November 4, 2011 Since 1957 Vol. 55 Issue 42 M777 v. M198

November 4, 2011 Since 1957 Vol. 55 Issue 42

PPFFCC.. AALLII AAZZIIMMII

Marines of Gun Six, Battery L, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment work with soldiers of the Australian Army to fire the M777A2 Howitzer during the Golden Eagle exercise held at Lead Mountain training area Nov. 1.

Australian, Marine artillerymen bond over bombs

The Marines of 3rd Battalion, 11th MarineRegiment, shared much with the soldiers ofthe Australian Army 1st Brigade, 8/12thover the last two months.

From exchanging knowledge to campgrounds ineach others’ homeland, the two units have formedbonds of brotherhood and trust that go beyond theirprimary mission of artillery.

It all started with Operation Golden Eagle in August,where the Marines from 3/11 took a month-long trip toAustralia to learn about the M198 howitzer used in theAustralian Army.

“I grew up on those [howitzers],” said Staff Sgt.John Harwood, section chief of Gun Six of 3/11. “Itwasn’t new to me, but my Marines had to learn how tofire the gun.”

This was the first time many of the Australian soldiersworked with Marines; the similarities among the militarybranches were enormous.

“They were the same as us,” said Australian LanceBombardier James Thatcher, detachment commander for

CCPPLL.. AANNDDRREEWW DD.. TTHHOORRBBUURRNN

Marines with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, and Australian soldiers with 1st Brigade, 8/12, tradestories while waiting for the fire missions to start coming downrange during cross training in support of EnhancedMojave Viper Oct. 26 at Quackenbush range.See 3/11, A6

Lance Cpl. Sarah DietzCombat Correspondent

Exchange

LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. DD..JJ.. WWUU

The new battle streamers fly in thewind during the rededicated battlecolors of 1st Tank Battalion at thebattalion’s tank ramp Tuesday.

LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. DD.. JJ.. WWUU

Marines, sailors and guestsof 1st Tank Battalion gath-ered together at the unit’stank ramp to commemo-rate the Battalion’s birthdaywith a color rededicationceremony Nov. 1.

The flag rededication wasa reminder of the history ofbattles of unit has beenthrough.

“A battle color rededi-cation is something thatneeds to be done everyonce in a while,” said Sgt.Maj. Troy Dabney, battal-ion sergeant major for 1st

Tank Bn. “The youngMarines of the battalionwitness first-hand the line-age of the unit.”

The full battalion wasformed up for the ceremony.There were also members of2nd Tank Battalion repre-senting the rest of the tankcommunity.

Along with the rededi-cation was the retirementof Master Sgt. WilliamCarroccia Jr., the unit’sformer S-4 chief, whoserved 13 of his 23 yearsin the Marine Corps with

Tanks history, rededicated

PPHHOOTTOOSS BBYY LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL SSAARRAAHH DDIIEETTZZ

[Right] Hayden Mitchell, 3-year-old daughter of Sgt.Cristopher Mitchell, a radiotechnician with CLB-7, excit-edly waves a sign to welcomeher father during his home-coming in the early morninghours of Oct. 29 at Del ValleField. The battalion recentlyreturned from their seven-month tour to Afghanistan.

[Below] Heather Alonzoembraces her husbandFrancisco Alonzo, after theirlong seven-month separationOct. 29 at Del Valle Field.

See TANKS, A7

M198 Howitzer• Main Weapon Caliber: 155• Weight: 15,760 pounds• Length: 35.75 feet• Degrees of lateral traverse: 45• Elevation: From 72 to -5 degrees• Crew size: 10• Rounds per minute: 4• Max range: 13.92 miles• Max rocket-assisted range:

18.64 miles

M777 Howitzer• Main Weapon Caliber: 155• Weight: 8,250 pounds• Length: 33.5 feet• Degrees of lateral traverse: 45• Elevation: From 71 to 3 degrees• Crew size: 7• Rounds per minute: 5• Max range: 15.3 miles• Max rocket-assisted range:

