MM A R I N EA R I N EVOLUME 36, NUMBER 17 WWW.MCBH.USMC.MIL APRIL 28, 2006

Hawaii

SurvivalTraining Course

A-3

A Trip to theZooB-1

BaseballChampionships

C-1

Hawaii-based

Marine unit in

Iraq mourns loss

of warrior, leader

Sgt. Roe F. Seigle Regimental Combat Team 7

HADITHA, Iraq — StaffSgt. Jason C. Ramseyer will beremembered for the countlesssacrifices he made for hisbrethren Marines.

His final sacrifice camewhen he was killed April 21,2006, by an improvised explo-

sive device while on a convoyin Haditha in Iraq’s Al Anbarprovince.

Ramseyer, 28, was honoredby his fellow Marines during amemorial service at theHaditha Dam here April 23.

The Lenoir, N.C., native wasremembered as a committedleader and devout family manby those who served with him.

“He was by far the greatestleader of Marines I have everhad the honor of working for,”said Sgt. Michael Ferguson, 23,platoon sergeant assigned to3rd Battalion, 3rd MarineRegiment.

Courtesy photo

Staff Sgt. Ramseyer, picturedwith wife Amanda, was killed inIraq April 21.

Sgt. Roe F. SeigleRegimental Combat Team 7

HADITHA, Iraq — Corporal AndresAguilar will be remembered by theMarines he served with as a dedicatedyoung man who gave faith to his seniorsthat the job would always get done.

Aguilar, who died earlier this monthin a vehicle accident, was one of fourMarines memorialized during a service atthe Marines’ base in this Euphrates Rivervalley region in western Al Anbarprovince, April 18.

The other three Marines honored atthe service were: Cpl. David A. Bass, of

Nashville, Tenn.; Lance Cpl. Patrick J.Gallagher, of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Cpl.Brian R. St. Germain, of Warwick, R.I. Allthree belonged to the Camp Pendleton,Calif.-based 1st Marine Logistics Group.

Aguilar drowned when the seven-tontruck he was in rolled over in a flashflood near Al Asad, Iraq. He was amongsix other Marines and one Sailor whodied in the accident.

Aguilar was a ground communicationsrepairman for 3rd Battalion., 3rd MarineRegiment, which left their base inKaneohe Bay, Hawaii, more than amonth ago for a seven-month deploy-ment to Iraq.

The Victoria, Texas, native was a 2002graduate from Regan High School wherehe played football and soccer. He joinedthe Marine Corps June 4, 2002, andattended recruit training at Marine CorpsRecruit Depot, San Diego, Calif. He thenattended the Ground CommunicationsRepair course at the Marines’ base inTwentynine Palms, Calif.

Aguilar reported to 3rd Bn., 3rd

Indiana native

killed in Iraq

Press ReleaseMCBH Public Affairs

Corporal Eric R Lueken, 23, ofDubois, Ind., died April 22while conducting combatoperations against enemyforces in Al Anbar province,Iraq.

Lueken was a field radiooperator with 3rd Battalion,3rd Marine Regiment, 3rdMarine Division, III MarineExpeditionary Force, stationedat Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Lueken joined the MarineCorps Oct. 2003 and reportedto Hawaii May 2004. Hedeployed to Iraq March 2006.He also deployed toAfghanistan with 3rdBattalion, 3rd MarineRegiment from Nov. 2004 toJune 2005.

His awards include thePurple Heart, two CombatAction Ribbons, NationalDefense Service Medal, IraqCampaign Medal, AfghanistanCampaign Medal, Global Waron Terrorism Service Medal,and the Sea ServiceDeployment ribbon.

Lueken is survived by hisparents and brother.

Courtesy photo

Corporal Eric R Lueken, pic-tured with his grandmother,was killed in Iraq April 22.

3/3 loses 2 Marines in 2 days

3/3 Marine remembered

Photos of four Marines are displayed during a memorial service along with a rifle, dog tags,Kevlar helmet and combat boots.

Photos by Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

Memorial services were held at the Marinesí base at Haditha Dam, Iraq, April 10, 2006, for four Marines who died as a result of a vehicleaccident earlier this month in Iraqís western Al Anbar Province.

Staff Sgt. JimGoodwin

1st Marine Division

AL ASAD, Iraq —Iraqi soldiers joineddozens of U.S. troopsin the search for aSailor who has beenmissing since lastweek due to a vehiclerollover accidentnear the Marines’base here April 2.

More than 25Iraqi soldiers fromthe Al Asad-based2nd Brigade, 7thIraqi Army Division,joined dozens of U.S.Marines, Sailors and soldiers indaily search operations to recov-er several missing U.S. servicemembers from the accident.

The accident occurred whena seven-ton truck, part of aMarine combat logistics resup-ply in Al Anbar Province, rolledover during a flash-flood,according to a Marine Corpspress release.

The accident took placealong a “wadi” – a gully whichusually remains at low levelsunless rain waters fill the gully –near the Marines’ base here.

So far, two of the three miss-ing U.S. service members’ bodieshave been recovered. A U.S.Sailor – Petty Officer 3rd ClassMarcques J. Nettles ofBeaverton, Ore. – is still miss-ing.

Iraqi soldiers spent three dayscombing miles of shoreline onfoot in search of the two missingpeople. All together, seven U.S.service members are confirmeddead as a result of the accident,which is currently under investi-gation.

Their efforts seemed wel-comed by U.S. troops who hadalready about a week searchingthe accident site when the Iraqimilitary arrived to help.

“There are still people miss-ing …so the more eyes the bet-ter,” said Lance Cpl. AnthonyRasmussen, a 20-year-old radiooperator from Big Bear Lake,Calif., who spent several daysproviding mounted security in aHumvee for the various searchparties. “I’d want all these peo-

ple looking for me, if it was memissing.”

Clad in body armor andKevlar helmets and armed withAK-47 assault rifles, the Iraqispatrolled several kilometers eastof the accident site, where someon-scene personnel suspect theflash flood may have carried thebodies of the missing U.S. serv-ice members.

After three days of searching,the Iraqi soldiers were able tofind indiscriminant clothingand equipment – gloves, awatch, a pair of safety goggles –all found thousands of metersfrom the sight of the accident,evidence of the flash flood’s tor-rential strength that night.

“We feel so sad because theirfamilies are waiting on them;sad because we haven’t foundthem yet,” said Pvt. “Ahmed,”following the first day of twohour-long foot patrols in 90-degree temperatures and overrough terrain.

“I was so glad because Ithought we were going to findthem, but we didn’t,” saidAhmed, who was on the patrolwhen a U.S. military-style glovewas found along the wadi’sshoreline by an Iraqi soldier.

The search effort was the firstlarge-scale, joint operationbetween Iraqi soldiers from 2ndBrigade, 7th Iraqi Army Divisionand multiple U.S. military units,said Capt. “Raseed,” the Iraqis’on-scene commander.

“This is our strongest mis-

Iraqi soldiersjoin search formissing Sailor

Staff Sgt. Jim Goodwin

An Iraqi soldier discusses the day’s activi-ties, through a translator, with PettyOfficer 1st Class Krishnaa Reyes, a Navycorpsman for an Iraqi Army military transi-tion team April 11 during search andrecovery efforts for several missing U.S.service members who were involved in avehicle accident earlier this month.

See RAMSEYER, A- 6

See SEARCH, A- 7 See AGUILAR, A- 7

A-2 • APRIL 28, 2006 HAWAII MARINE

NEWS BRIEFS

Commanding General Brig. Gen. Steven A. HummerBase Sergeant Major Sgt. Maj. Anthony E. FranksPublic Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Patricia JohnsonPublic Affairs Chief Gunnery Sgt. Claudia LaMantiaManaging Editor Staff Sgt. Ronna M. WeylandPress Chief Staff Sgt. Ronna M. Weyland News and Sports Editor Tony BlazejackLifestyles Editor Corinne KnutsonCombat Correspondent Cpl. Megan L. StinerCombat Correspondent Cpl. Michelle M. DicksonCombat Correspondent Cpl. Sara A. CarterCombat Correspondent Lance Cpl. Ryan TrevinoCombat Correspondent Lance Cpl. Edward C. deBreeCombat Correspondent Lance Cpl. Roger L. Nelson

The Hawaii Marine is an unofficial newspaper publishedevery Friday by MidWeek Printing, Inc., 45-525 Luluku Road,Kaneohe, HI 96744, a private firm in no way connected with theU.S. Marine Corps, under exclusive contract to the U.S. MarineCorps. This civilian enterprise is an authorized publication formembers of the military services.

Contents of the Hawaii Marine are not necessarily the officialviews of or endorsed by the United States Government, theDepartment of Defense or the U.S. Marine Corps. All advertisingis provided by MidWeek Printing, Inc., 529-4700.

The appearance of advertising in the Hawaii Marine, includ-ing inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsementby the DoD, DoN or the U.S. Marine Corps of the products orservices advertised.

Everything advertised in the Hawaii Marine shall be madeavailable for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race,color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physicalhandicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor ofthe purchaser, user or patron.

Editorial content or public service announcements (i.e., allcontent other than paid advertisements) is edited, prepared andprovided by the Public Affairs Office aboard Marine Corps BaseHawaii. Opinions expressed are not to be considered an officialexpression of the DoD or the U.S. Marine Corps.

Submit items for the Hawaii Marine to managing editor nolater than noon on the Friday prior to publication, using the fol-lowing addresses:

HAWAII MARINE, BOX 63062, BUILDING 216, MCB HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, HAWAII 96863

E-MAIL: EDITOR@HAWAIIMARINE.COM

FAX: 257-1289, PHONE: 257-8835

HawaiiMARINE

Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society Fundraiser

This year’s fundraising drive is underway andwill end today. Service members who would liketo donate to the NMCRS should contact theirunit representative who is spearheading theNMCRS fundraiser for their unit.

Parade and Concert

There will be “A Salute to Our Troops” Waikikiparade and outdoor concert to salute all Hawaii-based military personnel, including the men andwomen of the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, MarineCorps, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves

The Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. May 6 fromFort DeRussy and continue on to Kalakaua andMonsarrat avenues and end at Kapiolani Park at11:30 a.m.

The outdoor concert, featuring John Legend,will begin at 12:05 p.m. at Kapiolani ParkBandstand and Main Stage and end at 4:45 p.m.

For additional information, call 836-3351.

Plan ahead for May case lot sale

The annual May worldwide case lot sale takesplace at nearly all commissaries next monthwith values and customers should plan ahead totake advantage of the sale. The sale gives shop-pers the chance to buy bulk quantities of theirfavorite products at savings of up to 50 percent;far above the 30 percent or more they normallysave by shopping at their commissary. You’ll beable to find sale dates and locations atwww.commissaries.com later this month to giveyou plenty of time to plan your shopping trip.

Parking Lot Closure

The Base Theater parking lot will be closeduntil Aug. 23 for repairs and improvements.

For more information, call Base Facilities at257-2171.

Phone Number Change

The Navy and Marine Corps Relief Societyphone numbers have changed. The new numbersare: 257-1972, 257-1973, and 257-1975 (fax)

For more information, contact Marie Charron,administrative clerk, base adjutant’s office at 257-8812.

Hawaii Marine Accepts Letters

Letters should be clear and concise. TheHawaii Marine staff reserves the right to edit let-ters for clarity and length. Comments must besigned with a full name and a telephone numbermust be provided.

All letters and news briefs should be e-mailedto: editor@hawaiimarine.com.

Important Phone Numbers:

On-Base EmergenciesMilitary PoliceChild Protective ServiceFraud, Waste, Abuse & EEOBusiness Management HotlinePothole & Streetlight RepairBase InformationMCBH Duty Chaplain

Today Saturday Sunday

Day — Partly cloudy with isolatedshowers. East winds 10 to 15 mph. Chanceof rain 20 percent.

Night — Partly cloudy with isolatedshowers. East winds 10 to 15 mph. Chanceof rain 20 percent.

High — 80Low — 69

Day — PPartly cloudy with isolatedshowers. East winds 10 to 15 mph.Chance of rain 20 percent.

Night — Partly cloudy with isolatedshowers. East winds 10 to 15 mph.Chance of rain 20 percent.

High — 80Low — 69

Day — Partly cloudy with isolatedshowers. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.Chance of rain 20 percent.

Night — Partly cloudy with isolatedshowers. East winds 10 to 15 mph.Chance of rain 20 percent.

