.com/flu.

12th MAB11 Conducts Exercise Palm Tree 5-76EEAAFF SSUUPPPPOORRTT WWRRIITTTTEENN BBYY CCPPLL.. GG..LL.. CCOOLLAANNDDRROO

Operation Palm Tree22 5-76, heldSeptember 6-12 here is the first trainingexercise to utilize the new expeditionaryairfield (EAF)33.

Simulating actual combat conditionsmeant constructing a flight tower capableof bringing in the “big birds44” and othercombat aircraft even under the mostadverse conditions.

For the men of Marine Air TrafficControl Squadron (MATCS) 38, SantaAna, theirs is a 24 hour job.

Fully equipped, the flight tower isstacked with all the necessary instrumentsa regular control tower needs to manipu-late incoming and outgoing air traffic.

Two ultra-high frequency radios enablethe tower to communicate with aircrafts.One radio serves as a guard frequencyused only in emergencies. A very high fre-quency radio is used for communicationswith helicopters. An FM radio offers com-munications with ground vehicles andcrash crews.

Other instruments include an aldislamp55 used to signal aircrafts when there isno means of radio communication. A redflash of light from the lamp prohibits land-ing, while a green flash okays it. Wind indi-cators inform the tower of wind speed anddirection and a barometer enables the towerto give aircrafts the correct altimeter setting.

Below the tower, a small work area isset up inside a metal van maintaining andrepairing equipment. This van also acts asa link between the generator and thetower. Also a storage room, the van hous-es all the necessary gear to keep the towerin operation.

Tape recorders inside the van tapeeverything said to aircraft and groundvehicles during the course of the opera-tion. In case of any problems, a possiblecause can be traced to find out what wentwrong and why.

The nine men needed to operate thetower include six air traffic controllers,two radio technicians and one dieselmechanic.

According to Officer-In-Charge, WarrantOfficer 1 William L. Clyde, the crew hasbeen in the field since August 30, but anadvance party from MATCS-38 made thetower operational since August 24.

Allowing no underestimation to bemade concerning the van, Gunner Clydestates matter of factly that “if the vangoes out for any reason, the tower doesn’twork. It’s as simple as that. That van is thistower’s life supporting system.”

It’s safe to say that at present, thetower is the life supporting system of theentire EAF.

Reprinted from the Observation Post dated Sept. 17, 1976, Vol. 20, No. 37

((11)) Marine AmphibiousBrigade is now referred toMarine ExpeditionaryBrigade.

((22)) Palm Tree was thename given to recurringtraining exercises aboardMarine Corps BaseTwentynine Palms. Theywere later renamed toCombined Arms Exercise.

((33)) The expeditionary airfieldwas built in 1976 to test thenaval services aluminumexpeditionary runway con-cept. Today’s EAF haschanged little since the origi-nal construction. Over threemillion square feet of alu-minum AM-2 matting makeup the primary runway.

((44)) The AV-8 Harrier andthe CH-46-F Sea Knight aretwo of the “big birds” first touse the expeditionary air-field during Exercise PalmTree in 1976.

((55)) Aldis lamp is a signallamp named after ArthurC.W. Aldis. It is a visual sig-naling device for optical com-munication typically usingMorse code.

1

14

17

20

23

26

38

44

48

59

65

68

71

2

39

60

3

40

61

21

34

49

55

4

15

18

35

45

5

27

46

6

28

41

56

62

66

69

72

7

29

50

63

8

24

36

64

25

30

47

57

9

16

19

22

42

58

10

43

51

11

31

37

52

67

70

73

12

32

53

13

33

54

1 2 3 45 6 1 7

4 8 18 1 49 5 8 2

3 6 1

4 9 67 4 5 9

1 2 3 8

OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN Post SEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 16, 2011 A3

CCPPLL.. RREEEECCEE LLOODDDDEERR

Pfc. Daniel Candelaria and Capt. Gareth Hughes, a rifleman and air officer with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd MarineRegiment, carry ammunition to a machine gun position during a company attack at Range 400 Sept. 10. The attackwas part of the 35-day Enhanced Mojave Viper training exercise before their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.


Marines with 3/3 watch the Marines of Co. I, 3/3, maneuver through a company attack atRange 400 Sept. 10.They are training to deploy to Afghanistan's Helmand province this fallin support of Operation Enduring Freedom.


Lance Cpl. Jeremy Coltharp, a machine gunner with Co. I, 3/3 holds links of ammuni-tion during a company attack at Range 400 Sept. 10. During EMV, they work fromsquad-level training to battalion-level counterinsurgency operations.

3/3 Marines execute EMV attack, Afghanistan workupCCPPLL.. RREEEECCEE LLOODDDDEERR3RD BATTALION, 3RD MARINE

REGIMENT

Tucked behind a rockymountainside, a company ofMarines spread out, by pla-toons, along its base. After acountdown, an explosiongrowled beyond the thickshield of rocks. As vibra-tions coursed through theground, the infantrymenrushed through a breachedconcertina wire obstacle tobegin their assault.

Marines with Co. I, 3rdBattalion, 3rd MarineRegiment, performed a com-pany live-fire attack at Range400 here Sept. 10.

The attack, carried out byeach of 3/3’s line companies,was part of the EnhancedMojave Viper training exercise.During EMV, the Marines of“America’s Battalion” are work-ing from squad-level trainingevolutions to battalion-levelcounterinsurgency operations.They’re training for a falldeployment to Afghanistan’sHelmand province in sup-port of Operation EnduringFreedom.

“This range brought allour moving parts together,”Lance Cpl. Chad Winchell, asquad leader with Company I,3/3, said. “It meshed ourindividual actions together atthe company level.”

Six teams of machine gun-ners separated from the attack-ing horde and hurried up a hillto provide fire support overthe battlefield. Simulatedenemy artillery and mortarstrikes exploded nearby.

From an elevated position, afire support team coordinatedthe company’s suppression onenemy targets. Communicating

by radio, the FST controlled firesupport for the ground forces,from the machine guns to60mm and 81mm mortars onthe ground.

