Marines leave for Afghanistan
US Marine Corps News
5/20/2009 By Lance Cpl. John Faria, II MEF
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — The Marines and sailors of 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, bade farewell to their loved ones as they left on a deployment to Afghanistan, here, May 18.
First Sgt. Robert Pullen, senior enlisted advisor for Company G, said his Marines are going to Afghanistan to work with the local government to establish a lasting peace for the region.
“In the past it was more straightforward. Our mission was to go and secure an objective, but now we look even further to help the host nation’s government,” said Pullen. “I think one of the things that we really look at is one day our grandchildren may not have to go to this country and fight a war. I think if we go there and help stabilize the environment and make friends, then it’ll make it better for the future.”
However, the focus was on family and friends as the Marines and sailors exchanged goodbyes before their departure.
John Stys attended to see off his sons Lance Cpl. Scott and Lance Cpl. Brad, who are both infantrymen with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines. John Stys served in Vietnam with the Army’s 101st airborne division, but said that deployments are harder as a parent.
“They’ll always be your kids,” said Stys. “Even though you went through (combat), now you see what you put your parents through. It’s hard, because you know what they’re up against.”
Some laughed, some cried and some treated the day as business as usual. Yet, under it all was the knowledge that these service members were going to war to create a better tomorrow for America.
“It feels good to be leaving. We’ve worked hard towards this goal,” said Pullen. “There’s a lot of anticipation, but it feels good to finally get this thing started.”
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