High — 80Low — 69

Weekend weather outlook

911257-7114832-5300257-8852257-3188257-2380449-7110257-7700

Lance Cpl. Roger L. NelsonCombat Correspondent

Colonel Michael E. Love, commanding officer,Marine Aircraft Group 24, here, and Lt. CmdrDoug Bryan, base supply officer, here, cut the rib-bon at the grand opening of the Anderson HallSatellite Dining Facility April 24.

According to Chief Warrant Officer RichardMartinez, food service officer, HeadquartersBattalion, the new facility has changed a lot to

accommodate the Marines and Sailors.“The outside lanai has been expanded by 120

square feet, and closed off so air conditioning canbe used,” said Martinez. “We made the chow hallinto a sports theme, and was completed in collab-oration with our contractor, but the majority ofthe work was done by our own Marines andSeabees.”

Martinez said the main reason the mess hallwas renovated was to increase capacity for theMarines.

“We wanted to give the Marines and Sailors aplace where they can go to chow and sit down andrelax in the air conditioning,” said Martinez.

The additions to the chow hall cost approxi-mately $141,000 and were well worth it, said Love.

“I’ve been to every Marine Corps base andnone of the wings have as nice of a cafeteria asthis,” said Love. “This will make going to lunch alot easier than driving all the way to the main din-ing facility. It will allow them to eat and be back atwork in a lot shorter amount of time.”

Lance Cpl. Roger L. Nelson

Col. Michael E. Love, commanding officer, Marine Aircraft Group 24, and Lt. Cmdr. Doug Bryan, base supply officer, here, cut the ribbon at the grand open-ing of the Anderson Hall Satellite Dining Facility April 24.

Mess hall celebrates opening

Lance Cpl. Roger L. Nelson Combat Correspondent

Over the past several monthsHawaii Pacific University, workingin conjunction with the JointEducation Center here, hasupgraded its software to computer-ize the College Level ExaminationProgram testing.

A paper based CLEP test, anexam that can be taken in place ofa college course, has been offeredin previous years, but as of April21, all Department of Defenseidentification cardholders will beable to take tests without havingto wait for a grade.

The lab will offer CLEP testingevery Friday from 9 until 11 a.m.,11a.m. until 1 p.m. and 2 until 4p.m. In order to take the examHPU must be contacted to set upan available time for testing.

“If the time comes when testingis needed on a more often basis,we’ll start opening the lab onother days or for longer hours,”said Loretta Cornett-Huff, com-mand education services, JointEducation Center

“It’s a good way to get college

courses out of the way withoutactually having to attend the class.I don’t think military membersknow how easy it is for them to getan education. They can take thetests and get instant results. ACLEP test can’t be failed so there’sno reason why it shouldn’t bedone.”

With the old paper based ver-sion of the exam it took six toeight weeks to get the results.

The new computer based test isoffered at no-cost to active dutymilitary personnel, but everyone

else will have to pay a fee of $75. “Active duty military that are

enrolled in the schools on basehave priority of the lab, but any-one can use the lab for things likeresearch,” said Cornett-Huff. “Alist of tests can be found at thelab.”

Dave Terry, CLEP program coor-dinator, HPU, said there was 16different tests that could be takenon a paper based exam, but thecomputer exams have over 30 teststo take and that Mega Video, here,has over $10,000 worth of videos

that are made to prepare a studentfor a CLEP test at no charge.

“Military personnel don’t real-ize how much informationthey’ve known or obtainedthroughout their military career,”said Cornett-Huff. “The studentsare what keep the lab going, so Ihope they put it to good use. Theonly thing I can compare the teststo is a slice of bread, you can’t gowrong.”

For more information aboutCLEP testing contact HawaiiPacific University at 254-2687.

Lance Cpl. Roger L. Nelson

Dave Terry, CLEP program managager, Hawaii Pacific University, explains how the new testing facility will workApril 19, at Building 219.

Paperless

CLEP offered

HAWAII MARINE APRIL 28, 2006 • A-3

Story and Photos by LanceCpl. Roger L. Nelson

Combat Correspondent

Every year each Marine mustqualify in a pool to prove they havebasic water survival skills, but someMarines must push the limits andmust qualify on a more difficultcourse.

“The Marines out here are actual-ly doing a pre-qual for the AviationSurvival Training Program atMiramar, Calif.,” said Petty Officer2nd Class Damon K. Browne, airmedical safety corpsman, MarineAircraft Group 24. “It’s a three dayclass where they sit through a lot ofclasses and then do things like theHelo Dunker and Sweat Box, butwe’re just working on the basicsduring our training.”

Browne said their training con-sists of a work-up where theMarines swim with flight gear on inorder to help them become AerialObservers.

“It’s the first time the Marineswill get to swim with all of the gearon so it’s good for them,” said 31-year-old Browne. “While atMiramar the Marines will have toswim with all of the gear and man-

ually inflate their flotation collarafter floating for a long period oftime. If they pass all of the coursesin the ASTC, then they can becomeAerial Observers.”

According to Browne the hardestpart of the training for the Marinesis swimming with the gear on.

“When a Marine does fail thecourse it’s usually due to how hardit is to swim with all of the gearon,” said Browne, a Lakefield,Minn. native. “They have to swimwith boots, a flight suit, flight hel-met, gloves and air-safe vest. Allthat gear gets pretty heavy andmake it pretty difficult for theMarines.”

Corporal Isaiah P. Bryan, flightline mechanic, Marine HeavyHelicopter Squadron 362, agrees.

“It makes it so much tougher,with gear,” said Bryan. “I can onlyimagine how much easier it wouldbe without the gear on.”

Browne said he thinks the train-ing is very effective and beneficialfor the Marines.

“If the Marines didn’t do thistraining they wouldn’t know whatto expect once they got toMiramar,” said Browne. “Especiallysince this is their first time being in

the water with full flight gear on.”Browne said this training is done

whenever the units need it.“Whenever a unit needs someone

for an Aerial Observer billet we willstart working with the Marine toprepare him for what he willencounter at Miramar,” saidBrowne.

The Aviation Survival TrainingProgram Marines will go throughincludes four types of aviationphysiology and water survival train-ing that consist of the initial train-ing; specialized, supplemental andadvanced continuation training;refresher continuation training; andadjunctive training that augmentsthe basic refresher cycle.

There are many requirements,including physical prerequisites, aMarine must have before beingaccepted to the survival course.

If a Marine were to arrive inMiramar and fail the ASTP, theywould come back here and wouldn’tbe allowed to have another oppor-tunity to become an AerialObserver, said Browne.

“It’s not an impossible course toconquer, people just need to getpast the swimming with gear andthey’ll do just fine,” said Browne.

Qualifying for

Survival Training CourseLance Cpl. Ron F. Ford, ordnance technician, HMH-362, works on one of the strokes he will need to do to qual while in Miramar, Calif, April 19, at the Officer's Club Pool.

Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 362 do a prequalat the Officer's Club Pool, April 19. The Marines are preparing forthe real qualifications at Miramar, Calif.

Combat boots and other gear sit next to the pool. Petty Officer 2nd Class Damon K. Browne, air medical safety corpsman, Marine Aircraft Group 24,assists Cpl. Isaiah P. Bryan, flight line mechanic, HMH-362, with his prequal before heading toCalifornia.

Corporal. Bryan P. Isaiah, flight line mechanic, HMH-362, checks the time on his watch to see how muchtime he has left in the water.

A-4 • APRIL 28, 2006 HAWAII MARINE

Capt. Chris PerrinePublic Affairs Officer

RAMADI, Iraq — In a citymost recently known for vio-lence and instability, the AlAnbar Provincial Counciltook significant democraticstrides Wednesday. They met,and they voted. The two actssound simple to an American,but they are heroic accom-plishments in Ramadi.

Twenty provincial councilmembers elected a new chair-man, selecting a replacementfor the chairman who waskilled nearly a month agowhen exiting a mosque.Although the council normal-ly meets at least once permonth, this was the firstmeeting since January 5 dueto recent instability.

The meeting began whenthe council selected the oldestmember present to serve asthe honorary president of thegathering. It is important inthis culture to honor the eld-ers, and the Iraqis meld theirtraditional values with morewestern democratic practices.

As business resumed, thecouncil took nominations tofill the vacant chairman’s

position, emphasizing thatthe four female council mem-bers were eligible for the posi-tion. Only one candidate wasnominated, but each memberhad the chance to vote, mark-ing a small victory for democ-racy. The sitting vice chair-man, Dr. Abd Salem, waselected as the new chairman,leaving a vacancy at the vice

chair position.A second round of nomina-

tions resulted in two candi-dates for the position of vicechair. In a moment of levity,the provincial governor triedto nominate his councilwoman wife, who laughinglydeclined. A vote followed,and Councilman KamisAhmed Alabtan won with a

vote of 15 to 5. The voteswere validated by GovernorMa’moun Sami Rachid;Marine Brig. Gen. David G.Reist, Deputy CommandingGeneral of Support for Multi-National Force-West; and Col.Frank J. Corte, 3rd CivilAffairs Group DetachmentCommander and advisor.

Dr. Abd Salem gave a short

acceptance speech, declaring“I will work for the sons ofthe province and do what Ican.”

He also exhorted his fellowcouncil members to representtheir constituents well byquoting passages from theKoran. He told them, “If youdon’t give good advice to thepeople, you won’t go to heav-en.”

In an encouraging sign ofsolidarity, Salem also said thatthere are no differences insect or ethnicity in Al Anbar.All residents are Iraqis.

Many pundits questionwhether democracy can takehold in Iraq, but with the vot-ing concluded the councilproved itself as capable ofdemocratic action as anywestern assembly and movedon to other business for theday. The council membersdiscussed various issues, fromsecurity to weapons permitsto death certificates to recon-struction projects.

Much of the discussionfocused on security, one ofthe most pressing issues inRamadi and the rest of AlAnbar. The provincial chief ofpolice, Brig. Gen. Shaman,addressed the council and dis-cussed recent success withrecruiting Iraqi police, as wellas plans to recruit hundredsmore in the near future. Hepromised that the security sit-uation would improve withthe much-needed additional

manpower. There are nowapproximately 1,300 police-men in Ramadi.

Prior to the council meet-ing, Shaman participated inan intense meeting with twoIraqi army brigade command-ers, Brig. Gen. Reist and Gov.Ma’moun to discuss the secu-rity issue. The leaders dis-cussed many of the challengesthey face and debated somesolutions. They also discussedthe conduct of the Iraqi army,due to complaints the gover-nor has received from civil-ians. After describing onecomplaint, the governor relat-ed a story about an Iraqi offi-cer who set a good exampleby reprimanding an Iraqi sol-dier who mistreated a Ramadicitizen.

“I respect that officer,” saidMa’moun. “We are all onearmy, and we are all Iraqi.”

The Iraqi army does not yetoperate independently fromU.S. forces in Ramadi, but it isassuming an increasing role.The fact that it operates in thecity at all is a considerablesign of improvement. Lessthan two years ago the Iraqiarmy essentially did not exist.There are now approximatelymore than 17,000 Iraqi sol-diers in Al Anbar, includingelements of two divisions,and the recruiting effort con-tinues. Three Iraqi brigadesconduct independent opera-tions in territory that theycontrol.

Capt. Chris Perrine

Gov. Ma’moun Sami Rachid discusses security in Ramadi April 12 with two Iraqi brigade commandersand his provincial police chief.

Lance Cpl. Roger L.Nelson

Combat Correspondent

Since the beginning ofNovember 2005, Gas & More,has been undergoing con-struction to make using thepumps better for users.

“West Coast Constructionis who is doing the work, andwhat they’re doing is replac-ing the canopy over the gaspumps,” said Mike Bailey,store manager, Gas & More,here. “The new canopy will beused to keep customers drywhen it rains and to providethem with shade.”

According to Bailey, thecanopy will also help to keepthe pumps in good workingconditions.

“All of the constructionwill cost approximately$585,000, and is scheduled tobe finished sometime in July,”said Bailey. “I think the worstpart about the constructionbeing done is the wait that it’scausing the consumer. I’d sayin peak hours from like 7 to 9a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. the waitis usually around 10 minutes,but other then that the wait isusually very short.”

Bailey said that since con-struction has been going onbusiness at the gas station hasfallen.

“We definitely have lostsome business, but I think it’sdue to other things as well,”said Bailey. “I don’t reallythink that the construction isstopping people from buyinggas here, and I certainly don’tthink they’re going elsewhereto pay higher prices. I thinkpeople just aren’t driving asmuch due to the increase ingas prices, which is causingthe change in our business.”