1st Lt. Aaron Davidson, anartillery forward observer with3/3, said the FST providedthe maneuver commander aview over the battlefield.

“Our job was to war-gameevery angle as the companyattacked,” Davidson, 24, fromUnion, Mich., said. “Weworked to support theirmaneuver by controlling therates of fire and adjusting ourfire suppression on the fly.”

Ammunition men respond-ed to the machine gunners’commands for re-supply byscurrying through whitesmoke with ammo cansatop the hill. They trekkeddown and back up the hillloaded with brass whentheir store depleted.

Supported by the hail offire, infantrymen, engineersand military working doghandlers moved through aravine masked by rocky ter-rain. Mixing attachmentsinto the platoons allowed theMarines to learn each other’sjobs, essential knowledge ifdemanded by a situation inAfghanistan.

“If myself or any of ourother Marines go down, theother Marines need to be ableto step into their jobs and stillfulfill the mission,” LanceCpl. Marcus Caldwell, a squadleader with Co. I, 3/3, said.

As they maneuvered,snipers, mortarmen andmachine gunners poundedrounds onto the enemypositions. Finally, the attack-ing forces arrived at theenemy strongholds and

worked through clearingtheir three objectives.

The 23-year-old Caldwell,from Atlanta, said navigatingthrough the range helped himunderstand his squad’s mis-sion within the company. Hesaid it also taught an importantlesson to his new Marines.

When some of themthought the attack was over,they faced an unexpectedenemy counterattack.

“Once we got to ourfinal objective, our job was-n’t done,” Caldwell said.“In country, our battlebegins as soon as we stepout of the wire. Todaytaught them it’s never overuntil we’re back inside.”


For local entertainment see our LIBERTY CALL section on page B2

NCOs go back to the basics, land nav compSSTTOORRYY AANNDD PPHHOOTTOOSS BBYY CCPPLL.. AANNDDRREEWW DD..TTHHOORRBBUURRNNCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

Marine noncommissionedofficers returned to the basicsin land navigation when theycompeted against each otherfor the NCO trophy and thebragging rights as the bestland nav. NCO throughoutthe battalion.

The challenge was simple,after receiving their coordi-nates, Marines plot them ona small map, then travel tothe locations, find the amu-nition can marker, and markdown what was on the can.This proved harder than theparticipants thought, due tothe Marines time away fromland navigation because ofprimary responsibilities.

“Every month we try todo something to get themback into their Marine Corpsroots,” said 1st Sgt. NelsonHidalgo, the first sergeant forCompany B, HeadquartersBattalion. “For most of ourMarines [it] will be a big chal-lenge because they never doland nav. Most of ourMarines we send to corpo-ral’s course mention land nav.kicks their butt, so littlethings like this, when we canplug it in, is great.”

A few of the Marineswent the extra mile andrefreshed their skills andknowledge to help ensure

their sections’ victory.“We studied for about an

hour and a half last night so Ithought we were going totake one of the top threespots,” said Sgt. AshleyBently, the legal and promo-tion noncommissioned offi-cer in charge with InstallationPersonnel AdministrationCenter. “Then we got startedand quickly got lost. We wishthat we could have gotten afew more of the [ammocans] right.”

The challenge not onlysharpened land nav. skills, butalso caused the Marines to

‘network,’ or learn moreabout the other shops in thebattalion and what they do.

“It’s good to work togeth-

er with some of the NCOswithin the battalion becausewe get to see each other’s

strengths and weaknesses,”said Cpl. Joseph Burden, adistribution managementoffice freight clerk.

After the Marines trekkedthrough the hillside ofRange 100, climbing hills,rocks, and avoiding the localwildlife, the times and scoreswere calculated.

Cpls. Michael Mara andSteven Dodd, both ammu-nition technicians with theCenter Magazine Area,achieved first place fortheir time completing thecourse and number of cor-rect ammo cans.

PPFFCC.. AALLII AAZZIIMMII

Safety instructor wins worldwide

safety award; saves lives, careers

Cpls. Michael Mara and Steven Dodd, both ammunitiontechnicians with the Center Magazine Area, locate areference point before hiking to their next ammo canduring the HQBN monthly NCO challenge at Range 100Sept. 9. The two Marines’ skill and speed earned themfirst place in the challenge by locating one more ammocan than their competitors.

Angel R. Rios, an occupational safety and health specialist with the G-7 safety division,was presented the 2010 Marine Corps Superior Safety Achievement Award by Col.Halliburto J. Sellers, the G7 assistant chief of staff, at the installation’s safety office, forhis work in improving the Marine Corps safety program Sept. 9. Rios acted as an instruc-tor and representative for the “Alive at 25” program, which has helped reduce reporteddriving under the influence incidences by 52 percent in the last three years. “I’ve seenMarines’ careers get ruined because of a DUI,” said Rios, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. Priorto being awarded the Marine Corps Superior Safety Achievement Award, Rios receivedthe Alive at 25 Instructor of the Year Award, two years in a row, 2008 and 2009. “Weteach from the heart,” Rios said. “We have to get it through to these young Marines thatit's important.” Rios was nominated by David W. Horn, a safety director for G-7 safetydivision. Horn nominated Rios for his consistent work over the past couple of years, Hornsaid. It’s not just what he has done that year, it’s everything he’s been doing. The MarineCorps Superior Safety Achievement Award is a worldwide award bestowed each year tothe person who has contributed the most to the Marine Corps Safety Program. “It’s anhonor if you ask me,” said Horn, “Angel has proven himself time and time again, yearafter year as one of those individuals.”

A Marine noncommissioned officer with Headquarters Battalion sights in on a target atRange 100 Sep. 9 during the battalion’s monthly NCO challenge.

““For most of theMarines it will be achallenge. Little thingslike this, when we canplug it in, is great.”