18.6 miles

M777 v. M198

Howitzer

� 1st Tanks addsbattle streamers,celebrates birthday

CLB-7 returns

OF FIRE

3/4’S fallenremembered,page A5

Championship gamelineup decided,page B1

Center

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AACCRROOSSSS

1. Spring formal 5. Where __ (trendy

place) 10. "Immediately!" in

the OR 14. Traditional

teachings 15. Lunar valley 16. One who's next in

line17. Black cat, to some18. Burger topper 19. Air France airport 20. Throwing a group

of troops? 23. Item up one's sleeve 24. "Agnus __" 25. Stubborn sort 28. Scud downer,

briefly 31. Shangri-la 34. Winter vehicle 36. Pastoral

expanses 38. Like some

vaccines and exams 40. Lemons' locale

41. Throwing a movie VIP? 44. Paid to play 45. Slaw or fries 46. End in __ (require

overtime) 47. Inspiration for the

Frisbee 49. Diana or Betsy 51. "__ longa, vita

brevis" 52. Pricing word 53. Feedbag morsel 55. 007 creator

Fleming 57. Throwing a

cheese? 64. Weevil's meal 66. Marsh wader 67. Omani money 68. Love-letter letters 69. Mount the

soapbox 70. One of Salome's

seven 71. Moffo or Magnani 72. Granada

gentleman 73. European erupter

THROWAWAY PUZZLE

Observation Post

The Observation Post is published by Hi-Desert Publishing, a private firm in no way con-nected with the Department of Defense or the United States Marine Corps, under exclu-sive written contract with the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. This commercialenterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services.Contents of the Observation Post are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by,the United States government, the DoD, or the United States Marine Corps. The appear-ance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not con-stitute endorsement by the DoD or Hi-Desert Publishing of the services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use orpatronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital sta-tus, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the pur-chaser, user or patron. Editorial content is prepared by the Public Affairs Office,MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, Calif. 92278. All photos, unless otherwise indicated areOfficial USMC Photos. Questions can be directed to the Public Affairs Office, locat-ed in building 1417, during normal working hours at 830-6213 or FAX 830-5474. TheObservation Post is made with 60 percent recycled paper.

DDOOWWNN

1. Alka-Seltzer- landing-in-water sound

2. "Arrivederci, __" 3. Metal-bearing

minerals 4. Bright bunch 5. Applied, as a

patch 6. Triangle tone 7. Unlikely, as

chances 8. For everyone to

hear 9. Present and past 10. Buck or brogan 11. Pottery clay 12. Feel out of sorts 13. Take a shot at 21. Lipinski's milieu 22. Slight coloration 26. __-faire 27. Metric units of

volume 28. Dogpatch's creator 29. Frosh's topper,

once

30. Guide to achieving a major objective

32. Joule fractions 33. Rock bottom 35. Shamu or Willy 37. Dele undoer 39. Italian beach

resort 42. Dumb cluck 43. Nixon or Agnew,

in the '70s 48. Snacks with salsa 50. Got a load of54. "It's done!" 56. Chicken's lack 58. Chase of stage

and screen 59. Tabriz's country 60. "Just say __

drugs" 61. Get lighter 62. Get heavier 63. Cinders of old

strips 64. "Be prepared"

org.65. Part of BYOB

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SUDOKU #2340

Eagle

Eyes

Immediately report any suspicious activity whichmay be a sign of terrorism, including:

1. Surveillance2. Suspicious questioning3. Tests of security4. Acquiring supplies5. Suspicious persons6. Trial runs7. Deploying assets

830-3937

Hot Topics

FFRRAAUUDD,, WWAASSTTEE,,MMIISSMMAANNAAGGEEMMEENNTT

HHOOTTLLIINNEEThe Command InspectorGeneral’s Fraud, Waste,Mismanagement Hotline isavailable to all military per-sonnel, civilian employeesand family members at 830-7749 or DSN 230-7749.Facsimiles can be called inat 830-6155 or DSN 230-6155. You can also file acomplaint at [email protected]

HHOOLLIIDDAAYY FFEESSTTIIVVAALL

The Marine CorpsCommunity Services herewill be hosting a HolidayFestival Dec. 5 at FelixField. Games, Santa, toysand beverages are availableto the families in atten-dance along with holidaycandy. For more informa-tion on the day, visithttp://www.mccs29palms.com.