Iraqis elect replacement chairman

Capt. Chris Perrine

An Al Anbar Provincial Council Woman casts her vote for the newcouncil vice chairman April 12 in the first council meeting sinceJanuary 5. The council also elected a new chairman to replace theformer chairman who was killed when leaving a mosque last month.

Gas construction nears completion

Lance Cpl. Roger L. Nelson

Workers from West Coast Construction work on The Gas & More station April 26. It has under construc-tion since November and is scheduled to be completed in July.

HAWAII MARINE APRIL 28, 2006 • A-5

Cpl. Michelle M. Dickson

There are currently two housing construction projects in progress aboard MCB Hawaii. The construction to replace 212 junior enlisted units began in August 2003 and the construction to replace 46 junior enlist-ed and field grade units began in December 2004. A total of 226 junior enlisted and 32 field grade officer units will be built. The houses are being built to replace homes originally built during 1957 and 1963.The junior enlisted families will begin moving in during May-June 2006 timeframe and field grade officers will begin moving in during the September-October 2006 timeframe. Both families currently in old basehousing and families who are on the waiting list will be eligable to move into the new housing.

Cpl. Sarah M. Maynard MCB Camp Butler

CAMP LESTER, OKINAWA,Japan — A Marine is shot incombat in Iraq and medicallyevacuated to LandstuhlRegional Medical Center inGermany for treatment.Somewhere along the trip, theMarine loses his medical recordand the doctor who treats himhas no idea about the Marine'sprior health and will have a dif-ficult time finding out how totreat the Marine.

To prevent this scenariofrom occurring, the U.S. NavalHospital Okinawa, along withthe entire Department ofDefense, is in the first phase of atransfer from the CompositeHealth Care System to ArmedForces Health LongitudinalTechnology Application, a new,global medical record database,according to Cmdr. MargaretBeaubien, the project officer forUSNH Okinawa.

The AHLTA system makespatients' health informationimmediately available to civil-ian and military medical profes-sionals around the world via acomputer global database,

Beaubien explained.Under the current health

care program, the method ofstoring health information isvaried from one military treat-ment facility to the next, mak-ing transference of data diffi-cult, Beaubien explained. Thenew system eliminates a lot ofproblems related to the papermedical records.

"Doctors depend on healthrecords for a patient's medicalhistory," Beaubien said. "Thoserecords can easily be misplaced,or left at a different medicaltreatment facility. Once fullyemployed, AHLTA will providea secure, comprehensive andlegible computerized healthrecord, available to anyprovider at any time, anywherein the world."

The new system is a majorstep forward for the militarymedical profession, accordingto Beaubien.

"The first transition (to thenew system) will be completeon Okinawa in May," she said."At that point AHLTA will con-tain the last 25 months of datafor each patient and will have

DoD medicalrecords readyto go global

New homes on the block

See RECORDS, A- 7

A-6 • APRIL 28, 2006 HAWAII MARINE

The Hawaii-based “America’s Battalion” arrived in Iraq aboutsix weeks ago to replace another Marine battalion conductingsecurity operations in this region along the Euphrates River.

Ramseyer was the platoon commander for the battalion’sForward Command Post, also known as the “Jump CP.” His joboften required him to travel on Al Anbar’s dangerous roads to pro-vide security for Iraqis and other Marines.

“The world was a better place when Staff Sgt. Ramseyer washere,” said Ferguson.

Ramseyer joined the Marine Corps in June 1996. He reported tothe Hawaii-based 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment inNovember 2003, and deployed with the unit to Afghanistan insupport of Operation Enduring Freedom last year.

For duty in Iraq, Ramseyer was hand-selected by Lt. Col.Norman L. Cooling, the battalion’s commanding officer, as theplatoon commander for the Jump CP – a duty his Marines say heperformed with consummate professionalism and unparalleledvalor.

“He had courage,” said Ferguson, who was also exposed to theblast that killed Ramseyer. “He would always go to the front lineand he never showed fear in doing so. He had the mentality of atrue warrior.”

“He would never put a Marine in a dangerous situation he wasnot willing to put himself in first,” said Gunnery Sgt. MichaelKiernan, 33, company gunnery sergeant for the battalion’sHeadquarters and Service Company.

“His Marines respected him because he treated them, regardlessof rank, with the respect and dignity they deserved. He was a greatfriend and a great Marine. We will all miss him.”

Kiernan also said that aside for his love for the Marine Corpsand his Marines, Ramseyer was also a dedicated family man.Kiernan remembers one Christmas Eve staying up all night assist-ing Ramseyer assemble a trampoline for his children.

“He strived to have the perfect family,” said Kiernan. “He cher-ished every minute he had with his wife and children. He evennamed his weapons and protective equipment after them. Therewas nothing he would not do for them.”

Ramseyer’s past duty assignments include: 3rd Battalion, 8thMarine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.; mor-tar instructor at The Basic School at Marine Corps Base, Quantico,Va.; martial arts instructor at the Martial Arts Center of Excellenceat Quantico, Va.

Ramseyer’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine CorpsCommendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps AchievementMedal (3rd Award) and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Ramseyer is survived by his wife, Amanda and his three chil-dren, Caleb, Riley and Cadence.

Photos by Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

Members from the Hawaii-based 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment held a memorial service for Lenoir, N.C., native Staff Sgt. Jason C. Ramseyer April 23 at their base at Haditha, Iraq. Ramseyer was killed ina roadside blast April 20.

A Marine with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, pays finalrespects to Staff Sgt. Jason C. Ramseyer.

RAMSEYER, from A-1

HAWAII MARINE APRIL 28, 2006 • A-7

the ability to document all newoutpatient encounters."

Because the new medicalrecord is a computer database,the program will eventuallybecome a smart program,Beaubien explained.

"AHLTA will be able to scanrecords and medical histories tospot trends," Beaubien said."This will help identify any-thing from a possible medicalcondition in a single person toan epidemic in a local area."

When the program reachesfull functionality in 2011,AHLTA will also contain labora-tory information, in-patientrecords, X-rays and pharmaceu-tical information. Althoughthat time is still a long way off,the ultimate goal of the medicaldatabase is to completely elimi-nate the paper health record,Beaubien explained.

"There will not be enoughdata to give up the paper healthrecord for some time yet,"Beaubien said. "Until AHLTAcan function completely as aglobal system, the old paperrecords will not go away. Thepaper record is still the officialmethod of maintaining ahealth record.

"Until the records are phasedout, doctors will print an outpa-tient encounter sheet, to beplaced in the record," she con-tinued. "After the phase-out,patients will still be able torequest printed records fromtheir doctors."

Marine Regiment March 25,2003.

Prior to his deployment toIraq, Aguilar made two priordeployments – once as part ofthe Battalion Landing Teamfor the Okinawa, Japan-based31st Marine ExpeditionaryUnit and once last year inAfghanistan in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom.

“He always gave me faiththe job would always getdone,” said Aguilar’s PlatoonCommander, 1st Lt. BrendenMooney. “He was a strongand dedicated young man. Iwatched him take seven otherjunior Marines under hiswing and train them.”

Mooney, and approximate-ly 150 other Marines andSailors attended Aguilar’smemorial service April 10 inthe Haditha Dam, located inHaditha, Iraq. SeveralMarines who knew Aguilarspoke of his dedication to theMarine Corps, his family andthe Marines he served with.

“He could fix anything,”said Staff Sgt. Gatai Patu. “Hewill be surely missed by all ofus.”

Aguilar’s awards includethe Navy and Marine CorpsAchievement Medal, theNavy Unit CommendationRibbon, the Marine CorpsGood Conduct Medal, theNational Defense ServiceMedal, the AfghanistanCampaign Medal, the IraqiCampaign Medal, the GlobalWar on Terrorism ServiceMedal and the Sea ServiceDeployment Ribbon.

He is survived by his moth-er, Olivia Aguilar and hisfather, Andres Aguilar, Sr.

The other three confirmedU.S. service members whodied in the accident, all from1st MLG, were – Lance Cpl.Felipe D. Sandoval-Flores, ofLos Angeles; Staff Sgt.Abraham G. Twitchell, ofYelm, Wash.; and Lance Cpl.Eric A. Palmisano, ofFlorence, Wis. A U.S. Sailor,Petty Officer 3rd ClassMarcques J. Nettles, ofBeaverton, Ore., is still listedas “Duty Status –Whereabouts Unknown”from the accident.

sion, more than any other,” saidRaseed.

The operation was especiallyimportant to the Iraqi soldierssince many of them have fami-lies of their own, he said.

Furthermore, 2nd Brigade haslost five of soldiers in the past sixmonths, so the Iraqi soldierssympathize with the families ofthose lost, said Raseed.

“This is a very humanitarianmission,” said Raseed. “Evenbefore this mission, we work asone team, one family.”

The Iraqis’ efforts came nearlya week into the search, which hascontinued for more than 10 daysnow.

While the Iraqi soldierssearched along one side of theWadi, Marines and U.S. soldiersfrom Al Asad used everythingfrom heavy equipment tractorsto shovels and even digging byhand to carefully search throughtons of water and sediment inhopes of finding the missingMarine.

They even used metal detec-tors in hopes of finding Nettlesand lost equipment.

One Marine engineer onscene said he received nearly 200hits on his metal detector, themajority of which proved to benothing more than false readings– rebar, concertina wire, sodacans and other metal objectsburied in the wadi’s sediment.

“It’s frustrating,” said Cpl.Scott Shoptaw, a 20-year-oldcombat engineer from Cabot,Ark., who has spent days nowsearching the wadi’s waist-highwaters. “You want to find them

more than anything.”With each passing day of the

search, the waters became shal-lower, making search efforts easi-er, according to several Marinecombat engineers on site.

While the Iraqi soldiers foundseveral items along the wadi’sshores, U.S. troops discoveredseveral items as well, to includeU.S. military body armor, nightvision goggles and several rifles.

“It’s good to find pieces toguide you towards, hopefully,something larger in this illogicalnightmare,” said Shoptaw, takinga break from wading through thewadi’s brown waters.

By the end of the second dayof their search efforts, the Iraqisoldiers had similar results –they’d found just a handful ofitems presumed to belong to theaccident victims.

“We have frustration, but wethink we will get them,” said Sgt.“Salah,” a 40-year-old Iraqi sol-dier who added that the searchefforts were even more impor-tant than combating insurgentsin Rutbah, which he participatedin last year.

Despite seemingly endlessfoot patrols through rugged ter-rain, swarms of mosquitoes nip-ping at their exposed skin, andsweltering heat, the Iraqi soldiers’priority was finding the missingMarine and Sailor, said Salah.

“We don’t care if we have tostay longer; I’m used to theweather,” said Salah, who want-ed to stay beyond the scheduledthree days to continue thesearch. “Everybody wants to findthem to help their families.”

“Maybe they have kids,”interrupts another soldier, one of

several who gathered aroundSalah as he spoke. “We knowbecause we have families and weknow how they would feel if thishappened to us.”

Raseed said that his soldiersworked tirelessly to search thearea for the missing service mem-bers. Some even volunteered tostrip off their boots and searchthe waters, instead of along thewadi’s shores, he said.

“They are searching the riverby themselves,” said Raseed, whoadded that he is proud of his sol-diers’ initiative to search thewaters. “Already some of the sol-diers have volunteered to go intothe water to look for the Marines.They are all heroes to me.”

A handful of Marines fromRegimental Combat Team 7assisted the Iraqis with theirthree-day search. The Marinesare part of 2nd Brigade’s part-nered Military Transition Team -groups of Coalition service mem-bers assigned to track and guideeach Iraqi military unit’s progres-sion towards independent opera-tions.

Transition team members for2nd Brigade have evaluated andmentored the unit’s 300 or so sol-diers for more than three monthsnow.

“Three months ago, theywould not have been able to con-duct sustained operations likethis,” said Maj. Jonathan P.Dunne, operations officer for2nd Brigade’s transition team.“When we got here (to Iraq),their focus was very limited.”

In the past three months, theMarines say the Iraqi soldiershave made steady progress,learning everything from basic

marksmanship to administrativeprocesses and the tactical deci-sion-making skills they’ll need tooperate on their own, whichCoalition officials say will hap-pen by year’s end.