– 1st Sgt. Nelson Hidalgo


SJA CORNER

BBYY 11SSTT LLTT.. RR.. HH.. CCLLAARRKKEELEGAL ASSISTANCE OFFICE

It’s common knowledge that thelegal assistance office provides freewill preparation services. However,it has become increasingly appar-ent that what is lesser known arethe steps that a Marine needs totake to actually obtain one throughthe legal assistance office.Contrary to popular belief, a will isnot an instrument that can beproperly drawn and executed in afive minute span, only two daysbefore a deployment. There are no‘instant wills.’

A will is a powerful legal docu-ment controlling the disposition ofassets and property upon death. Itmust be drafted and executed in away that is in accordance with boththe persons wishes and the law ofthe state governing the document.All of this takes time and effort ontwo ends: that of the legal assis-tance office and by the Marineseeking the services of the legalassistance office. To facilitate all ofthis, a wills policy and procedurehas been developed and imple-mented. In brief, there are threesteps to the procedure: the work-sheet, the brief and the execution.

One seeking to create a willmust first stop by the legal assis-tance office, building 1514, to pick

a will worksheet. At this time, theyneed to register for either the nextwill briefing or any subsequentwill brief. The individual mustbring their will worksheet to thebrief. Don’t be misled, the work-sheet alone is not a will and has nolegal significance in itself.

The will briefings take placeWednesdays at 8 a.m. in thatsame building and typically runbetween 40 to 45 minutes.During the brief, the individualwill complete their worksheet tothe best of their abilities. Anyquestions or concerns will beanswered at that time by either anattorney or one of the legal assis-tance clerks. Upon having com-pleted the worksheet and havingit reviewed by either an attorneyor clerk, the individual will thenturn in the worksheet to one ofthe legal assistance clerks. Theoffice will use this worksheet tothen draft the will.

After having turned in thecompleted worksheet but prior toleaving the brief, the clerk willinstruct the individual the datethey are to call and confirm theirattendance for the execution ofthe will. The office will not begindrafting the will until the individ-ual has called to confirm thatthey will be attending the execu-tion. Failure to do so will result in

having their worksheet shreddedand requiring the individual tobegin the process again. The indi-vidual must call and confirm bythe Friday immediately followingthe brief. The execution of thewill takes place approximately 10days later, the Friday of the fol-lowing week.

The process can again be sum-marized thusly: Pick up a work-sheet and ascertain the date of thenext briefing, attend the briefingwith the worksheet, complete andturn in the worksheet at the con-clusion of the briefing, call within3 days to confirm your attendancefor the execution and attend theexecution, 10 days later, on theFriday of the next week.

It is important to note thatmany Marines do not need wills. Itis the responsibility of the Marineto determine if it is appropriate ornecessary to take these steps tocreate such a document. Such adetermination is based on theMarines’ individual circumstances.Do this well in advance of anyupcoming deployments or otherforeseeable personal life eventswhich might affect such a need.We welcome the opportunity toassist you in this matter. If youhave any additional questions youcan contact the legal assistanceoffice at 830-6111.

The new wills process; steps to takeOOLLIIVVIIAA LLYYNNNN RRIICCKKEERRTTSSEENN

Born to Paris and Stefannie Rickertsen Aug. 27, 2011RRIIVVEERR AAVVAANNGGEELLYYNN EEWWIINNGG

Born to Randall and Alyssa EwingAug. 24,2011CCAAVVOOLLIINNEE RROOSSAANNNNEE MMAARRTTIINN

Born to Sam and Heather MartinAug. 27, 2011SSOOPPHHIIAA MMIICCHHEELLLLEE WWIILLLLIIAAMMSS

Born to Michael and Elaine WilliamsAug. 26, 2011EEMMMMAA FFAAIITTHH HHEEAARRLLDD

Born to Blaine and Cossandra HearldAug. 24, 2011MMAANNUUEELL RRIICCHHAARRDD RRAAYYEESSPPIINNOOZZAA JJRR..

Born to Manuel and Daisy EspinozaAug. 25, 2011TTHHOOMMAASS AANNDDRREE DDOOUUGGLLAASS

Born to Thomas and Krystal DouglasAug. 23, 2011TTRREENNTT JJAACCOOBB RRUUCCKKEERR

Born to Scott and Katelynn RuckerAug. 16,2011EEZZEEKKIIEELL AADDRRIICC JJOOHHNNBBAARRBBIIEERRII

Born to Gregory and Cara BarbieriAug. 8, 2011AALLEEXXIISS JJAANNEE MMUUMMAAWW

Born to James and Jodi MumawAug. 12, 2011SSHHAADDOOWW EELLIIJJAA RRIIVVEERRAA

Born to Meagan and Christopher RiveraAug. 12, 2011

BBRROOOOKKLLYYNNNN SSKKYYEE EENNTTRRIIKKIINN

Born to James and Tanya EntrikinAug. 10, 2011LLIILLYYAANNNNAA EELLIIZZAABBEETTHH HHOORRTTOONN

Born to Ann and Justin HortonMay 15, 2011AALLEEXXAANNDDEERR WWIILLLLIIAAMM EEPPPPSS

Born to Jason and Rachel EppsAug. 31, 2011KKEEVVIINN SSCCOOTTTT CCOOLLLLIINNSS

Born to Robert and Brittany CollinsAug. 31, 2011HHAAZZEELL RROOSSEE SSEEDDEELLMMAAIIEERR

Born to Justin and Amber SedelmaierSept. 1, 2011DDEERREEKK JJAAMMEESS YYOOUURREELLLL

Born to James and Sarah YourellAug. 29, 2011NNOOAAHH RRYYAANN ZZAARRAAGGOOZZAA

Born to David and Alexis ZaragozaAug. 9 2011SSOOFFIIAA EEIIEERRMMAANN

Born to Kevin and Macarena EiermanAug. 05, 2011AABBIIGGAAIILL RRAACCHHEELLLLEE DDEENNIISSMMYYEERRSS

Born to Randall and Ashley MyersAug. 5, 2011DDEELLAANNIIEE AALLEEXXIISS LLAANNIIEERR