TTUURRKKEEYY SSHHOOOOTT AATTGGOOLLFF CCOOUURRSSEE

There will be a two-manscramble at the DesertWinds Golf Course Nov.18. Show time is 8 a.m.,and tee time is 9 a.m. Signup as a team or as an indi-vidual. The fee is $30 andincludes golf, food andprizes. Sign up by Nov. 11at the golf course. Formore information, call830-6132.

WWOOMMEENN’’SS GGOOLLFFLLEESSSSOONNSS

The Desert Winds GolfCourse will be hosting golflessons for Combat Centerwomen. The six weeks ofinstruction will be taught by aPGA professional. The costis $100, which includes theuse of clubs and green fees.For more information, call830-3900.

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CCoorrrreessppoonnddeennttssCpl. William J. JacksonCpl. Andrew D. ThorburnLance Cpl. Sarah DietzLance Cpl. D. J. WuPfc. Ali AzimiDiane Durden

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

The 4th Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st MarineDivision, from Camp Pendleton, California, hasdeparted for their home Base after conducting a ten-day field artillery problem at 29 Palms.

According to Sergeant Major Eugene W.Snyder, the purpose of the exercise was to giveindividual instruction to newly arrived officersand men as well as to evaluate the combat effi-ciency of the battalion in their role as a majorartillery unit.

NNiigghhtt FFiirriinnggThroughout the problem11 several displace-

ments were made from the organization’s maincamp area. After these movements prolongednight firing exercises shattered the desert still-ness as the artillerymen brought the 105milimeter howitzers22 to bear on targets.

One of these lengthy exercises beganearly last Friday morning and ended at 6p.m. Saturday. Still another “shoot” lasted afull 22 hours.

When the visitors were not engaged in fir-ing the larger weapons they flexed their mus-cles and tested accuracy with the .30 and .50caliber machine guns and also the 3.5 rocketlauncher.

The battalion was supported throughoutthe ten days by the 2nd Light SupportCompany, 1st Service Battalion, 1st ForceService Regiment.33 This unit is also fromCamp Pendleton.

SSuucccceessssMajor Haskell C. Baker, Commanding

Officerof the 4th Battalion, termed the entireoperation as a “Terrific success.”

The recent change of weather aboardthe Base “did not hamper training,”emphasized Sgt. Major Snyder. He pointedout that it gave a much better picture ofthe combat efficiency of his battalion dur-ing inclement desert weather.44

He added that moral among the 450 mem-bers of his organization was very high; helpedout by exceptionally well prepared food fromthe battalion’s field kitchens. Sunday DivineServices were held for the troops by ChaplainWarrenn, 11th Marines Chaplain, and FatherJames Herferman from 29 Palms.

Reprinted from the Observation Post dated Nov, 3, 1959, Vol. 3, No. 44

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((11)) In the early years of theCombat Center, the field exer-cises were called problems.

((22)) The 105 mm M-101 howitzerwas developed in 1928. TheMarine Corps now uses theM777 A2 howitzer..

((33))The 1st Force ServiceRegiment was activated on July 1,1947 as the 1st Combat ServiceGroup. It became the 1st ForceService Regiment in 1957 andwas change to the current 1stMarine Logistics Group in 1976.

((44))The inclimate weather 4thBattalion, 11th Marine Regiment,shot in was most likely cold temper-atures, high winds and possible rain.

This Week in

Hist

ory

Combat

Patients curb rising pharmacycosts by switching to home deliveryTTRRIICCAARREE PPRREESSSS RREELLEEAASSEE

FALLS CHURCH, Va. –TRICARE patients are mak-ing the switch to HomeDelivery. In record numbers,patients with regular prescrip-tion medications are gettingtheir 90-day supplies throughthe mail-order option – TRI-CARE Pharmacy HomeDelivery. That’s made a dentin the use of more expensiveretail pharmacy options.

Retail pharmacy growthslowed from an annual rateof about seven percent in2010 to less than two percentthrough July 2011.

“This success is due inlarge part to great teamworkamong TMA staff, our phar-macy contractor, seniorDOD leadership, militaryassociations and many morepeople who took the time tohelp us get the word out,”

said the retiring TRICAREManagement ActivityDeputy Director Navy RearAdm. Christine Hunter.

It’s a trend she is sure willcontinue under the leader-ship of incoming TMAdeputy director, Brig. Gen.Bryan Gamble.