The brigade’s ability to coordi-nate and conduct the searchefforts was another step in thatprogression, as it was the firsttrue test of the Iraqis’ ability toplan, coordinate and conduct asustained operation away fromtheir camp at Al Asad.

Now, the Iraqi soldiers arebeginning to understand how toconduct the basic fundamentalsrequired for a military unit to sus-tain itself, said Dunne, aFlossmoor, Ill., native.

During the recovery opera-tion, the Iraqi soldiers providedtheir own security, coordinatelogistical support, and establish abase of operations from which tocoordinate the search efforts.

The Iraqi soldiers coordinatedtheir efforts with adjacentMarine and U.S. Army unitssearching the area, whichrequired advanced, detailed plan-ning – a stark improvementfrom three months ago, saidDunne.

“They understand the impor-tance of finding (them),” addedStaff Sgt. Jasper K. Key, the transi-tion team’s communicationschief. Key was one of the Marinesassisting the Iraqis with searchefforts.

Though the soldiers still havemore progress to make beforethey can relieve Coalition Forceshere by year’s end, the Marinessay that the Iraqi soldiers “aregetting better” and beginning tounderstand the in’s and out’s of

soldiering.“Many initially said they

joined for the money, but aftertalking to them, they say they’rein it for a better Iraq,” said Key,who spent three days assistingthe Iraqi soldiers with searchoperations. “They want a betterIraq.”

Key knows all too well theimportance of finding missingservicemembers’ remains. In2000, the 33-year-old was part ofa joint task force which recoveredthe remains of two U.S. pilots inVietnam. At one of the pilot’sfunerals, the family was quiteappreciative of their efforts, saidKey, an Oxford, Miss., native.

“It’s a big relief for familiesonce their sons or daughters arereturned,” said Key, who led sev-eral of the foot patrols with Iraqisoldiers to search for Nettles. “Itdoes mean a lot.”

Navy Petty Officer 1st ClassKrishnna J. Reyes, the transitionteam’s medical corpsman, alsoaccompanied the Iraqi soldiersduring their search efforts. The16-year Navy veteran, who saidhe’s met the missing sailor – afellow Navy corpsman – agreeswith Key’s sentiments.

“If I was one of those familymembers of one of the missing,I’d look at it like this: everyoneout there (searching) is makingan impact,” said Reyes, resting inthe back of a humvee following atwo-hour foot patrol along thewadi. “I wouldn’t care if he wasAmerican or Iraqi, purple orgreen.”

Editor’s Note: The names of theIraqi soldiers featured in this articlehave been changed to protect theiridentities.

AGUILAR, from A-1

RECORDS, from A-5

SEARCH, from A-1

LL I F E S T Y L E SI F E S T Y L E SHawaii

MM A R I N EA R I N E

HAWAII MARINE B SECTION APRIL 28, 2006

Gone WildStory and photos by

Cpl. Michelle M. DicksonCombat Correspondent

Located in the heart ofHonolulu, the Honolulu Zoo wel-comes more than 750,000 peopleannually, and offers a differentscene than the beaches, hikingtrails and plantations on theisland.

“I haven’t been to this particu-lar zoo before but I was prettyimpressed,” said MelissaRentflejs, military family mem-ber. “Even though the zoo isn’tvery big, they still have a lot ofanimals and everything I wouldexpect to see at a zoo.”

Opened daily from 9 a.m.until 4:30 p.m., the park has pic-nic areas where visitors can enjoytheir lunch while seeing the ani-

mals, and also a children’s zoofor children of all ages. The chil-dren’s zoo is open from 9 a.m.until 4 p.m. and the childrenmust be accompanied by anadult. Once inside, they are wel-comed to pet goats, sheep,miniature horses, cows and otherdomesticated animals.

The rest of the zoo grounds arecovered with animals such as rhi-noceros’, zebras, lions, tigers,hyenas, primates, giraffes, exoticbirds, lizards, crocodiles, ele-phants and hippos.

“I’ve been here before but it’s anice place to come to once in awhile on the weekend instead ofjust going to the beach or some-thing,” said Lance Cpl. LeeannGutkowski, inbound clerk, instal-lation personnel administrationcenter, Headquarters Battalion.“I was happy to see the hyenas

today because last time I washere I didn’t see them at all.”

For Military personnel andfamily members 13 years andolder, who have a kama’ainacard, it’s $4 to enter the grounds.General admission is $6 for those13 years and older, $1 for chil-dren ages six to 12 and free forfive-year-olds and younger.

“It’s definitely a nice place totake the family on a sunny day,”said Rentflejs. “The childrenhere look so excited, especiallywhen the hippos were being fed.I always loved the zoo when Iwas little and it brings backmemories seeing all these kidsout here.”

The zoo is open to the publicevery day except Christmas. Formore information, visitwww.honoluluzoo.org , or call926-3191.

Melissa Rentflejs, Germantown, Wisc. native and a military familymember, admires the tortoises during her first visit to the HonoluluZoo.

Gharials, a threatened species native to Northern India bask in the sun at the Honolulu Zoo,April 23.

A child’s fingers press against the glass as a hippopotamus finishes an apple at the Honolulu Zoo April 23. Hippos are primarily hebivoresThey are native to the rivers, lakes, swamps and wallows of Africa.

A mangrove moniter lizard hangs out at the Honolulu Zoo. Thelizards tongue, which has no taste buds is used to detect movement.

Flamingos are extremely sociable birds, in the wild colonies can number into the thousands. Flamingos spend approximately 30 percent of their time breening, distributing oil from a gland near their tails to therest of their feathers for waterproofing.

B-2 • APRIL 28, 2006 HAWAII MARINE

Prices: For Friday and Saturday shows at 7:15, prices are $3 for adults, 12 and older; $1.50 for children 6to 11. Matinee prices are $2 for adults, $1 for children. Parents must purchase tickets for R-rated movies in per-son at the box office for children 16-years-old and younger. Prices for Sunday, Wednesday shows at 6:30 andFriday and Saturday shows at 9:45 are $2 for adults and $1.50 for children. Show your ID card when purchas-ing tickets. Entry is free for children 5 and younger.

Sneak Preview Policy: One hour and 45 minutes prior to the movie, tickets will be issued to first prioritypatrons waiting in line, then second and third priority patrons.

In an effort to prevent piracy, the following security measures will be enforced on base for sneak preview screen-ings: bag checks, confiscation of cameras or cell phones with picture taking capability (items will be returned afterscreening), magnetometer wanding, audience scanning with night vision goggles during screening.

The Base Theater and film companies thank you in advance for your cooperation and hope you will enjoy theshow. For recorded information, call the Base Theater at 254-7642.

MMOVIEOVIE TTIMEIMEAquamarine (PG)16 Blocks (PG-13)Failure to Launch (PG-13)The Hills Have Eyes (R) Aquamarine (PG)Ultraviolet (PG-13) Ultraviolet (PG-13)The Shaggy Dog (PG)Failure to Launch (PG-13)

Today at 7:15 p.m.Today at 9:45 p.m.Saturday at 7:15 p.m.Saturday at 9:45 p.m.Sunday at 2:00 p.mSunday at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at 6:30 p.mFriday at 7:15 p.m.Friday at 9:45 p.m.

Kahuna’s Sports Bar &Grill

254-7660/7661

Live music by Slug, starts tonightat 10 p.m. The bands repertoireincludes hits from Zeppelin andHendrix to Tool and Godsmack.

Texas Hold ’em, Saturday at 6 p.m.The limit is 50 players, $5 buy-in getsyou in the game.

This Cinco de Mayo celebratewith Dita Holifield starting at 6 p.m.next Friday. Mexican pupus and drinkswill be served.

Staff NCO Club254-5481

Friday Night on the Rocksallows you to bring friends to the Clubvia Guest Cards. Invitations are madeavailable to unit reps and members bythe club, and can be reused every lastFriday of the month.

In honor of Cinco de MayoFriday, Mexican beverages and pupuswill shake things up along with musicfrom 4:30 to 10 p.m. Open to clubmembers and sponsored guests.

The Officers’ Club254-7650

Mongolian Barbecue Wednesdayand Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the LanaiBallroom. Present your card for mem-ber discount. Reservations recommend-ed.

Cinco de Mayo Friday from 5 to 10p.m. Enjoy Mexican pupus and DJmusic. Open to members and spon-sored guests.

All Hands

Island Activity and TravelExpo, a free family event at MokapuMall Saturday from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Call254-7563.

Transition Assistance Program(TAP) Seminar will be held Mondaythrough Thursday at Building 279, 2ndDeck at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Open toall hands within one year of separation.Call 257-7790.

FBI Recruitment Presentationis this Monday from 10 a.m. to noon inBuilding 267, Room 2.

Reservations required, call 257-7790.

Asian Pacific AmericanHeritage Display will begin showingfrom Monday through May 15 at theBase Library in celebration of AsianAmerican/Pacific Islander month. Call254-7624 for details.

Dad’s Baby Boot Camp / Mom’sBasic Training is open to all militaryservice members and spouses. Class willbe held Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3p.m. in Building 3022. Reservationsrequired, call 257-8803.

ACT Exam is open to active dutymembers and will be held onWednesday from 7:30 a.m. to noon inBuilding 220. Call 257-2158 for moreinformation.

Spring Craft Fair, this free eventwill be held on Thursday at MarForPacHead Quarters, Building 4 from 7:30a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 477-5143.

New Arrivals Orientation, at theBase Theater on Thursday from 7:30a.m. to noon is a mandatory orienta-tion per MCO 1320. For all newlyarrived active duty personnel to learnimportant information on MCBH poli-cies, services and programs. Familymembers and newly employed civiliansare also invited. Open seating, no signups needed. Next NAO to be held June1. Call 257-7790 or 257-7787.

MCCS Briefswww.mccshawaii.com Lance Cpl. Roger L. Nelson

Combat Correspondent

With recent heavy rains causing sewage leaks, many beaches alongthe coastline of Oahu have been closed due to dangerous bacteria levelsin the water.

“All of the beaches on base were closed when it was raining a lot,because the water was tested and came back positive for sewage,” saidDino Leonard, assistant manager, aquatics. “Then they tested the wateragain a week later and it was negative so they opened back up.”

According to Leonard, beaches on base are no longer contaminatedand are safe to be used.

“I would say the beaches on base are the safest bet for patrons,” saidthe Kailua, Hawaii resident. “The beaches in Kailua and near the Ala WaiCanal shouldn’t be swam in though, they still have high levels of thesewage.”

Leonard explained the contamination in the water isn’t the onlything people should be aware of before entering the water.

“There are a lot of potentially dangerous things at the beach,”

Leonard said. “A lot of people who utilize our beaches are used to thebeaches on the mainland, and get here and don’t realize that the waterhere is a lot more dangerous. The waves get much stronger, faster andbigger than anywhere on the mainland.”

Leonard said there are steps patrons should take before using thebeaches on base.

“First of all you should look at all of the rules and warning signsbefore getting into the water, then you should talk to one of the life-guards on duty,” said Leonard. “Always go with a buddy when surfingor swimming. If you’re planning on scuba diving or snorkeling, thebuddy system is always required.”

Lifeguards are on duty at North Beach and Pyramid Rock Mondaythrough Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., and 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. onSaturdays, Sundays and holidays.

“I just think people should just use common knowledge when goingto the beach,” said Leonard. “We offer safety briefs to units that can bedone at anytime, and I think that’s the best way to get knowledgeacross.”

For more information on water safety call 254-7655.

Base beaches safe and clean

Author explains culture forfellow military brats

Samantha L. QuigleyAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Military "brats" are powerfullyshaped by the culture they grow upin, and that culture makes a lastingimpression, author Mary EdwardsWertsch said.

Military brat Mary EdwardsWertsch is the author of "MilitaryBrats: Legacies of Childhood Insidethe Fortress." The book has beencredited with recognizing the mili-tary as a home culture.

"It has everything to do witheverything that's ever happened inmy life," the St. Louis resident said.

Wertsch, who wrote "MilitaryBrats: Legacies of Childhood Insidethe Fortress," lived in 20 houses andattended 12 schools during herfather's career as an Army infantry-man.

"I wouldn't trade that life foranything," she said. "I don't thinkI've ever met a brat who would."

This culture that often feels root-less to those living in it has madeWertsch and her contemporarieswho they are today, she said.

A feeling of being a "nowherekid" followed Wertsch into heradult life. It was only after seeing"The Great Santini," a characterstudy of a gung-ho Marine pilotand his relationship with his fami-ly, in 1980 that she realized othershad grown up feeling the same wayshe had. This revelation promptedWertsch to write her book.