Born to John Lanier and Megan DavisJuly 20, 2011TTIIMMOOTTHHYY JJAAMMEESS CCAABBEELLIINN

Born to Zues and Joy CabelinJuly 27, 2011

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

H

I

N

D

U

S

M

A

V

E

D

N

A

O

R

I

E

N

T

A

G

O

R

E

I

D

C

E

N

T

R

E

T

E

L

A

C

E

D

R

E

P

O

T

A

L

S

A

C

E

M

I

D

A

S

D

E

B

R

I

E

F

E

D

E

R

E

C

T

E

D

O

E

R

D

E

N

T

E

B

A

N

A

D

O

P

T

A

N

T

E

L

A

L

A

W

E

L

L

E

L

E

E

D

S

L

I

F

E

C

L

A

N

H

A

L

I

T

E

R

A

N

T

D

E

P

R

E

S

S

E

D

N

E

S

T

S

E

N

L

I

S

T

M

E

C

C

A

A

R

A

L

R

I

B

L

I

S

P

E

D

N

O

T

E

O

R

E

O

N

E

E

A

R

S

L

A

Y

S

A

D

T

O

D

A

T

E

CR

OS

SW

OR

D S

OLU

TIO

NS7 1 8 9 5 2 3 6 4

3 5 9 6 4 1 7 2 84 2 6 8 3 7 5 1 98 6 1 5 2 3 9 4 79 7 5 1 6 4 8 3 22 3 4 7 9 8 6 5 1

5 4 3 2 8 9 1 7 66 8 7 4 1 5 2 9 31 9 2 3 7 6 4 8 5

SU

DO

KU

SO

LUT

ION

S L00KINGfor local

entertainment?See page B2 for our

LIBERTY CALLsection


PPEETTTTYY OOFFFFIICCEERR 11SSTT CCLLAASSSS GGIINNOO AA.. FFLLOORREESS

Cpl. Lorenzo Ruiz [right] and Sgt. Shatia Felder salute every American flag raised on Sept. 11, commemorat-ing the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. They flew 370 flags for troops who submitted requests for signedcertificates by Commanding General Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan of certified flown flag in recognition of 9/11.Ruiz and Felder are both radio operators for Regional Command Southwest, Helmand province, Afghanistan.

SSGGTT.. RRAANNDDAALLLL AA.. CCLLIINNTTOONN

Lt. Col. Neil F. Murphy, Jr. lays awhite rose at the base of a

recovered piece of the WorldTrade Center buildings turned

into a memorial, Sept. 9.Marines and sailors from USS

New York joined other locallystationed troops, first respon-

ders and veterans for a ceremo-ny at the Intrepid Sea, Air and

Space Museum.

PPEETTTTYY OOFFFFIICCEERR 11SSTT CCLLAASSSS CCHHAADD JJ.. MMCCNNEEEELLEEYY

A Marine prepares to lay a wreath at the Pentagon 9/11 obser-vance ceremony honoring the 184 victims killed when AmericanAirlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon during a terroristhijacking 10 years ago.


future of peace,” the presi-dent said.

America holds on to itsfreedoms, Obama said,acknowledging that fiercedebates have taken placeabout the balance betweensecurity and civil liberties.

“But it is precisely therigor of these debates, andour ability to resolve themin a way that honors ourvalues, that is a measure ofour strength,” he said.“Meanwhile, our open mar-kets still provide innovatorswith the chance to create,our citizens are still free tospeak their minds, and oursouls are still enriched in ourchurches and temples, oursynagogues and mosques.”

America has also not suc-cumbed to suspicion andmistrust, the president said,evoking the words of hispredecessor. “After 9/11,President Bush made clearwhat we reaffirm today: theUnited States will never wagewar against Islam or any reli-gion,” Obama said.

In the wake of 9/11,America has arisen from thecanvas and demonstratedonce again its resilience, thepresident told the KennedyCenter audience. “ThePentagon is repaired, andfilled with patriots working

in common purpose,” hesaid. “Shanksville is thescene of friendships forgedbetween residents of thattown and families who lostloved ones there. New Yorkremains a vibrant capital ofthe arts and industry, fashionand commerce.

“Where the World TradeCenter once stood, “the sunglistens off a new tower thatreaches toward the sky,” hecontinued. “Our people stillwork in skyscrapers. Ourstadiums are filled with fans,and our parks full of chil-dren playing ball. Our air-ports hum with travel, andour buses and subways takemillions where they need togo. Families sit down toSunday dinner, and studentsprepare for school. Thisland pulses with the opti-mism of those who set outfor distant shores, and thecourage of those who diedfor human freedom.”

America has met the test,and those who follow willappreciate the courage, com-mitment and resilience ofAmericans of this era, thepresident said. He stressedthe word “united” when hesaid, “Nothing can break thewill of a truly United Statesof America.”

Those of the future willremember and understandthat the people of the

United States “have over-come slavery and Civil War,bread lines and fascism,recession and riots, commu-nism and, yes, terrorism,” hesaid. “They will be remind-ed that we are not perfect,but our democracy isdurable, and that democra-cy, reflecting as it does, theimperfections of man alsogives us the opportunity toperfect our union.

“That is what we honoron days of national com-memoration, those aspectsof the American experiencethat are enduring, and thedetermination to move for-ward as one people,” he said.

That determination tomove forward is the reallegacy of 9/11, the presi-dent told the audience. “Itwill be said of us that wekept that faith – that we tooka painful blow, and emergedstronger,” he said.

The president closed with acall that echoed PresidentAbraham Lincoln’s GettysburgAddress: “With a just Godas our guide, let us honorthose who have been lost.Let us rededicate ourselvesto the ideals that define ournation, and let us look to thefuture with hearts full ofhope. May God bless thememory of those we lost,and may God bless theUnited States of America.”

9/11, from A1

they thought was right,” thepresident said.