Beneficiaries who useTRICARE Pharmacy HomeDelivery get prescriptionmedications shipped conve-niently and safely to theirdoor through U.S. mail.Home Delivery also offersthe popular option of auto-matic prescription refills.

“Patients realize signifi-cant savings by getting regu-lar prescriptions thoughHome Delivery,” saidHunter. “So does theDepartment of Defense.”

There’s an additional rea-son to switch to HomeDelivery, which went into

effect Oct. 1. “Pharmacycopays are changing,” saidHunter. “We’re going to zerocopays on generic medica-tions obtained throughHome Delivery, and youcan’t do better than that.”

For more informationabout pharmacy options, newcopayment rates and HomeDelivery visit http://www.tri-care.mil/pharmacy.

Patients can see if makingthe switch to TRICAREPharmacy Home Deliveryworks for them and movetheir prescriptions to HomeDelivery through the web-site at www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE.There’s even an “app forthat” for registered users ath t t p : / / w w w. e x p r e s s -scripts.com/mobile whereregistered users can orderrefills, check orders and finda network pharmacy.

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One day, years ago, aftera couple of drinks,Narowski was enjoyinga scenic ride down thePacific Coast Highwayin Santa Barbara. Thevehicle’s driver, her

friend Heather, asked to switch places.Heather decided she was far too drunk to bebehind the wheel.

Narowski figured she was fine, made herway around the car and slipped into the dri-ver’s seat. She wasn’t wearing her seatbelt.

“That was the last time I ever walked,”she said. “I had only had two drinks the dayI put myself in a wheelchair. Two drinks.That’s it. That’s all it took.”

Driving intoxicated wasn’t the norm forNarowski. She usually wasn’t much of adrinker anyway. But she’d been a riskydriver for years.

“I didn’t get it. Ididn’t get that thosespeed limit signs werethere for a reason. Igot five speeding tick-ets while I was in col-lege. I always calledmy lawyer to get meout of it. And healways did.”

“Years later, not‘getting it’ would costme my legs.”

Now, she travels the country telling herstory, mostly to members of the ArmedServices, in the hopes that she can help keepothers from making the same bad choicethat changed her life forever.

“We feel safe in a car. We get in cars everyday. You are more likely as a U.S. Marine todie on a U.S. road than you are to die in Iraq.

“You’re U.S. Marines. You stand forwhat’s right in this world. If a Marine dieson a U.S. road because of a bad choice,there’s no purpose or honor in that at all.”

Narowski, 25 at the time of her crash, wasa personal trainer with a blossoming career.

“No seatbelt. Unfamiliar vehicle. Had hadtwo drinks. All those bad decisions in oneafternoon.”

“We hit the guardrail, and I flew into thesteering wheel. My body flew around like aragdoll. My vertebra exploded like a grenade.My spine stretched like taffy.

“A split second decision can have enor-mous consequences.”

She awoke hours later on a hard, unfamil-iar hospital bed.

“I tried to move, but I couldn’t move. Isaid, ‘I can’t move my legs.’ I said it again. ‘Ican’t move my legs.’”

Nurses ignored her. They were busy andalready knew the truth that Narowski hadn’tyet grasped.

She was paralyzed from the middle of herback, down.

“Your ability to walk is somethingyou never think you’re going to lose. I

never did. I felt invincible.”Narowski sustained enough damage to her

spinal cord that the broken bones, bruisesand concussions seemed like child’s play.

“If you get a brain or spinal cord injury,doctors can’t fix it,” she said.

After seemingly endless days of opera-tions and physical therapy, she left the hospi-tal with two back fusions and two titaniumrods holding everything together. She con-tinued to keep getting sick even after that.

The journey to regaining her life had justbegun. She needed to get back to some sem-blance of normalcy. But the crash had madethat near impossible.

“The first year or two was living hell.That is not something I want to happen toany of you,” she said.

“It wears on you emotionally. The firstthing they see is a wheelchair, not a person. Ijust wanted to be treated like Kelly.

“I’m trapped in abody that’s justunresponsive. It’snot a lifestyle I rec-ommend. It’s muchbetter to have theability to walk, theability to feel.”