"I was just totally thunderstruckby that movie. I thought, 'Weweren't alone after all'," she said."The fact is, we do come fromsomeplace, but how are we going toknow that? No one ever tells us

this." It's up to brats to recognize they

are part of a real culture, and withthis knowledge comes an identity,she said. "I think it really puts in themissing piece of the puzzle tounderstand where we came from --our own rooted culture," Wertschsaid.

She acknowledged there arechallenges to growing up in themilitary culture, but noted thegood outweighs the bad.

"In terms of positives, oh mygosh!" Wertsch said. "We can beplunked down into any social set-ting and make our way very well.People of any class, any back-ground, any line of work, we canjoin right in and talk with themand be quite comfortable."

She remembers thinking itwould be neat to be like her "civil-ian" cousins and go to school withpeople she had always known. Butthat lifestyle just wasn't natural forher, she said.

New challenges and new placeswere, and brats aren't afraid ofeither, she said. Putting down roots,on the other hand can be difficult.

"We've lived in St. Louis for 11years, and in this particular housefor 10, which is three times longerthan I have ever lived anywhere inmy life," she said. Wertsch and herhusband, a civilian professor, raisedtwo boys there.

Wertsch said she sought to beauthoritative, but not authoritarianin rearing her sons. While therewere distinct rules, she said shetried to help guide them to theright choices and decisions, not justimpose these upon them. At thesame time, they learned very simi-lar values to those she learnedgrowing up, she said.

Those values are at the core ofher being, she said.

"I'm talking about a great dealbeyond waving the flag," she said."I'm talking about rock-bottomthings like integrity and honestyand an attitude of anti-racism, notjust non-racism. Things like loyaltyand doing what you say you'regoing to do -- follow-through."

Wertsch said her biggest rewardas a brat is the understanding thather life had meaning because she

was serving a meaningful mission. "The beautiful thing about the

military is that it's in service to amission that is larger than oneself,"Wertsch said. "Those of us raised inthe military never lose that once weare out in civilian life. We alwayswant to live in service."

In fulfilling that desire, Wertschhas founded Brightwell Publishing,which specializes in books thatexplore and strengthen militarybrat cultural identity.

Military brat Mary Edwards Wertsch is the author of "Military Brats: Legaciesof Childhood Inside the Fortress." The book has been credited with recogniz-ing the military as a home culture.

Courtesy Photo

Beach signs and flags line the beach at Pyramid Rock warning patrons of the danger of high surf, strong currents and jelly fish. A couple heeds the warningsand relax on the sun soaked sand instead of entering the water.

Lance Cpl. Roger. L. Nelson

Rudi WilliamsAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Theterrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001,sparked a fire in Carolyn Blashekto do something to show servicemembers in harm's way thatsomebody cares. She tried to jointhe military, but the ArmyReserve wouldn't accept her. "Iwas too old," she said.

About a year and a half afterSept. 11, a conversation with adespondent soldier rekindled thedesire of the mother of two col-lege students to do something toshow troops that somebodycares.

That chat with a soldier moti-vated her to establish "OperationGratitude," a nonprofit organiza-tion that provides care packagesto deployed troops.

"At that time (the Sept. 11time frame), there were very feworganizations in which a civiliancould be involved in supportingthe military," Blashek said duringa telephone interview from herhome in Encino, Calif.

She had obtained a job in amilitary lounge at Los AngelesInternational Airport inDecember 2002. In March of2003, during the build up to thewar in Iraq, she was alone in thelounge one day when an enlistedsoldier walked in. "He was veryagitated and very upset," Blashekrecalls. "He'd been in the militaryfor about 20 years. He asked to

speak to a chaplain." Blashek said she offered to call

a chaplain, but the despondentsoldier told her he didn't haveenough time to wait for a chap-lain because his flight was leavingsoon.

He spoke to her instead. They sat down, and the sol-

dier told her that he'd just buriedhis mother, his wife had left him,and his only child had died as aninfant. "He said he was goingback into a war zone and, for thefirst time in his career, he didn'tthink he'd make it back," Blasheksaid. "But it really wouldn't mat-ter because no one would care.

"That was my motivationwhen I decided to startOperation Gratitude," sherecalled. "It was just realizing thatso many people were going to bedeployed and face combat. Ithought to myself, 'How do peo-ple survive that?' They have tobelieve that someone cares aboutthem and wants them to comehome."

Blashek sent her first fourpackages on March 19, 2003, the

day Operation Iraqi Freedomkicked off. "Now I've sent111,409 packages in three years,"she said.

When her community foundout what she was doing, manypeople wanted to jump on thebandwagon.

"Within a few months, my liv-ing room was filled with donateditems from people all over thisarea in southern California,"Blashek said. "I still had to pay forthe postage. But every time I'dthink I was down to my last dol-lars, a check would amazinglyappear. Operation Gratitude juststarted to sustain itself."

Blashek did all the packagingand mailing by herself untilAugust 2003, when theCalifornia National Guard's746th Quartermaster Battalionarmory in Van Nuys contactedher.

At the armory, Blashek metArmy Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Cowie,who also was sending care pack-ages to deployed troops.

The two women decided tojoin forces. Cowie told Blashek

that if she would move her oper-ation to the armory, they couldexpand it and have volunteers tohelp.

"We decided that between thetwo of us we'd probably haveabout 1,000 names, but we set agoal of 1,500 names and saidwe'd send something to everyperson," Blashek said. "We fig-ured Veterans Day weekendwould be perfect because thatwould give us about six weeksbefore Christmas to get the stuffover there."

Word spread about what theywere doing, and on Veterans Dayweekend that year 300 volun-teers showed up to help.

"We didn't even know them;they just appeared," Blashek said."We ended up sending morethan 3,000 packages that week-end. It really snowballed.”

Donations kept rolling in, andBlashek and Cowie kept sendingpackages. By January 2004,they'd sent nearly 8,000 carepackages to the troops.

The phenomenal growth ofOperation Gratitude made themrealize the operation was too big

to keep sending packages everyweek. They decided to have twodrives each year. The next drivewas Memorial Day weekend ofthat year. They called it the"Patriotic Drive."

"It's a perfect military-civilianpartnership," Blashek said. "It'sreally wonderful when we dothese events at the armorybecause all the soldiers are there.Now, many of the soldiers whohad helped us are now deployedand are getting packages. Manyof them who had been deployedand got our packages are nowback and helping us out.

"I designed it initially in sucha way that any American could

participate," Blashek said. Sheexplained that individuals don'thave to spend money to help,they can simply write letters.

Cowie said it means a lot toher to be able to give somethingback to fellow soldiers sacrificingso much for America's securityand remembers a letter from asoldier whose convoy was hit byenemy fire in Iraq.

"He didn't know how he wasgoing to make it through anoth-er day," she said. "Our packagewas sitting there waiting for him.He opened it, and it remindedhim of why he's there and gavehim that courage and motivationto continue on another day."

HAWAII MARINE APRIL 28, 2006 • B-3

Credit reports safeguard Marines identityLance Cpl. Lendus B. Casey

MCAS Iwakuni

IWAKUNI, JAPAN — HeadquartersMarine Corps officials recentlyannounced that 207,750 enlistedMarines, who served in the Marine Corpsbetween 2001 and 2005, are at risk ofidentity theft due to the loss of personalinformation.

The lost information included name,social security number, marital status andenlistment contract information.

A lot of people don’t understand theseriousness of taking the necessary pre-cautions to prevent identity theft orfraudulent charges on their credit report,according to Francis X. Tomaszewski,Marine Corps Community Services finan-cial counselor here.

“I encourage all Marines to visitwww.annualcreditreport.com and fill outthe information needed to receive their

credit report,” said Tomaszewkski. “Thefederal government passed a law that allcredit reporting agencies provide one freecredit report per year, per person. So itwon’t cost them anything to do it.”

Filing a credit report helps Marines inmore ways than one. Once filed, Marinescan check for I.D. theft as well as bills thatweren’t theirs. So, if they have suspiciouscharges on their report they can takeappropriate action as soon as possible,according to Tomaszewski.

Although the information was lostaboard a military installation, it is stillconsidered to be a very serious risk to allpersonnel who were affected, accordingto Staff Sgt. Ryan M. Chilson, informa-tion assurance manager here.

There is no evidence the informationhas been compromised and NavalPostgraduate School officials are currentlyconducting a detailed investigation todetermine the facts surrounding the case,

according to Marine Administration mes-sage (MarAdmin) 143/06.

“Thumb drives are too vital to be dis-carded,” said Chilson. “The best we cando is to try and safeguard the informationon them. A way we can do this is to edu-cate users on the importance of securingdata.”

Marines can refer to MarAdmin 590/05to learn more information on safeguard-ing important information on thumbdrives.

All Marines affected by the lost infor-mation are encouraged to visit the federaltrade commission’s Web site at www.con-sumer.gov/idtheft for guidance on protec-tive action against identity theft.Additionally, affected Marines may placean Active-Duty Fraud Alert on their cred-it files for up to 24 months. This will gen-erate a free credit report from all threecredit reporting bureaus, according toMarAdmin 143/06.

HeadquartersMarine Corpsofficials recentlyannounced that207,750 enlistedMarines, whoserved in theMarine Corpsbetween 2001and 2005, are atrisk of identitytheft due to theloss of personalinformation. Thelost informationincluded name,social securitynumber, maritalstatus and enlist-ment contractinformation.

Photo Illustration by Lance Cpl.Lendus B. Casey

Military, families can get onlinemental health screening

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Military members and familiescoping with the stress of over-seas deployments and otherpotential health-threateningissues can log onto the Internetto get help, a U.S. military psy-chologist said.

Service members from allcomponents and their familiescan obtain a mental health self-assessment or screeningthrough a Web site co-spon-sored by DoD and Screening forMental Health Inc., a nonprofitorganization, said Air Force Col.Joyce Adkins, a psychologistwith the Force HealthProtection and Readiness direc-torate at the DefenseDepartment's Health Affairsoffice.

"The (online) screening actu-ally gets you to where you needto be in terms of counseling,"Adkins said. "Once you do oneof the screening checklists, it

will give you the benefits thatare available to you."

The Web site, brought onlinein January, augments other DoDmental health assistanceresources, Adkins said. Peoplelogged onto the site are asked toanswer a series of questions.The program "grades" the com-pleted survey, Adkins said, andgives people an evaluation oftheir present mental health andprovides assistance resources, ifdeemed necessary.

Other DoD-endorsed healthsites tell customers how toaccess mental health counselingservices, but do not provide anonline mental health screeningprogram, Adkins said.

National Guard and reservemembers returning from over-seas deployments also areauthorized to use the Web site,Adkins said. Returning reserve-component members have twoyears of health benefits provid-

ed by the Department ofVeterans Affairs.

"And, it's totally free tothem," the colonel pointed out.

Such services are especiallyimportant today, Adkins said,because of the potential stress-ful effects deployments canhave on both military and fam-ily members. "It's a concernthat people don't understandwhat their thoughts and feel-ings mean as they come backfrom deployment," Adkins said."As they re-integrate with theirfamilies there may be conflictin the family that's not easilyresolved."

The mental health screeningWeb site and other related pro-grams available to servicemembers and their familiesprovide "a level of benefits anda level of service to help themunderstand what services areavailable to them for mentalhealth issues," Adkins said.

Sesame Street's Elmo and his dad tape a segment for "Talk, Listen, Connect," an outreach pro-gram for military families created by Sesame Workshop in New York, April 20. The bilingualDVD is part of a package of complimentary materials that will be made available to militaryfamilies beginning July 2006.

Richard Termine for Sesame Workshop

Moms show troops they care

Hundreds of volunteers show up when it's time to prepare carepackages for Operation Gratitude to send to troops overseas.

Courtesy photo

Cpl. Antonio Rosas1st Marine Division

CAMP AL QA’IM, Iraq — TheMarines and Sailors boarded the trainand were ready for its final departureat 9 p.m.

This train, however, was goingnowhere.

The Camp Al Qa’im Chapel, or“Soul Train” – a name adopted by the1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment –is an Iraqi passenger boxcar convertedinto a chapel and was decommis-sioned as the camp chapel on April10.

A newly constructed chapel for thebattalion marked the end of the Soul

Train’s nearly three-year stretch as ahouse of prayer.