On two solo trips into theambush area, Meyer repeat-edly got out of the humveeto help Afghan troops, manywounded, inside the vehicleand back to safety.

“A third time they wentback, insurgents runningright up to the front of thehumvee, Dakota fightingthem off,” Obama said.

They then headed backon the fourth trip withMeyer wounded in the armand the vehicle riddled withbullets and shrapnel.

“Dakota later confessed,‘I didn’t think I was going todie, I knew I was.’ But still,they pushed on, finding thewounded [and] deliveringthem to safety,” Obama said.

On the fifth trip, the twoMarines drove through fire“that seemed to come fromevery window, every door-way, every alley,” he said.

Finally, the two reachedthe four Americans whohad been surrounded.

“Dakota jumped out andhe ran toward them, draw-ing all those enemy gunstoward himself; bullets kick-ing up the dirt all aroundhim,” Obama said.

Meyer and others whohad joined him picked up thefallen Marines and, “through

all those bullets, all thesmoke, all the chaos, carriedthem out one by one,because as Dakota says, that’swhat you do for a brother,”the commander in chief said.

“Dakota says he’ll acceptthis medal in their name,” thepresident said. Their namesare Lt. Michael Johnson,Gunnery Sgt. EdwinJohnson, Staff Sgt. AaronKenefick, Navy Petty Officer3rd Class James Layton andwounded U.S. Army Sgt. 1stClass Kenneth Westbrook.”

Obama said while heknows Meyer has thought ofhimself as a failure becausesome of his teammates did-n’t come home, “as yourcommander in chief, and onbehalf of everyone here

today and all Americans, Iwant you to know it’s quitethe opposite.”

“Because of your honor,36 men are alive today,” thepresident said. “Because ofyour courage, four fallenAmerican heroes camehome, and in the words ofJames Layton’s mom, [theirfamilies] could lay their sonsto rest with dignity.”

Meyer, who is no longeron active duty, is the 298thMarine ever to have receivedthe medal, created duringthe Civil War. The nation’shighest military honor.

Meyer is the third livingservice member to receivethe Medal of Honor foractions during the Iraq andAfghanistan wars.

MEDAL, from A1

AADDVVEERRTTIISSEEMMEENNTT

PPEETTEE SSOOUUZZAA

President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor toSgt. Dakota Meyer during a ceremony in the WhiteHouse in Washington, D.C., Thursday.


NNaammee:: Kelley CoeBBiilllleett//UUnniitt:: SpecialEvents Manager, MarineCorps Community ServicesHHoommeettoowwnn:: Brooks, Ga.WWhhaatt wweerree yyoouu ddooiinnggwwhheenn yyoouu hheeaarrdd aabboouutttthhee aattttaacckkss oonn 99//1111??:: “Iwas at work in Memphis,Tenn. We turned the TVon and watched in shockas the second plane hit thetower. I called my daddywho worked at DeltaAirlines in Atlanta. Theywere on lock down intheir building and couldnot leave. I was more

afraid for him because hewas at an airport. He toldme there were otherplanes that had droppedoff the radar. Thoseended up being the twoplanes that went down inPennsylvania and into thePentagon.”WWhhaatt iimmppaacctt//eeffffeecctt ddiiddiitt hhaavvee oonn yyoouu??:: “Theattacks made me realizethat as a country we canbe vulnerable on our ownsoil. I was also very proudof the way our countrybonded together with suchpride and patriotism.”

NNaammee:: Lance Cpl. RichardE. GalvezBBiilllleett//UUnniitt:: Embarkationand Logistics Specialist,Headquarters BattalionHHoommeettoowwnn:: Brooklyn,N.Y.WWhhaatt wweerree yyoouu ddooiinngg oonn

SSeepptt.. 1111,, 22000011??:: ““I was inschool when the principalannounced what happened.We had a moment ofsilence and returned to ourregular day. I was only 10-years-old so I didn’t reallyunderstand what was goingon. My mom came to pick

me up. We tried to leave thecity, but found it wasn’tpossible. So we went to theWilliamsburg Bridge to seeit for ourselves. Traffic wasstopped, a countless num-ber of people were walkingacross the bridge toward us,away from the towers andthe biggest cloud of smokeI had ever seen.”WWhhaatt iimmppaacctt//eeffffeecctt ddiidd

iitt hhaavvee oonn yyoouu??:: “It wassurreal. It didn’t seem like itwas really possible. I hadnever seen so many peoplein such a panic.”

NNaammee:: RichardHardmanBBiilllleett//UUnniitt:: LogisticsChief, HeadquartersBattalionHHoommeettoowwnn:: Massillon,OhioWWhhaatt wweerree yyoouu ddooiinngg

wwhheenn yyoouu hheeaarrdd aabboouutt

tthhee aattttaacckkss oonn 99//1111??:: “Iwas in Shadow Mountainhousing waiting on myTransportationManagement Office ship-ment watching televisionas the events unfolded.”WWhhaatt iimmppaacctt//eeffffeecctt

ddiidd iitt hhaavvee oonn yyoouu??:: “Iremember the sickeningfeeling I had as Iwatched the secondplane hit and theincreased security meas-ures the base immedi-ately implemented. Iwill never forget theimpact the deploymentsand casualties had onthe Marines, families,and units. I knew a wayof life and some of thefreedoms we used totake for granted aregone forever.”

NNaammee:: Pvt. JustinParksBBiilllleett//UUnniitt:: Combatmarksmanship trainer,HeadquartersBattalionHHoommeettoowwnn:: St.Francis, Minn.WWhhaatt wweerree yyoouu

ddooiinngg oonn SSeepptt.. 1111,,

22000011??:: “I was just get-ting on the bus forschool when my momran out and told me. Iwas in 6th grade, anddidn’t know the signif-icance of the World

Trade Center or theseverity of it until theyhit the Pentagon.School was put onhold that day and wewatched the news.”WWhhaatt iimmppaacctt//eeffffeecctt

ddiidd iitt hhaavvee oonn yyoouu??::

“When I joined theMarine Corps, mytrain of thought was,‘When you step in ourhouse and take aswing, do you reallyexpect us to do noth-ing? You don’t messwith America.’”

