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6th Communication Battalion activates, heads to Camp Lejeune

Story by GySgt. Tim McGough
Story Identification Number: 2003131154732

NEW YORK CITY(January 31, 2003) -- With a reserve activation almost as big as in the early 90's another Marine Corps Reserve unit in New York has been activated. This week the Sixth Communication Battalion at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, N.Y., activated in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Wednesday, 29 January 2003 the Marines of 6th Comm. reported to ensure all their professional and personal affairs were in order before they deploy. The Marines will be deploying to Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

"These Marines are ready," said 1stSgt. Rudy Resto, First Sergeant of 6th Comm. Headquarters Company. "I've seen them train and their enthusiasm during training. This is what they signed up for - to be challenged."

Resto part of the Inspector/Instructor Staff at 6th Comm., served in Desert Storm and has been with 22 Marine Expeditionary Unit. His confidence in his Marines shows in their attitude and commitment. "These Devil Dogs have been waiting for this since 9-11," said Resto. "For some of them it hits home even more than others. I have Marines who've lost family and friends in the attacks on the trade towers. Some lost brothers and sisters. Some lost spouses. Theses Marines are motivated and eager to do the job that has to be done."

The unit has been packing up communication gear issuing gear and making sure they're ready for this deployment. "We have already sent vehicles to Lejeune full of gear and more are leaving everyday," said Resto.

While activated these Marines must put their civilian lives on hold until they complete their duty. One Marine at 6th Comm. had to put his school on hold. This school was not a civilian school, but a Marine school. "I was at Twenty-nine Palms with seven other Marines from here when they called us back," said Sgt. Pahlo Correa, Inspector/Instructor Staff at 6th Comm. "Things like this happen in the Marines. You adapt and overcome. It's part of being a Marine."

Correa feels that his mission during this operation won't change too much from what he has been doing since he joined the Corps. "I know this is an operational mission, but as always I plan to set the standard for my junior Marines to follow," he said. "I also want to ensure the success of the unit by assisting the Marines over me to accomplish the mission."

One of Correa's seniors will be depending on him and all the Marines at 6th Comm., but he isn't worried about how they will perform.

"I'm very, very proud of my Marines, said LtCol. Mark Ferketish, Commanding Officer of 6th Communication Battalion. "I'm confident in the strength of their commitment to the mission. They are up to any task that is thrown at us."

Ferketish also brought their mission "home" and why they are being deployed. "As we work through this mobilization process, the first step, in our continued preparation for any mission assigned, is to remember to keep SgtMaj. Curtain and GySgt. Garvey in mind," said Ferketish. "They are our models of honor, courage, commitment."

SgtMaj. Mike Curtain and GySgt. Matt Garvey were Marines with Alpha Company at 6th Comm. who were lost in the World Trade Center attacks. Curtain was with the New York City Police Department's, Emergency Service Unit and Garvey was a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department.