Posted on 07/06/2008 10:50:21 AM PDT by RedRover
The unflappable public affairs officer for the Marine Corps Central Command during most of the explosive Haditha and Hamandiyah affairs is moving on. Lt. Col. Sean Gibson has been transferred to Marine Corps Installation West at Camp Pendleton after a tumultuous time facing heat for the Marine Corps.
Lt. Col. Gibson, who says his age is a “state secret,” never missed a beat running the Camp Pendleton Media Center when it was the epicenter of an international media feeding frenzy. Along with a small staff of Marine public affairs specialists, Gibson quickly and honestly responded to the endless barrage of questions from reporters who knew nothing about the Marine Corps, everything about everything else, and were never afraid to say so.
Gibson wasn’t always a PAO, he says. He learned the art of dodging bullets and spears as an infantry officer. Before entering the public arena 12 years ago he was a rifle platoon commander and company executive officer in 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, the “Retreat Hell” battalion that took its motto comes from its actions at Belleau Wood during WWI.
When the fleeing French advised the newly arrived Marines to retreat in the face of overwhelming odds, the battalion’s response was: “Retreat, Hell!” Gibson never forgot his roots.
After attaining the rank of captain Gibson moved to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego to help forge boys into Marines. Twelve years ago, Gibson “voluntarily moved into the public affairs field” where he has served the balance of his career.
Defend Our Marines wants to thank Lt. Col. Gibson for his honesty, forthrightness, and unceasing professionalism. He didn’t always tell us what we wanted to hear, but he never failed to be courteous and helpful when telling us what the Marine Corps wanted to say.
Thank you, Lt. Col. Gibson, and Godspeed wherever the Marine Corps takes you next.
Thanks for the PING, Red. :)
Lt. Col. Gibson has done a good job and it looks like he’s been pinged to a higher calling.
And so may we all.
BTW, lily’s finally home from chasing around with a bunch of SEALs on Wakiki. I really wonder, jaz. How come you and I always have our noses pressed against the glass at vacation time?
Hat's off to anyone who could gut dealing with the MSM for that long.
Waikiki? Sheesh! I knew she was off gallivanting somewhere on vacation (AGAIN) but had no idea she was bumping elbows with SEALs on the adjacent surf boards in the turquoise blue waters of Waikiki and drinking Pina Coladas from fresh half hollowed out pineapples on the beach.
We’re going to have to find out how people do this every couple months, maybe we’ll be able to join them one of these days.
Yes, that is correct, the seals because I couldn’t find a walrus.
LOL! Well, I was close. Hope you had a great time and welcome back. ;-)
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Must be one of those bighead llamas I’ve heard so much about.
It’s Hhama Time!
Dedicated to all the people who didn’t go to Waikiki.
Only the lonely know how we feel.
Those and the BDMF’’s.
As a side note, I was doing a search for Kris Kristofferson’s “Silver Tongued Devil” cause I had a hankerin’ to hear “Billy Dee” and this Llama pops up.
As an aside to that, did you know that they use Llamas as a replacement for the trusty sheepdog?
And as an aside to that in Australian slang a “sheepdog” is a bra ‘Rounds ‘em up, keeps ‘em together’.
And finally, the b-side of ONLY THE LONELY is: HERE COMES THAT SONG AGAIN
You are a veritable fountain of wisdom and light, bighead. Rock on.
Unlike the MSM and the Dummycrats, we CAN handle the truth and arrive at a reasonable and JUST decision.
Many thanks, Red and All, for the notes that you keep us appraised with.
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