Everything fromgoing to a restaurantwith family to spend-

ing time out withfriends had to be

planned meticulously.“If there’s not a ramp, you’re not going,”

she said.Bladder control is another issue many

adults take for granted.“Nothing is more degrading than being at

the mall with your friends and suddenly,there’s pee everywhere. And you think,‘Wow, I did this to myself.’”

Even after all of that, Narowski’s life madea turn for the better, she’s back on track andshe’s grateful at least her choice to drive whileintoxicated didn’t cost anyone their lives.

“I know how hard it is to live as a para-plegic. I think it’d be 100 times harder towake up, look in the mirror and know I mur-dered someone.”

Now, she’s married to a lieutenantcolonel in the U.S. Army, has a close-knitgroup of friends and an amazing supportnetwork. She spends her days doing some-thing she is passionate about – helping peo-ple make the right choices behind the wheel.

Narowski doesn’t want or need pity.“I make it a personal policy not to com-

plain about the spinal cord. It doesn’tchange anything and nobody wants to hearit. I’m not telling you this so you think, ‘Ohthat poor lady. She’s been through a lot.’ Iwant your thoughts to be, ‘I don’t want anypart of any of that,’” she said.

“There’re two types of people in thisworld. Those who get it, and those whodon’t.”

“I had to learn the hard way.”

SurvivorSTORY BY

EDITOR / PRESS CHIEF

SGT. HEATHER GOLDEN

OOBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN PPoosstt NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR 44,, 22001111 AA33

“I wasn’t born using a wheelchair.”This is how Kelly Narowski introduced her story,the one she tells to thousands of people every year.


Kelly Narowski, a motivational speaker who travels the country talking to young adultsabout the dangers of drinking and driving, tells Combat Center Marines about howdrunk driving took away the use of her legs.

The

Two drinks, one ride, change one woman’s life

““Nothing is more degrading

than being at the mall with yourfriends and suddenly, there’s peeeverywhere. And you think,‘Wow, I did this to myself.’”

– Kelly Narowski

Crystal Meyer has only been inCalifornia for a few months. Sheleft the only life she’d known, backwith her family and friends inWashington state, to marry Cpl.Zackary Meyer, a squad leader

with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment.Since then, she’s had to make some adjustments.“Before we got married, I would come out

and visit and meet some of his friends,” Crystal said. “It’svery different now. He’s not home all the time, so I amgetting used to being by myself a lot, but still being therefor him.”

Crystal said she knew what it meant to marry a Marine,but she didn’t really understand what it was that kept himfrom their home, and walking in the door exhausted.

Thanks to 1/7’s Jane Wayne Day event Saturday, Crystal,like other of the unit’s family members, now has a taste ofwhat her Marine does on a daily basis.

“It has always been when he would say that he is goingout into the field, I just think they’re going out and camping,and think ‘Oh that’s pretty fun,’” Crystal said. “But now Icould see how it could tire you out.”

The event offered a different perspective for a pair ofparents who came out to see what their son has been upto since graduating recruit training in May 2010. PatriciaHillis and her husband Edward J. Hillis, said they are filled

with pride with what their son, Pfc. Cody Hillis, amachine gunner with 1/7, has accomplished so far.

“He has a feeling of maturity, like he grew up,” Patriciasaid. “He always had a good head on his shoulders, but itwas even better than that.”

Patricia and Edward even watched their son in action ashe demonstrated how to fire a Mk-19 automatic grenadelauncher for the group.

Siblings also took part to see their brothers in thefield or to swap war stories from their own time in theMarine Corps.

“It’s awesome,” said Andrew Hooper, the older brotherof Lance Cpl. Gregory Hooper, a machine gunner, with 1/7.Andrew is a former Marine infantryman. “Me and him getalong a lot better than we have ever before, and we havemore things to talk about.”

The chance to check out the equipment his brother willdeploy with was something else Andrew said he enjoyed.

“I love it, they have a lot of new things to help keep themsafer for when he goes to Afghanistan,” he said. “I am superhappy they are spending the money to give the grunts theequipment they need to fight.”

Greg Hooper, the father of Lance Cpl. Hooper, was veryimpressed with how close the families got to the equipment.