The boxcar served as a chapel formany Marine and U.S. Army unitsthat passed through the camp sinceCoalition Forces made their push toBaghdad in 2003.

Due to the boxcar’s small size,Marines here say they decided tobuild a new, and larger, chapel tohouse an increasing number of wor-shippers.

“The soul train was pretty small,”said Navy Lt. Richard A. Townes, 1stBattalion, 7th Marines chaplain.“Still, many Marineshad strong emotionalties to it. They loved itsuniqueness.”

After two deployments to thisregion along the Syrian border, someof the battalion’s Marines gave theold box car a second nickname –“Holy Roller.”

Whether called “Soul Train” or“Holy Roller,” the mention of thismakeshift chapel sends many of theunit’s Marines into grandiose recol-lections of their history with the facil-ity.

“I remember seeing a Marine frommy old platoon get baptized there,”said Chief Warrant Officer Peter O.Parker, the battalion’s gunner. “I alsoremember an Iraqi make a professionof faith and get baptized there, too.”

A house of worship for many peo-ple of different faiths, the boxcarserved not only American servicemembers but civilians and Iraqis aswell.

On the day of its decommission-ing, service members shuffled insidethe cramped quarters, sitting onwooden benches which have replacedthe box car’s original bucket seats.The large windows have been boardedup with plywood and an altar hasbeen built at one end of the boxcar.

Stuffed inside the box car’s con-fined quarters, Marines and Sailorsgathered for the “Soul Train’s” finalreligious service.

“It was cramped in there, but oncethe service began it provided a goodfocus for prayer,” said Parker, 39, aWoodson, Texas native. “It was a greatplace to stand in the presence ofGod.”

Parker, an ordained southernBaptist minister, conducted servicesthere and recalled his first religiousservice in the boxcar, which is

believed to be more than forty yearsold.

“When you walk in you knowyou’re stepping into a piece of histo-ry,” Parker said.

With the newly built St. Michael’schapel merely a few yards from therailcar, service members can nowenjoy a little more elbow-room andprivacy, said Townes, 45.

Townes cites the railcar’s smallspace as an inconvenience to thosewho need to speak with the unit’schaplain one-on-one.

“My job requires me to have 100-percent confidentiality,” said Townes,of Brookings, S.D. “In order for that tohappen I needed a good counselingfacility where I can meet privatelywith people.”

Townes is happy about the newfacility, which doubles the space ofhis old office, he said.

Though the new chapel is appreci-ated by the Marines here, religiousservices can be held just about any-where, said Townes.

Since the birth of America, U.S.military chaplains have held religiousservices in the midst of combat, offer-ing sacrament, prayers and scripturereadings in a variety of tactical envi-ronments.

“When you’re out on the road, theback of the humvee is the altar,” saidTownes.

The railcar was just another loca-tion Townes added to his list ofunconventional places to conductchurch service, he said.

“The main focus is to take the wordof God out to the Marines to the dif-ferent battle positions,” said theseven-year Navy veteran.

Townes regularly takes his show onthe road, visiting the various poststhroughout the Al Qa’im area of oper-ations where 1/7 is currently eating,sleeping and fighting alongside IraqiArmy units.

While many seem sad to see theold chapel go, many more welcomedthe thought of having a new place toconduct religious services.

The new church has the capabilityto support large numbers of church-goers, especially on festive days suchas Easter Sunday, when dozens ofMarines and Sailors packed into thenew church for the Christian holiday.

"It's very important for me to havethe services available to me. It's com-forting to know the church is therewhen I need it," said Lance Cpl.Jonathan A. Humphries, a mail clerkwith the battalion’s Headquarters andSupport Company.

The 24-year-old donated a paintingto the church of the archangel SaintMichael, for which the church isnamed after.

The religious holiday drew a largercrowd than the Soul Train could haveprovided, according to Lt. Cmdr.Christopher M. Jack, forward resusci-tative surgical suite officer for CombatLogistics Battalion 7.

“I am happy with the move to thenew church,” said Jack, who missedout on two special days with his fam-ily back in the States last week – EasterSunday, and his son’s fourth birthday.

“I've been thinking about my wifeand son the entire time,” said Jack,who is on his first deployment to Iraq.“My thoughts are with them now."

Email Cpl. Rosas at rosasa@gcem-nf-wiraq.usmc.mil

B-4 • APRIL 28, 2006 HAWAII MARINE

MERIDIAN MORTGAGE *; 22p4; 24p; Black; 117978; .

Corps gave adventurer directionLance Cpl. Roger L. Nelson

Combat Correspondent

A common reason people join the militaryis to give something back to the countrythat’s done so much for them, but what if theMarine wasn’t from our country.

Corporal Jon C. Adams, administrationclerk, Headquarters Battalion, here, is aMarine who decided to take the step of acountry that he only lived in for a short time.

“I was born in Iceland, and moved toSweden where I was raised when I was reallyyoung,” said the Reykjavic, Iceland native. “Ilived with my parents in Europe until I was14, then one Summer I decided to visit myoldest sister in California and when I gotthere I didn’t want to leave, so I didn’t.”

According to Adams he fell in love withthe country the day he moved in with his sis-ter.

“At first I just wanted to gain my citizen-ship, but then I realized how much I trulylove it here,” said Adams. “I started going tohigh school in California and when I was inthe beginning of my senior year it hit methat I have no clue what I’m going to do withmy future.”

Adams was introduced to his local MarineCorps recruiter and knew it was what hewanted to do as soon as he spoke with him,he said.

“I knew I couldn’t go to college due to mymoney situation and grades so I knew thiswould be my best chance and being a successin life,” said the Monte Vista High Schoolgraduate. “When I told my parents theyweren’t too stoked on the idea, and werepretty upset when they had to drive all theway to the embassy in Stockholm, Sweden tosign the papers for me to join due to the factthat I was 17-years-old at the time.”

Adams left for Marine Corps RecruitDepot, San Diego, on Jan. 21, 2003.

“I was pretty nervous when I got to bootcamp, but I kept telling myself that I wouldget through this because even though I wasonly in America for barely four years I stillwanted to pay back all they’ve done for me,”said Adams. “It was weird because it was real-ly my only time away from someone in myfamily. I did a lot of traveling around Europe,but it was always with or to go see familymembers.”

Adams arrived and checked into HQBN onJuly 30, 2003, where he started work in thedeployments section.

“My main job is to help people out with

different things before they deploy likeauditing Marines information before theyleave,” said Adams. “I really enjoy helpingMarines out, and I guess it’s my way of doingmy part.”

Adams was deployed to Afghanistan with2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and wason guard force and worked with the S-1 inJune 2005, and returned in January.

“It’s weird because when I joined I wantedto become a lot more responsible andmature, and I did,” said Adams. “But I sawthe biggest change in myself after I returned

home from deployment. It was like my per-spective on life had completely changed.”

Adams said he plans to return back toEurope when his enlistment is up and travelthe country.

“I just want to relax and maybe go back-packing around Europe with some friends fora while,” said the 21-year-old. “I loved thetime I’ve had in the Marine Corps, but Ithink it’s time for me to find more adventure.I love adventurous stuff.”

Once Adams is done backpacking cross-country he said he then plans to work in an

adventure company in Ireland.“My long term goal is to some day be

sponsored for sail boating and to eventuallyjust sail around Europe for a while, then whoknows,” said Adams. “I mean, I think theMarine Corps has given me enough to helpme be successful in life and I’m confident Iwill be happy. All people in the Marinesshould take advantage of all that can beobtained from the Corps or else time will flyby and they’ll regret wasting the time theyhad in the Corps.”

Marines final boarding on ‘Soul Train’

Cpl. Jon C. Adams, administration clerk, Headquarters Battalion, stands in front of his fathers sailboat while visiting Sweden in 2005. Adams said he hopes tosail around Europe once his term in the Marine Corps is over.

The final chords of religious hymns and songs grace the inside of the “Soul Train”– an Iraqi passenger boxcar turned into a chapel – as a congregation of U.S.Marines and other worshippers attend final religious services in the makeshiftchapel at their base in Al Qa’im, Iraq, April 12, 2006. “Soul Train” was recentlydecommissioned as the Marines’ chapel.

Cpl. Antonio Rosas

Photo courtesy of Cpl. Jon C. Adams

14 th AnnualKailua Town PartySunday, April 30 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. onKailua RoadAdmission Buttons:Available at over 50 locations in Kailua $3 in advance and $4 day of event Children 12 and under FREE

A fundraising benefit for Kailua.Keeping Kailua Clean, Green and Beautiful!Presented by the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle

A Taste of Kailuafeaturing food sampling from local restaurants including:Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop,Baskin-Robbins, Big City Diner, Buzz’s Steak House, Chocolate Sushi, Cinnamon’s Restaurant, Down to Earth Natural Foods, Jamba Juice, Los Garcia’sMexican Restaurant, Mama’s Island Pizza, May’s Hawaii, Starbuck’s Coffee, TatsShaved Ice, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Times Supermarket and Zia’s Caffe

Live entertainment Maunalua,Puamana, Coconut Joe, JP Smoketrain & Friends, Pattye’s Hula Studio,Oomooeemoo, Wally Amos storytelling, and more!

Art Walk, Craft Booths, Plant and Orchid Sale, Community Information, KeikiActivities by Kama’aina Kids, Free Mini Health Fair by Castle Medical Center

A CommunityEvent for theWhole Family!

TodayLunchBeef ball stroganoffBaked fish filletsMacaroni and cheeseGarlic roasted potato wedgesMixed vegetablesLyonnaise carrotsCream gravyRaisin drop cookiesFruit pie

Pasta specialty bar

DinnerTacos Chicken enchiladasChili conquistadorBurritos

Refried beansMexican riceMexican cornGreen beans CreoleRaisin drop cookiesFruit pie

SaturdayDinnerRoast turkeyChicken cordon bleuMashed potatoesBoiled egg noodlesSimmered broccoliSimmered succotashChicken gravyFresh fruitSpice cakeSugar cookiesFruit pie

SundayUnavailable

MondayLunchBeef stewBaked fish filletsBaked macaroni and cheeseSteamed riceFrench fried okraButtered cornCream gravyOatmeal cookiesFruit pie

Deli specialty bar

DinnerItalian veal steaksBraised pork chops

O’Brien potatoesPeas with onionsSteamed riceMixed vegetablesMushroom gravyOatmeal cookiesFruit pie

TuesdayLunchChicken parmesanCajun fish filletSteamed riceBoiled egg noodlesSimmered cornSimmered asparagusTomato gravyOatmeal raisin cookiesFruit pies

Taco specialty bar

DinnerSouthern fried chickenBeef ball stroganoffParsley buttered potatoesBoiled egg noodlesSimmered pinto beansClub spinachChicken gravyOatmeal raisin cookiesFruit pie

WednesdayLunchChili macaroniRoast turkeyGrilled cheese sandwichMashed potatoesGlazed carrotsSimmered succotashTurkey gravy

BrowniesFruit pie

Hot dog specialty bar

DinnerMeat loafPork ham roastMashed potatoesTossed green riceCauliflower comboBroccoli with cheese sauceBrown gravy with mushroomsBrowniesFruit pies

ThursdayLunchSalisbury steakBarbecue chickenRice pilafOven browned potatoesCorn on the cobSimmered peas and carrotsBrown gravyWhite cakeApple cobblerFruit pies

Taco specialty bar

DinnerBeef yakisobaOrange chickenFried riceSteamed riceSimmered broccoliFried cabbage with baconChicken gravyWhite cakeApple cobblerFruit pies

HAWAII MARINE APRIL 28, 2006 • B-5

OONN THETHE MMENUENUAATT AANDERSONNDERSON HHALLALL

SS PORPORTSTSHAWAII MARINE C SECTION APRIL 28, 2006

HawaiiMMARINEARINE

Lance Cpl. Ryan TrevinoCombat Correspondent

Ask a single mom if raisinga son can be time-consum-ing, then go ask a non com-missioned officer if takingcare of his or her Marines is ademanding job. Don’t be sur-prised when both answer thesame — yes! Now imagineone person taking on both ofthese responsibilities, and ifthat isn’t enough, participat-ing in competitive sportsthat require her to travel allover the world.

Sgt. Kristin M. Taft, fiscalchief, base property, managesto juggle all these things atonce without exhibiting theslightest flinch. She is themother of a two-year-oldson, Raymond Bell III, and astarting pitcher for the All-Marine women’s softballteam.

