Free Republic

ATLANTA (AP) – Thousands of Marines and their families went to serve their country at North Carolina's Camp Lejeune. Instead, many wound up fighting it, blaming the government for failing to protect them from an enemy that invaded their lives in a most intimate way: through the water that quenched their thirst, cooked their food and filled their bathtubs every day. The gruff ex-drill instructor is angry leukemia claimed his daughter, Janey. Parents were guilt-ridden that perhaps their own actions had ruined their daughters' health. An aging major still mourns the wife who shared his torment over their baby's fatal...

BUTLERVILLE, Ind., June 23, 2008 – The scene in Building 7 at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center here was chilling. Marines from Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, move between buildings during training, June 10, 2008, at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, in Butlerville, Ind. The Marines were using the facility during the 26th MEU's realistic urban training exercise, part of the MEU's predeployment training period. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron J. Rock  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Visitors were greeted by the sounds of a screaming man, covered in blood and missing his legs just...

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq — The battlefield of today is much different than in wars past with an enemy who prefers to cower in hiding and use his weapon of choice, the improvised explosive device; a diabolical tool of destruction, ominously waiting road-side to mangle unsuspecting Coalition vehicles. Combating this ever popular threat are the brave men conducting route clearance throughout Iraq such as the Marines of Reaper platoon, Company A, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 1. The Reapers deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in October of last year for a seven month tour supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom with Regimental...

http://www.jdnews.com/articles/captured_55965___article.html/cesar_laurean.html Cesar Laurean, wanted since Jan. 11 for the killing of a pregnant Camp Lejeune Marine, has been captured in Mexico, said Capt. Rick Sutherland of the Onslow County Sheriff's Department. More details will follow as they develop.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Feb. 15, 2008) -- Families and friends gathered at Goettge Field House, here, to celebrate the return of their Marines and Sailors. The 2nd Marine Logistics Group returned from a successful deployment to the Al Anbar Province. MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (February 15, 2008) – Families and friends gathered at Goettge Field House, here, to celebrate the return of their Marines and Sailors. The 2nd Marine Logistics Group returned from a successful deployment to the Al Anbar Province. MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (February 15, 2008) – Families and friends gathered...

Jacksonville, North Carolina, January 26, 2008— The NC Gathering of Eagles sponsored an Operation to demonstrate support for and celebrate the American Military. Hundreds of people came to Jacksonville, from all over North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and West Virginia.They spread out along Highway 17 waving American and Marine flags and holding signs proclaiming respect, admiration and gratitude to the men and women of the United States Military. GOE National Director, Larry Bailey reports: In response to the pitiful gathering of Westboro Baptist Church miscreants near Camp Lejeune, NC, on 1/26/08, the North Carolina chapter of Gathering of Eagles organized...

WBC to protest Camp Lejeune on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 12:00 p.m.

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - Authorities detailed gruesome evidence of a pregnant Marine's death Saturday as they excavated a fire pit where they believe a comrade she accused of rape burned and buried her body after a horrific attack. Investigators have found blood spatters on the ceiling and a massive amount of blood on the wall of the home of Marine Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean, Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown said. It appeared that someone had tried to wash and paint over the blood, he said. "I believe this is going to be a bizarre discovery today," Brown said. "The blood splatters...

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Two Marines involved in a shooting that killed as many as 19 Afghan civilians testified Wednesday that their unit was responding to an ambush so intense that the crossfire took out tree branches as their convoy of Humvees fled from the scene. "You could see branches falling across the road ... all along our route," said Sgt. Benjamin Baker. "We were taking semiautomatic small arms fire all along this road." Baker's testimony followed that of Sgt. Brett Hayes, who told the administrative panel investigating the conduct of two officers involved in the shooting that the convoy...

AR RAMADI, Iraq (Nov. 6, 2007) -- It can be hard to define who the enemy is in asymmetrical warfare, so Marines in Al Anbar are reaching out to Iraqis to find potential allies. As part of this effort, Marines are working with Iraqi Police to conduct census patrols. Marines from 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, attached to the U.S. Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Multi National Force-West, recently began a door-to-door census campaign in Ramadi. “We were trying to get familiar with the people who live in the neighborhoods we patrol through,” said Lance Cpl. Douglas...

MOREHEAD CITY - Navy corpsman Cary Town returned to the Morehead City docks Friday with a 27-pound, 38-inch fish story. The 15 minutes it took him to reel in the red snapper were growing longer with each telling.

GOP congressman pays price for opposing war By: Josh Kraushaar August 22, 2007 02:08 PM EST NEW BERN, N.C -- Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr. (R-N.C.) is a household name in this military-friendly district represented in Congress by his family -- first by his late father, a Democrat, and now by him -- for most of the past 40 years. Jones' folksy demeanor, commitment to constituent service and deeply Christian values made him virtually unbeatable since he won election to Congress in 1994. Until two years ago, Jones was probably best known nationally for championing "freedom fries" to replace "french...

------------------------------------------------------- Dear Friends and Colleagues, I have exciting news! As many of you are aware, I have spent the last few months working on a one hour documentary about the November 2004 Battle for Falluja. The program, The Anvil of God, is scheduled to air this Friday (8/3) at 10pm eastern. This is the third hour that I have produced with correspondent Tom Foreman. (Ambush at the River of Secrets and The Lion in the Village) Our hope in creating Anvil is for viewers to pause and consider the sacrifices made every day by the men and women serving overseas...

I’m extremely excited,” Ruoff said. “The anticipation is absolutely killing me.”