CCoommbbaatt CCeenntteerr RReemmeemmbbeerrss 99//1111

HQBNSeptember 16, 2011 Since 1957 Vol. 54 B SECTION

Football Jamboree;teams meet on

the gridiron,page B3

VFW Post kept running dueto Combat Center sailorsCCPPLL.. AANNDDRREEWW DD..TTHHOORRBBUURRNNCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

Sailors with the 23rd DentalCompany woke up earlySaturday morning to volun-teer their time to help cleanup the Veterans of ForeignWars Post 9431, in YuccaValley, as part of their“Adopt-a-Vet Program.”

The volunteers de-weededthe yard, chopped downsome bush weeds, andrepainted the post mail box.

The sailors had originallystarted their volunteer workwith the VFW post a couple

of months ago and cameback Saturday to continuetheir work.

“They are ‘saving ourbacon’ because our healthi-est [member of the post]just came out of the hospitalwhere they had to take outhis gallbladder,” said NeyKeyes, the quartermaster forthe post. “We just have noone to do this for us.”

“When we did the initialcleaning, all the grass wasup to our waists, so wecleaned the inside and out-side,” said Senior ChiefKevin Edwards, the seniorenlisted leader. “We had

cleared out about 30 to 40bags of weeds from the firsttime there.”

The hard work of thesailors provided a biggerservice for the post than justimproving their yard’sappearance.

“I can’t tell you howmuch we appreciate it, wewere two steps away fromthe fire marshal closing usdown,” Keyes said.

Before the sailors hadcleaned the yard the fire mar-shal was going to close thepost down due to the tall


Golf lessons with PGA pro

[[AAbboovvee]] Todd A. Wade, agolf course professional forMarine Corps CommunityServices, instructs a groupof women during the LadiesGolf School, Sept. 14, at theDesert Winds Golf Course.Wade, a class AProfessional GolfAssociation professional,instructs 6-week golf cours-es for men, women and chil-dren at the golf course. “Abad day on the course isbetter that a good day atwork,” Wade said.

[[LLeefftt]] Women in a golf classpractice their putting at theDesert Winds Golf CourseSept. 14.


CCPPLL.. AANNDDRREEWW DD.. TTHHOORRBBUURRNN

Dental and hospital corpsmen with the Combat Center dispose of weeds at the Veteransof Foreign Wars Post 9431 yard Saturday to prevent fire safety hazards.

See VFW, B4

MCAGCC Varsity Basketball competes against Air ForceMMAASSTTEERR GGUUNNNNEERRYY SSGGTT.. LLAANNCCEEJJOONNEESS,, TACTICAL TRAINING EXERCISE CONTROL GROUP

The installaion’s MCAGCCVarsity Basketball Team traveledto Edwards Air Force Base,Edwards, Calif., to battle withtheir Air Force counter partsSaturday. MCAGCC donnedtheir war fighter gear and com-

menced to battle Edwards AFBin an inter-service shoot out. Inthe first half, the Edwards AFBbasketball team pulled aheadwith a 20-point lead. TheMarines quickly called a timeout and decided they mustdestroy the opponent with ourCorps’ values on the hardwood.MCAGCC closed the lead byeight points at the half.

After getting a frag order fromthe coach, MCAGCC launched anartillery attack of three point shotsto come within one point. Withone minute left, the fierce warriorsof MCAGCC tied the game andsent the contest into overtime. TheMarines took the battle anddestroyed the opponent by sevenpoints. The final score was 98-89.

In the second game,

MCAGCC took the floor againstNellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nev. Thegame was a seesaw in the first half.Both teams fought tooth and nail,neither team surrendering or giv-ing ground. After a pep talk by thecoach, MCAGCC came out withguns blazing, but fell short. NellisAFB went ahead and opened up a17-point lead. MCAGCC honor-ing the war fighter code, never

gave up and closed the lead to 81-88 before time expired.

The MCAGCC VarsityBasketball Team representedthe Combat Center well, withthe assistance of Marine CorpsCommunity Services SportsDepartment. MCAGCC will bein action again at Edwards AFBSeptember 24 againstVandenburg and Edwards AFB.

Marines with the Combat Center’sHeadquarters Battalion finally got arecess day Wednesday when theywent back to school to play andinteract with the children of JoshuaTree Elementary School.

HQBN is the first of severalunits aboard the installation to vol-unteer at Joshua Tree ElementarySchool as part of the Adopt-a-School program.

The program connects theCombat Center with schools in thesurrounding area. The program alsoallows Marines to give back to theircommunity.

“We’re all one big community herein the Morongo Basin,” said KristinaBecker, the community relations offi-cer at the Combat Center. “The pro-gram allows Marines to go out andinteract with the local communityand the young children in the area.”

The Marines went to Joshua Treeto help the children with sports andplay with them during the school’srecess periods.

“I looked forward to showing the kidshow to play football, because that’s whatI’m good at,” said Lance Cpl. MichaelBaker, a postal clerk in HQBN.

The elementary school childrenspend their daily 15-minute recessesand 10-minute breaks before lunchoutside in the school’s playgroundarea. There, the Marines play with thekids twice a month and bring a littlemore structure into the kid’s play time.

Both the Marines and childrenenjoyed their time together. Theyplayed games of football, basketballand dodgeball, as well as other play-ground activities.

The Marines got the chance to

Back-to-schoolAdopt-a-School program

Sgt. Jacqueline Vilches, an administrationchief in HQBN leads a stretching exercise inone of Joshua Tree Elementary School’sphysical education classes Wednesday.

School children from Joshua Tree Elementary School pose for the camera Wednesday as Marinesfrom HQBN came to their recess period. Lance Cpl. Michael Bake prepares the kids for a game offlag football in the school’s playground area Wednesday.See HQBN, B4

Story and photos by Lance Cpl. D. J. WuCombat Correspondent

Lance Cpl. Michael Baker, a postal clerk inHeadquarters Battalion teaches a studentfrom Joshua Tree Elementary how to use thecooperative walking boards to walk across theschool basketball court as a team.