Taft was named K-Bay’sFemale Athlete of the Year atFriday’s CommandingGeneral’s Flagpole ceremony.This was the second consecu-tive year she received theaward.

“I didn’t expect to getawarded for playing a gamethat I love,” said the modestTaft. “But, it felt prettygood.”

She also competes locallywith the K-Bay’s women’svarsity basketball team, butsays her true passion lies inplaying with the All-Marinewomen’s softball team.

“It’s great,” said the 24year-old. “You have a chanceto get away and do some-thing you love to do and getpaid for it.”

Taft first tried out for theAll-Marine team in 2000,while she was stationed atthe Marine Corps Air Stationin Iwakuni, Japan. After mak-ing it all the way to the endof the rigorous tryoutprocess, she tore her Achillestendon. She returned toJapan determined to makethe team next year after heinjuries had healed.

She did exactly that, earn-ing a spot as a back-up pitch-er on the team in 2001 and2002. She took 2003 off dueto her pregnancy, but wasright back out there the next

year, this time as the team’sstarting pitcher.

Taft’s All-Marine coach for

the 2004-2005 seasons, MarkHusted, said he admires whatTaft brings to the team each

year.“She is a great team play-

er,” said Husted. “She talks

with all the other girls all thetime to keep morale up.“

Taft’s second enlistment iscoming to an end soon, butshe says she hasn’t decided ifshe will re-enlist again,which means she made havealready played her last seasonon the All-Marine team.However, Husted is pleadingwith her to stay in and comeback out to support the teamnext season.

“We are hoping to get herback this year,” said Husted.“She is an overall outstand-ing athlete that will do any-thing to help the team win.”

Taft, an East Lyne, Ct.native, wants to stayinvolved in the sport evenafter her All-Marine careercomes to an end. She says sheis not competing, but inter-ested in coaching a softballteam someday.

Taft says she encouragesother females to get out thereand start competing.

“The opportunities are notalways advertised,” said Taft.“You just need to call some-one, ask someone, or just getout there and get involved.

Pitcher recognized as top female athlete

Lance Cpl. Ryan Trevino

Sgt. Kristin M. Taft stands out the Base Property shop here. Taft was named K-Bay's female athlete of theyear for the second consectutive year during a flagpole ceremony Friday.

Lance Cpl. Roger L. NelsonCombat Correspondent

The Headquarters Battalion Warriors dominated the PatrolSquadron 9 Golden Eagles 9 - 4, in a best out of three-championshipgames held Wednesday at Riseley Field, here.

This was the Warriors second win in the championship, knock-ing the Eagles out of the Championship and making themselves theoverall winners for the Intramural Baseball season.

The Warriors hitting seemed unstoppable as they used theirdefensive abilities to their advantage.

“We try and have everything come together at once,” saidWilliam D. Kreps, pitcher/coach, Warriors. “We’ve been on a runand just stuck to what we’ve been doing. Hitting, pitching and field-ing, we had it all tonight.”

Golden Eagle’s coach Matt A. Lewyer’s goal going into the gamewas to just have fun and communicate with each other.

“Win or lose this game, we’ve played our hearts out this seasonand we deserve to be at this game,” said Lewyer.

Even with the communication as the Golden Eagles main con-cern, the Warriors still found ways to get runners across home plate.

Warrior’s second baseman Thomas L. Bocook was a key factor forthe Warriors on defense.

“I actually came into this game thinking we were going to beatthem by 10 points in the fifth inning,” said Bocook. “But theyplayed a lot better then I expected and it turned out to be a prettydescent game.”

Golden Eagles pitcher Rudy R. Ruttiger struggled on the mound,letting five runs score in the second inning.

“We left nine people stranded on base, we just needed to get therunners in,” said Ruttiger. “It was a good game either way, and we’lljust have to work on the fundamentals a little more next year so thesame things don’t happen.”

Warriors top Eagles for championship

Photos by Lance Cpl. Roger L. Nelson

Thomas L. Bocook, second baseman, Warriors, slides into 3rd base April 26, at the championship game against the Eagles, at Riseley Field.

Rudy R. Ruttiger, pitcher, Eagles, throws a pitch during the championship game against the Headquarters Battalion Warriors, April 26, at Riseley Field.

C-2 • APRIL 28, 2006 HAWAII MARINE

Today - SundayTop of the Mountain Spring

Softball Tournament — The tourna-ment will be held at Bordelon Field aboardCamp Smith. Cost is $175 per team.Register at the Camp Smith Semper FitCenter.

Call 477-0498 for more information.

Saturday13th Annual 3D Marines 10K — The

race will start at Pop Warner field at 7 a.m.“Run with the Fighting 3D” is the secondevent of the 2006 Commanding General’sFitness Series. The race is open to the pub-lic. Register at Semper Fit Center by day ofthe event.

Call 254-7590 for more information.

108th Hospital Corpsmen BirthdayBall Golf Tournament — Tournamentregistration will be begin at 10 a.m at theKaneohe Klipper Golf Course. The deadlineto register teams in April 14. The best-ballformat tourney will kick off at 12:30 p.m.Longest drive and closest-to-the-pin com-petitions will also be held. Registrationpoint of contact for 3rd Marines is PettyOfficer 1st Class Swisher at 257-1144; 21stDental is Petty Officer 1st Class Tramill 257-3100; MAG-24 is Petty Officer 1st ClassLoza at 257-1371; and CLR-3 is PettyOfficer 3rd Class Guebara at 257-2437.

Youth Soccer Clinic — The HawaiiPacific University Women’s Soccer Team willhold a soccer clinic open to all school agechildren from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

Admission to the event is two cannedgoods. Contact Virginia Tamura, 254-7610,for more information.

TuesdaySoccer Organizational Coaches

Meeting — There will be a meeting for allsoccer coaches at 2 p.m. at the Semper FitCenter.Contact Joe Au, 254-7591, for moreinformation.

Main Pool Reopens — Servicing andcleaning of the Main Pool is estimated to becompleted. The Officers’ Club pool openduring posted hours to all hands for dura-tion of main pool renovation. For moreinformation contact Harry Sprague at 254-7655.

OngoingSemper Fit All-Marine Chess Team

— The competition will be held June 11 to17 in Jacksonville, Fla. Marines interestedin competing must submit resumes to theathletics coordinator by April 21. Resumesmust include the United States ChessFederation membership card identificationnumber, state of registration, USCF rating,date of rating, and record of significantchess activity during the past two years.

Call Stacy Barkdull at 254-7590, for moreinformation.

Paintball Hawaii — Nestled behindthe Lemon Lot here is Paintball Hawaii.Cost is $25 per person and includes one airrefill, equipment and the field fee. The fieldis open on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Call 265-4283 for Friday appointments.

Personal Trainers Available atSemper Fit — For those looking to getinto a tailored exercise regiment, or forthose just looking for some good advice onweight management and weight control,Semper Fit Center offers free personal train-ing consultation.

Call Semper Fit Center at 257-7597 toschedule an appointment.

Semper Fit Center offers array ofaerobics — The MCCS Semper Fit Centerannounces a new and expanded aerobicsprogram. These new classes now beingoffered include a variety of workouts.

Call 254-7597 for more information onthe various classes now offered.

.

BriefsSubmit items for the sports briefs section

via e-mail to editor@hawaiimarine.com orcall 257-8837.

Sports Briefs

Christelle MichaelTRICARE Management Activity

Being overweight causeshealth problems and may lead toa lifetime of health concerns andpossibly early death. Some of thephysical effects of being over-weight include higher risk of dis-eases such as heart disease, can-cer and diabetes; increasedincidence of musculoskeletalinjuries; increased daytimesleepiness; and increased surgicalrisk.

TRICARE ManagementActivity has created a demonstra-tion project that will test variousmethods of education and pre-vention to inform and educateactive duty family members andretired beneficiaries about thenegative effects of obesity.

Surveys show that poordiet/inactivity were among theleading causes of death from1994 to 2000. Active duty servicemembers are not immune: from1995 to 2002, the percentage of

overweight active duty servicemembers has increased by 10percent.

"Data collected during thisdemonstration project will pro-vide invaluable guidance to theDepartment's leaders and themilitary health system in deter-mining what weight manage-ment treatments work for ourbeneficiaries," said Navy Capt.Patricia Buss, deputy chief med-ical officer, TRICAREManagement Activity.

Research Triangle Institute andthe Cooper Institute will imple-ment the Healthy Eating andActive Living in TRICAREHouseholds program (HEALTH),a four-state demonstration proj-ect for TRICARE in Indiana,Illinois, Ohio and Michigan. Theproject will provide non-activeduty adult, Prime-enrolled, over-weight and obese beneficiarieswith 12-month access to behav-ior modification targeting dietand physical activity. To be eligi-ble beneficiaries must be age 18

to 64, not entitled to Medicare orenrolled in the TRICAREExtended Care HealthcareOption and living within 50miles of the research centers.

The weight managementdemonstration project will usetelephone and Internet, as well asinteractive behavioral supportand education. The project willassess whether five to 10 percentweight loss can be achieved andmaintained over the course ofthe study.

Behavioral intervention withadded pharmacotherapy will becompared to behavioral inter-vention alone. The demonstra-tion project will study the effec-tiveness of different intensitybehavioral intervention with orwithout medication.

Research Triangle Institute andthe Cooper Institute will conductthis demonstration as an institu-tional review board-approvedresearch study. Research TriangleInstitute will begin recruitingproject participants in spring

2006.The result of this demonstra-

tion project will assist TRICAREin determining ways to deliverthe best possible benefit for itsUniformed Services members,retirees and their families.

Air Force Col. Joyce Grissom,medical director in the Office ofthe Chief Medical Director, TRI-CARE Management Activity, saidthe demo project will offer non-active duty beneficiaries access toscientifically-based behavioralinterventions that have previous-ly been offered to active dutyservice members through face-to-face Service-specific multidisci-plinary weight management pro-grams.

"We hope that this demonstra-tion, and other life-style-orientedpilot projects will have a positiveand life-long impact on thehealth of participating TRICAREbeneficiaries," Grissom said. "Wewant to continue to find ways toenhance the benefit and deliverthe best possible health care."

Staff Sgt. Ronna M. WeylandPress Chief

A free one-day soccer clinic for children5-17 years old will be held Saturday at thefield located between Building 216 andBase Safety here from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“The purpose of the clinic is to teachbasic fundamentals, age appropriate andensure the kids have fun,” said ClarkAbbey, Youth Sports Coordinator. “Someskills will be at a higher level and could bechallenging for some kids and others willbe set up to bring it within reach of theirskills.”

The Hawaii Pacific Women’s SoccerTeam, partnered with Marine CorpsCommunity Services, will hold the event.Admission is free, but a donation of twocanned goods is encouraged. The donatedfood items will benefit the Hawaii FoodBank and will be presented by MCBHYouth Sports and the HPU women’s soccerteam.

According to Andy Gasper, youth soc-cer coach and worker at the Marine CorpsBase Hawaii Housing Office, HPU con-ducts community service and outreachprograms throughout the year.

“This year the women’s soccer teamwanted to do something ‘meaningful,’and Marine Corps Base Hawaii offeredthat opportunity,” said Gasper. “With somany service members deployed giving afew hours of our time to the children ofthe men and women protecting our free-dom, well, we knew it would go a longway.”

Gasper said all school age students areencouraged to attend the clinic and theyare hoping to draw 100-150 kids.

The clinic is a prelude for the upcomingsummer soccer season with the HawaiiYouth Sports League, an Army programgeared toward military dependants.

“Due to the length of the clinic, themajority of time will be dedicated toteaching proper fundamentals,” saidGasper. “Your child will be able to get one-

on-one training from the coaches andplayers from HPU.”

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. andchildren attending the clinic should be

dressed to play soccer with shorts, shirt,shoes, shin guards and is encouraged tobring sun screen and a water bottle.

For more information about the clinic

HPUSoccerto offerfreeclinic

Tony Blazejack

Junior Briana Spagnuolo, right, battles with Maunia’s Patty Gabriel during an off-season match at theWaipio Soccer Complex. The HPU Women’s soccer team will be teaching the basics and fundementalsof soccer at Pop Warner Field Saturday.

TRICARE seeks to preventobesity through education

HAWAII MARINE APRIL 28, 2006 • C-3

Carole W. ButlerNavy LIFELines

It's so romantic.He leans slowly towards

her. Shyly, she turns hercheek for his kiss.