A glimpse at the 26th MEU as elements arrive at Onslow Beach and mainside on Camp Lejeune Saturday, 30 June 2007.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N. C. (May 24th, 2006) -- Junior Marines with Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Special Operations Support Group held a picnic for their unit May 24th that left some of the troops with more food on their faces than in their stomach. As part of an effort to help raise funds for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, some of ‘The Few and The Proud’ sacrificed the latter and took one for the team during a pie-in-the face auction. “This picnic was all about building camaraderie and showing thanks to all the Marines and Sailors...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (April 7,2006) -- The plans officer for Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, was presented a Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in connection with combat operations in Iraq by Maj. Gen. Richard A. Huck, commanding general, 2nd Marine Division, at the II Marine Expeditionary Force headquarters building in a ceremony here on April 4. Lt. Col. Jeffrey Conner was awarded the medal for his achievement as the plans officer, assistant chief of staff G-3 from February 2005 to February 2006. The battalion was based in and around Ar Ramadi, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi...

Female colonel becomes first base commander for Camp Lejeune Submitted by: MCB Camp Lejeune Story Identification #: 200612391028 Story by Lance Cpl. Brandon R. Holgersen MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Jan. 23, 2006) -- Colonel Adele E. Hodges will become the first female colonel to command Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Jan. 23, replacing Maj. Gen. Robert C. Dickerson who was appointed the commander of Marine Corps Installations-East. “I am very excited,” said Hodges. “It’s a large base and a large facility, and I am excited to be the first colonel assigned to this challenge.” Hodges plans on upholding...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Dec. 14, 2005) -- From privates first class to sergeants major to lieutenant colonels, all Marines who saw the newly promoted sergeant walking through their work areas were quick to render the appropriate military courtesies. After all, Brandon Rasnick had accomplished what no one else in the 2nd Marine Division had, made the rank of sergeant in one day. It’s a success the Lehigh Acres, Fla., native did not tout as he made his rounds throughout the base. Rather, the Marines and sailors smiled and waved as the shortest noncommissioned officer they had ever...

I bought 10 sheet of "Distinguished Marines" 37 cent stamps. Of the four great Marines pictured, I noticed that John A. Lejeune, c. 1924 was with the 2nd Infantry Division. But they show the Army insignia on his picture. Was he attached to the Army? Or why did they show an Army insignia on "Distinguished Marines" picture? Semper Fi!

CAMP BAHARIA, Iraq (August 2, 2005) -- It may be difficult to imagine that the movement and operation of more than 1,000 troops rests in the hands of a 24-year-old lance corporal and his six teammates, but it’s a responsibility Murrysville, Penn. native, Dan Williams, shoulders here everyday. “A lot of people here have said that the operations we do are intel driven, and I firmly agree with that,” stated the intelligence analyst with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, a unit from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., currently conducting security and stability operations in and around Fallujah. The former...

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (March 10, 2004) -- Marines are facing rocket propelled grenade attacks, improvised explosive devices, suicide bombers and many other threats found in Iraq, all from the comfort of a computer screen in an air-conditioned cubicle. A modified version of the interactive computer game Operation Flashpoint, with the assistance of some Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans, is training Marines preparing to deploy to Iraq. “This training allows units to run through an endless amount of scenarios to prepare them for the unexpected,” said Cpl. Gary W. Hogue, a 21-year-old from Saint Louis, Mo. The 2nd Marine...

I remember watching a news clip of a Marine Infantry unit preparing to deploy from Camp Lejuene during the First Gulf War. I watched a young, squared away sergeant move competently among his men checking their gear and speaking quietly to them despite the rude, intrusive glare from the TV camera lights. Damn… I was proud of him and there was a muted urge to be there and be part of it again welling up deep from inside me. A few years later, I stopped at Quantico when I had a chance to go back there for a visit in...

Lejeune troops get orders for Iraq October 28,2004 STAFF REPORTS DAILY NEWS STAFF About 14,000 Marines and sailors with II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune will head to western Iraq in early 2005, military officials announced Wednesday. The deployment will be conducted in phases beginning in January and ending by March, according to the release from II MEF command at Camp Lejeune. The troops, which include forces from New River and Cherry Point air stations, should assume control of their assigned area by March, the release stated. The troops are expected to provide security and help stabilize the region....

NEAR KUT -- An idle mind being the devil's playground, Charlie Company's demons have had ample room to roam of late. After five days parked outside Kut awaiting orders, these men are going stir-crazy. Marines do not suffer inactivity well. At first, the downtime was welcome. Knowing their light-armored vehicles weren't rolling right away meant Marines could string rope between them to use as clothesline, and they did laundry. They took showers. They cleaned weapons. They built fires at night in the windswept desert. And despite orders to stay away from the roadside cigarette dealers, because those hawking smokes could...

After 15 years of keeping its distance, the tradition-oriented U.S. Marine Corps is cooperating more closely with the unconventional U.S. Special Operations Command. The two organizations are stepping up joint training exercises and deploying together more often in combat operations. The Marines have agreed "for the first time ever" to contribute a small unit to the Special Operations Command.The end result, according to some insiders, eventually could be a major Marine organization within special operations, on a par with the Navy's Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) teams or the Army's Special Forces.USSOCOM was formed in 1987 in an effort to...

<p>By Associated Press, 1/30/2003 10:32 CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) Two Marines have been arrested in the suspected sabotage of more than a dozen parachutes last fall, officials said. Three jumpers were slightly injured when they were forced to use their reserve chutes.</p>