NNEEIILL PPOONNDDAMERICAN PROFILE

‘Colombiana’ Starring Zoe SaldanaRated PG-13

Zoe Saldana may be a staron the rise, but this hack-neyed, hyperactive actionthriller, alas, takes herdown a notch.

The beautiful, exotic-looking actress, ofDominican/Puerto Ricandescent, steadily worked herway up the Hollywood lad-der in a variety of rolesbefore making a major main-stream impression as thenoble, blue-skinned femaleprincess in “Avatar” in 2009.

She also shows a lot ofskin in “Colombiana,” butthis time it’s her naturalshade, displayed in a varietyof skimpy, body-huggingoutfits to better reveal herbuff arms, sexy, super-toned legs and slender,sculpted curves.

Saldana’s character is thenow-adult version of thelittle girl, Cataleya, we meetin the movie’s openingscenes, a wide-eyed inno-cent who witnesses the exe-cution of her parents at thehands of a brutalColombian crime boss.

Yes, a better name for hercharacter might have beenColombiana, to go with thetitle of the movie. Or maybecall the movie “Cataleya,” togo with her name.

The word “Colombiana”is Spanish and refers to awoman from Colombia inSouth America, which iswhere an orchid called thecattleya grows. I know thatbecause I looked it up, whichis a lot of work to connectthe title of a movie to itsmeaning, and to a characterwho’s named something else.

And that’s just the start ofthe problems with“Colombiana.” It piles on somany ludicrous events, puz-zling plot points and fakeSouth American accents thatit quickly loses any chance itmight have had otherwise tobecome a halfway decentpulp mix of beauty, bulletsand bad guys.

Cataleya’s plan to takedown the men who mur-

dered her parents requiresan absurdly long, unneces-sarily complicated andridiculously roundaboutroute to get the job done.And though she’s sup-posed to be the movie’s“heroine,” audiences maysour a bit on her crusadewhen she blackmails anhonest police chief andthreatens to murder hisinnocent family.

The movie builds to anexplosive crescendo that,ironically, brings on one ofits biggest hoots. As Cataleyasprays a slow-mo hail of bul-lets from a balcony in amansion swarming with herenemies, it comes close to aparody of Al Pacino’s icon-ic, over-the-top “Say helloto my little friend” scenefrom “Scarface.”

And if you’re going tohave a climactic, hand-to-hand, life-or-death battle ina bathroom, and one ofthe characters very con-spicuously picks up a pairof toothbrushes…forgoodness sakes, do some-thing with them!

The final scene showsCataleya moving on. Here’shoping the talentedSaldana does likewise, toanother movie that showsher as something morethan a clichéd, emotionallydented bit of eye candycarving a preposterouspath of destruction.

B2 SEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 16, 2011 OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN Post

Liber t y Call

Zoe Saldana carves a path of preposterous destruction


After witnessing the brutal murder of her parents by a Colombian crime boss, Cataleya,played by Zoe Saldana, grows up and goes on a revenge vindetta.


The bittered Cataleya, played by Zoe Saldana, seeksrevenge for her parents’death, using any means necessary,including a AT-4 rocketlauncer to blow her enemies away.


The young Cataleya has a bonding scene with her fatherbefore he is brutally slain by a Colombian crime boss.

PPaappppyy aanndd HHaarrrriieett’’ss WWeeeekkeenndd LLiinnee--UUpp::

TThhee AAnnnnuuaall CCaammppoouutt wwiitthh CCrraacckkeerr && CCaammppeerr VVaann BBeeeetthhoovveennA popular, annual camping/music festivalWhen: 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16 and 17Where: 53688 Pioneertown Road, PioneertownFor more information, call 365-5956 or visit http://www.pappyandharriets.com.

NNuunnsseennssee,, AA--MMeenn!!The latest production of the Nunsense series has a hilarioustwist; all the nuns are played by men.When: 7 p.m. on both Friday and SaturdayWhere: Theatre 29, 73637 Sullivan Road, Twentynine PalmsFor more information call 361-4151or visithttp://www.theatre29.com

MMoorroonnggoo VVaalllleeyy’’ss FFiieessttaa DDaayyssA three-day festival with a Battle of the Bands, the World’sShortest Parade, Firefighters Breakfast, Best Chili Competitionand a community fair with vendors and family activities.When: Battle of the Bands, Friday 6 to 10 p.m., other eventsthroughout Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.Where: Covington Park in Morongo ValleyFor more information and directions, visit www.mvfiestadays.com.

Local Events

EExxccuurrssiioonnss EEnnlliisstteedd CClluubbFriday: Social Hour with food, 5 to 7 p.m. followed byDJ Gjettblaque, 8 to 11 p.m., Ladies NightSaturday: Variety Night, DJ Gjettblaque 8 to 11 p.m.Sunday: Football coverage, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.Monday: Monday night football coverage, 4 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.Thursday: Social Hour, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

BBllooooddssttrriippeess NNCCOO CClluubbFriday: Social Hour with food, 5 to 7 p.m.Monday: Monday Night Football, 4 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.Wednesday: Free gourmet bar food, 5 to 7 p.m.Thursday: Social Hour, 7 to 9 p.m.

HHaasshhmmaarrkkss 2299 SSNNCCOO CClluubbFridays: Dinner, full menu, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Social Hour, 5:30to 7:30 p.m., DJ 8 to 11 p.m.Monday: Steak night and full dinner menu 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.Monday-Friday: All-Hands lunch, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Tuesday: Social Hour, 5 to 7 p.m.Thursday: Social Hour, 5 to 7 p.m.

CCoommbbaatt CCeenntteerr OOffffiicceerrss’’ CClluubbMonday-Friday: All-hands lunch, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Monday: Steak night, 5 to 7:30 p.m.Thursday: Mongolian Barbecue, 5 to 8 p.m.