No, wait.She's turning away from

his gross yellow teeth, hisfoul tobacco breath.

If you want romance,tobacco is not your friend.

Tobacco isn't pretty: show-ering ashes, stinking butts,choking smoke, burningholes in your uniform, spit-ting out chew juice, or, worse,swallowing it.

And it's not cheap: $3, $4,($7+ in New York) a pack. At$4 a day, that's $1,460 a year.

A nicotine mistress quicklyburns up your cash, leavinglittle for dinner and a movie,much less savings for yoursweetheart's engagementring.

Since the Department ofthe Navy announced smoke-free working and livingspaces, there has been nogood news for Navy andMarine Corps personnel whoare slaves to nicotine.Ironically, nicotine can beused to help smokers becomenon-smokers.

"The nicotine patch, gum,and nasal spray are all safe, ifused properly," says Capt.Larry Williams, Dental Office,Naval Training Center GreatLakes. "There are no safe

forms of tobacco."Dip, chew, snuff, cigars,

cigarettes, herbal cigarettes -smoked, chewed, inhaled(directly or indirectly) - are allbad news for personnel usingtobacco. When Williamsaddresses recruits at GreatLakes, he tells them aboutsmokeless tobacco ingredi-ents: trash from the cigaretteproduction floor, dead bugs,and feces. "Very appetizing,"he mocks. "I ask them, 'Doyou want to kiss somebodythat had this in theirmouth?'”

Then there's secretly spit-ting the disgusting stuff intoa soda can — or swallowing it— to avoid standing in linesfor the smoking deck. "They

think dip is less harmful, mis-takenly, because it isn't lessharmful," says Alice G.Fitzpatrick, RN, TobaccoCessation program manager,Naval Medical CenterPortsmouth.

Advising Navy and MarineCorps personnel and theirfamilies trying to quit usingtobacco, Fitzpatrick pointsout the thousands of chemi-cals (including insecticidesand formaldehyde) con-sumed from smoke or smoke-less tobacco, as well as thestress tobacco consumptionplaces on the human body:liver disease, lung cancer,cancer of the mouth, rottedteeth, stroke, and heart dis-ease.

Samantha L. QuigleyAmerican Forces Press Service

While an estimated 25 percent of Americans smoke, themilitary's numbers hover at 34 percent, according to AirForce Col. Gerald Wayne Talcott with the Air Force MedicalSupport Agency, in Falls Church, Va. That's an increase of 4percent for the military since 2002.

"We do have a higher prevalence of smoking for ouryoungest people in the military," Talcott said. "Now, if youlook at officers, that's not the case. But for our youngestmembers, that's our E-1s through E-4s, ... the overall preva-lence is a little bit higher than the national average."

"It's a good suspicion" that the war is a factor in theincrease of military smokers, he added.

Service members who smoke often claim it's a stressreliever. Talcott said that might be true, but only for peoplewho already are addicted. Before addiction occurs, smokingactually increases stress on the body, he explained.

Smokers may see their habit as a personal risk, but itaffects force readiness, Talcott said. Even among smokerswho have no ongoing diseases related to smoking, it impairsnight vision, weakens the immune system and can lengthenhealing time. Smokers also may have more frequent upper-respiratory ailments.

Tobacco use also affects families, the colonel said."We have a lot of young people that are just starting fam-

ilies," Talcott said. "It has an impact on those young chil-dren as well. If you're smoking around them, their risk forupper respiratory infections goes up as well."

Smoking is a deceptive risk for younger people, since theydon't necessarily feel the immediate ramifications. But, if asmoker quits, as more than 50 percent of DefenseDepartment personnel who smoke have expressed a desire todo, there are benefits to be reaped.

"Your body has a very recuperative ability," Talcott said."We have a very young population, so the sooner you quitand the less amount of time you smoke, the faster your bodyrepairs itself. Within 10 to 15 years (of quitting smoking)your risk for cancer, if you quit early enough, ... is thealmost the same as it would be for a nonsmoker."

Service members have multiple excuses for not quitting.The fear of failure or a failed first attempt often keeps smok-ers from trying to quit again, Talcott said. However, he said,a failure does not mean that a second, or even a third,attempt is going to fail.

"You aren't always successful the first time," he said."What we know is that it seems like the more people try toquit, the more likely they are to quit successfully."

Some smokers, especially women, are afraid to kick thesmoking habit out of fear that they will gain weight. That'snot a good enough excuse, Talcott said. A person wouldhave to gain 100 pounds to equal the negative health effectsof continued smoking, he said.

Nor is the weight-gain theory necessarily true. Amongrecruits in basic training -- where smoking is disallowed,meals are controlled and exercise is a must -- there is virtu-ally no weight gain, Talcott said.

Help is available for those who wish to quit but thinkthey need help. DoD offers smoking cessation classes innearly all medical treatment facilities, and nicotine-replace-ment therapies are available.

DoD also is working with primary care physicians to helpthem spot tobacco use early and provide messages aboutquitting. The Tricare Web site, www.tricare.osd.mil, alsooffers information on why kicking the habit is a good ideaand how to quit.

The military also is working to make smoking less attrac-tive by hitting service members who smoke in the wallet.The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is restricted to dis-counting tobacco products no more than 5 percent belowwhat they would cost outside a military installation. This isa change from deeper discounts that were once offered, offi-cials said.

Negative effectsof smoking notdeterring service members

No good news for tobacco users

Photos by Lance Cpl. Roger L. Nelson

According to Air Force Col. Gerald Wayne Talcott, Air Force Medical Support Agency, the percentage of service members who smoke hasincreased over the past few years.

A smoker who buys one pack a day will spend up to $1,460 on cigarettes a year.

Lance Cpl. Warren Peace

CAMP HANSEN,Okinawa — A seven-timekarate world champion visitedOkinawa to get Americantroops in shape with his uniquerhythm and strength aerobicroutine.

Combining karate anddance moves, Billy Blanks, thecreator of Tae Bo, put Marinesand Sailors through hours ofhigh impact exercise April 11-12 on Camps Foster andHansen.

This tae kwon do worldchampion came to Okinawanot only to exercise, but also togive back to the men andwomen that keep his countrysafe.

"I respect and honor what(service members) do for theircountry," Blanks said. "It's ablessing to be in the presence ofMarines."

He tested the fitness level of

the service members with hisfast-paced routine, leading thegroup in kicks, crunches andrunning without breaks.

"I was beat," said Cpl. Juan C.Aracena, an administrativeclerk with 7thCommunications Battalion, IIIMarine Expeditionary Force. "Iwas pumped up and sweatingand my leg was cramping afterthe kick stretches he made usdo. If we did this every day wewould be in top condition."

"They did awesome," Blankssaid. "They have the right atti-tude and self control."

The Erie, Pa. native, hasstarred in many movies andtrained such celebrities as PaulaAbdul, Goldie Hawn and LouDiamond Phillips since he cre-ated Tae Bo in the late 80s.

The words Tae Bo came fromthe Korean word "Tae" meaningfoot and "Bo," which is short forbox.

Originally training people in

Tae Bo from his garage in LosAngeles, Blanks' exercise rou-tine has spread throughout theUnited States and become ahousehold name.

He still manages to motivateand inspire the people hetrains, even after overcomingsuch hurdles as dyslexia andhip problems.

"When I first met him inBaghdad in 2004, he impressedme with the way he inspiredthe troops there," said Cmdr.Manuel A. Biadog, the chaplainfor III MEF HeadquartersGroup. "I was sure he wouldinspire the service membershere in Okinawa - he did."

After a workout at TheHouse of Pain on Camp HansenApril 12, Blanks visited III MHGMess Hall where he gave amotivational speech and atebreakfast.

"I personally took the speechto heart," said Cpl. Michelle S.Quante, the training noncom-

missioned officer for the messhall. "It really hit home whenhe talked about life obstacles. Ithelped me not question myselfand stay motivated."

After spending two days

with the service members onOkinawa, Blanks relayed hisgratitude for the hospitality thetroops gave him.

"I hope to get anotherchance to come back to

Okinawa," Blanks said. "It'salways been a dream of mine totrain with Marines. We had agreat time together and theyshowed me it's the person thatmakes the Marine."

C-6 • APRIL 28, 2006 HAWAII MARINE

Billy Blanks tones minds, bodies, spirits

Cmdr. Manuel A. Biadog

In an effort to give back to American service members, Billy Blanks leads Marines and sailors in modified abdominal crunches April 12 at The House of Pain on Camp Hansen. Blanks, who created Tae Bo by com-bining karate and dance moves, tested the fitness level of the service members with a routine of kicks, crunches and running.

OONN PP OO II NN TTHAWAII MARINE D SECTION APRIL 28, 2006

HawaiiMM A R I N EA R I N E

All in the

When picking a tattooist make sure the shophas a autoclave. The autoclave sterilizes allof the artists tubes to ensure cleanliness.

Tattoo artists use and mix different color inks to get the perfect color for shad-ing and outlining tattoos.

Justin Hendrick, tattoo artist, 808 Tattoo, works on a back piece for Lance Cpl. AdamJ. Blaylock, motor technician, Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion,3rd Marine Regiment, April 20, at 808 Tattoo.

There are many different tattoo machines, needles and tubes that are all usedfor different types of tattoo. Some are used for outlining and others for shad-ing or coloring. When getting a tattoo make sure the artist is using a steril-ized tube and brand new needle.

Cpl. Robert A.Straub, heavye q u i p m e n tmechanic, 3rdR a d i oBattalion, dis-plays his fullsleve April 23.at 808 Tattoo.The currentMarine Corpso r d e r ,P 1 0 2 0 . 3 4 Gp r o h i b i t sMarines fromgetting tattoosor brands ontheir neck andor head.

Once considered tasteless and looked down upon by society, tattoos have becomea big trend in mainstream America, said Billy L. Whitney, a tattooist at 808 Tattoo.

Although, tattoos have been part of the armed forces history for centuries they’renot encouraged in the United States Marine Corps.

Having or getting a tattoo is not against regulations but each Marine must ensure,if they get one, that it’s within the guidelines set forth on Marine Corps OrderP1020.34G, which states: “Tattoos and brands on the neck and head are prohibited.In other areas of the body, tattoos or brands that are prejudicial togood order, discipline and morale or are of a nature to bring dis-credit upon the Marine Corps are also prohibited.”

In addition there are restrictions for those that areinterested in special duty assignments like recruiters,drill instructors and Marine Security Guard details.

All special duties have a screening process butyou are limiting what you’re able to do in theMarine Corps when you get tattoos all over youarms, said Sgt Michael R. Sanders.

Still numerous service members frequent tattooparlors.

Marines are known for being the most commonof military personnel to get a “motto” tattoo, saidtattooist Justin Hendrick.

“I would probably say over 50 percent of the busi-ness we do at my shop is from Marines and Sailors,”said Whitney. “I think it’s mainly because they all seemto have a lot more pride in their service because it’s sup-posed to be the hardest with the longest boot camp.

“We do a lot of the standard Eagle, Globe and Anchorand U.S.M.C. tattoos but a lot of Marines are gettingmemorial tattoos now it seems,” said 30-year-old Whitney.“It’s cool because we really appreciate what the militarydoes for us. So to sort of thank them my shop gives allmilitary personnel a 10 percent discount and we special-ize in doing custom art work so when a Marine or Sailorcomes in with an idea of what they want, it’s better forboth of us because we can be creative and make themsomething really cool instead of the standard U.S.M.C.tattoo you see on a lot of Marines arms. I mean that’sreally what it should be all about, being different andhaving something no one else has. ”

Corporal Jon C. Adams, administration clerk,Headquarters Battalion, said he got his “motto” tattooright after Marine Combat Training.

“I was motivated and loved the fact that I wasin the Marine Corps,” said Adams. “All of myfriends and I went to the tattoo shop togetherand we all pretty much ended up getting somesort of tattoo to signify the Marine Corps.”

According to Adams, Marines seem to bethe most loyal and proud of their service.

“Even now, when I go out, I’ll see peo-ple from all generations with an Eagle,Globe and Anchor or something toshow their love for the Corps, whichI think is a prime example of whywe’re considered the best,” saidAdams, an Iceland native. “To behonest I don’t think I’ve everseen a soldier with a tattoo thatsays ‘Army,’. I guess tattoosare just another thing thatseparates us from them,and keeps us the few andthe proud.”

Story and photos by Lance Cpl. Roger L. Nelson

Combat Correspondent