For complete calendars visit http://www.mccs29palms.com.

Combat Center Clubs

Sunset CinemaFFrriiddaayy,, SSeepptt.. 11666 p.m. – Crazy, Stupid, Love, Rated PG-139 p.m. – Cowboys and Aliens, Rated PG-13Midnight – The Change Up, Rated RSSaattuurrddaayy,, SSeepptt.. 117711 p.m. – FFrreeee MMaattiinneeee Mars Needs Moms, Rated PG2 p.m. – Smurfs, Rated PG6 p.m. – Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Rated PG-139 p.m. – Captain America, Rated PG-13Midnight – Friends with Benefits, Rated RSSuunnddaayy,, SSeepptt.. 11882 p.m. –Spy Kids 4, Rated PG6 p.m. – Final Destination 5, Rated PG-139 p.m. – 30 Minutes or Less, Rated RMMoonnddaayy,, SSeepptt.. 11997 p.m. – The Change Up, Rated RTTuueessddaayy,, SSeepptt.. 22007 p.m. – Crazy, Stupid, Love, Rated PG-13WWeeddnneessddaayy,, SSeepptt.. 22117 p.m. – Captain America, Rated PG-13TThhuurrssddaayy,, SSeepptt.. 22227 p.m. – Friends with Benefits, Rated R

Lower DesertSSaannttaannaaRolling Stone ranks Carlos Santana, a 10 time Grammywinner, as one of their top 100 greatest guitarists.When: 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 30Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, IndioFor more information call 800-827-2946 or visithttp://www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

DDoonn RRiicckklleessThe famous comedian performs his stand upWhen: 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15Where: Agua Caliente32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho MirageFor more information call 888-999-1995 or visit http://hotwatercasino.com.

KKeennnnyy GGWill perform his mellow sax musicWhen: 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15Where: Morongo Casino Resort and Spa49500 Seminole Drive, CabazonFor more information call 800-252-4499 or visithttp://www.morongocasinoresort.com.

CChhiiccaaggooThe rock legends perform their hitsWhen: 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 21Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, IndioFor more information call 800-827-2946 or visithttp://www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN Post SEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 16, 2011 B3

Marines clash on the gridiron


Guillermo R. Manzo, an ammunition technician with the Center Magazine Area, attempts to evade a tackle bythe opposing team in the Commanding General’s Intramural Football Jamboree at Felix Field Wednesday.

Fight Club 29 wins again

LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. DD.. JJ.. WWUU

[From left] MichaelSmith, Dahlen Wilson,coach Mark Geletko,Mario Martinez,Edmund Cretens andAlex Hempstead,members of FightClub 29 won threegold medals andthree silver medals atthe Long BeachGrappling ExperienceInvitational Sept. 10.The team onlybrought six fighters tothe tournament, all ofthem left the tourna-ment as medalists.The fight club is slat-ed to compete nextin an armed forcesgrappling tourna-ment at MarineCorps Air StationMiramar, Calif., Oct. 22.

Athlete of the WeekNNaammee:: Tom EatonHHoommeettoowwnn:: Orange City,IowaAAcchhiieevveemmeenntt:: Eaton wona silver medal in the 185pound weight bracket inthe intermediate division inthe Long Beach GrapplingExperience InvitationalSept. 10. Eaton also wonseven matches in the tour-nament that earned him anabsolute gold medal in theintermediate division. Theabsolute gold medal isequivalent to a most valu-able player medal in the tournament.EEaattoonn’’ss aaddvviiccee oonn hhooww ttoo bbee aann MMVVPP:: “You have towork hard in every single moment that you train. Thathard work will transpire in the competitions and thatwill be the difference.”HHooww ddiidd yyoouu ggeett iinn ttoo MMiixxeedd MMaarrttiiaall AArrttss??:: “I grewup wrestling and I did a lot of wrestling in college. Aftercollege, I coached wrestling for a year. When I got tothe Combat Center, I was looking for a place to train, Italked to coach and he welcomed me with open arms.”


B4 SEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 16, 2011 OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN Post

interact with children of allgrades though the elemen-tary school. As each gradecycled in and out of theirrecess time, the Marines

were in the school’s recessarea awaiting the next waveof children to play with.

Baker, a Walstonburg,N.C. native said, “It’s hardto keep up with some ofthese kids. They just have

so much energy.”The Marines with

HQBN are scheduled togo back to Joshua Treeand play with the childrenSept. 28. In the followingmonths, Marines from

Marine Wing SupportSquadron 371, MarineCorps Communication-Electronics School and theCombat Center Band willalso volunteer their time atJoshua Tree Elementary.

HQBN, from B1


Cpl. Joseph Bishop [right], an ammunition chief and volunteer from Headquarters Battalion, shows the children ofJoshua Tree Elementary School the finer points of swinging at the school’s playground Wednesday.The Marines werethere as part of the Adopt-a-School program where the unit could interact with schools in the local community.

weeds which were creating afire hazard.

The volunteer workmoved quickly for the sailorswith a large active duty staffof dental and hospitalcorpsmen providing help.

“Our active duty staff is42 people and we usuallyhave 10 for every trip. That isabout one fourth of all the

sailors,” Edwards said. “[Itis] hard to get up early on aSaturday to do yard work butthe goal is to [help local vet-erans and have them] pass usonto the next [veteran whoneeds help] in the area.”

With the aid of Keyesand other veterans involvedwith the VFW hall, the den-tal and hospital staff willcontinue to help the retiredveterans in the area.

VFW, from B1

CCPPLL.. AANNDDRREEWW DD.. TTHHOORRBBUURRNN

Sailors with 23rd Dental Co., pack the weeds to be prop-erly disposed after raking and de-weeding the yard of theVeterans of Foreign Wars Post 9431 Saturday. The VFWwas nearly shutdown by the Fire Marshal due to theweeds presenting a fire hazard.

september 16, 2011 since 1957 vol. 54 issue 37 m

Documents