“My oldest son was with 1st Battalion, 9th MarineRegiment, and I was able to attend an event there,”Greg said. “It’s got a lot more hands-on at this eventwith the vehicles, and being allowed to get in. Ofcourse, the qualified personnel giving the briefs is veryinformational.”

As the day ended, the families and their Marines slappedoff the desert’s dust and boarded the charter buses beforeheading back home.

Now when Cpl. Meyer kisses his wife goodbye beforethe next field training operation, Crystal will know exactlywhat he’s up to.



Patricia Hillis and her husband Edward J. Hillis (left, in group) watch their son demonstrate the Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher during the Jane Wayne Day event Saturday.


Cpl. Zackary Meyer, a rifleman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, helps his wife Crystal, properly loadan M240G machine gun during the unit’s Jane Wayne Day Saturday.

JaneWAYNEDAYMilitary familieslearn more aboutloved ones’ lives

Cpl. Andrew D. ThorburnCombat Correspondent


Fallen heroes

PPFFCC.. AALLII AAZZIIMMII COMBAT CORRESPONDENT

The flag waved in the heavy wind, starsand stripes dancing around one another.

A formation of 3rd Battalion, 4thMarine Regiment Marines stood at thecenter of Torrey L. Gray Field, silent andmotionless. Families and Marines ofother units filled the bleachers lookingon toward 3/4’s formation. In betweenthe two massive groups laid five pictureframes each with the immortalizedimage of five fallen heroes.

The 3/4 memorial service took placeat Gray Field on Oct. 27, honoring theMarines who made the ultimate sacrificein service of their country:

Staff Sgt. Leon H. Lucas Jr., 32, of

Wilson, N.C.; Cpl. Paul H. Zanowick II,23, of Miamisburg, Ohio; Cpl. Mark R.Goyet, 22, of Sinton, Texas; Lance Cpl.Christopher L. Camero, 19, of KailuaKona, Hawaii; and Lance Cpl. Jason D.Hill, 20, of Poway, Calif.

The ceremony started with colorsand led to speeches by Lt. Col.Robert Piddock, commanding officerof 3/4; Cpl. Daniel W. Blesi,Company L, 3/4; and Cpl. ScottyCouch Weapons Co, 3/4.

Marines with either M16 A4 rifles,dog tags, Kevlar helmets or a pair ofboots in hand, marched in single fileposting in front of each picture frame.

Next, the name of each fallenMarine was called out as the Marinesposted in front of the picture emplaced

the rifle, helmet, dog tags and finally theboots, forming a battlefield cross infront of each picture.

Seven Marines with rifles standing atthe edge of the service then fired threevolleys into the air in honor of theMarines, a 21-gun salute.

The ceremony concluded with thefamilies being given the right of beingthe first ones to approach the riflememorials and pay their respects.Following them, an endless line ofMarines and friends formed, waiting fortheir turns to pay tribute.

“We will continue to honor our fall-en comrades’ lives by living and loving,”said Navy Lt. Dru Nelson, the unit’schaplain. “Their memory will continueon and endure this side of eternity.”

PPHHOOTTOOSS BBYY PPFFCC.. AALLII AAZZIIMMII

Mannette Zanowick, mother of Cpl. Paul W. Zanowick II, grieves in front of her son's battlefield cross alongside hisfather, Paul, and wife, Ryanlynn, during the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment's memorial service held at LanceCpl. Torrey L. Gray Field Oct. 27. The unit lost five Marines during their deployment.

A Marine pays respects in front of the battlefield crossof Lance Cpl. Jason Hill, one of the five Marines whowere paid tribute to during the 3rd Battalion, 4thMarine Regiment's memorial service held at LanceCpl. Torrey L. Gray Field Oct. 27.

Cpl. John C. Smeeton (right) and Cpl. Scotty D.Couch, both with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion,4th Marine Regiment, grieve for their fallen 3/4brothers during the memorial service at Lance Cpl.Torrey L. Gray Field Oct. 27.

Remembered

Marines, families honor five fallen 3/4 Marines



Marines with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, work with Australian soldiers with 1st Brigade, 8/12, to align Gun Five on the firing line during cross training in sup-port of Enhanced Mojave Viper Oct. 26 at Quackenbush range.

8/12th. “They work the sameand joke the same,” he said.

After the month-longfield training in Australia, theMarines came home, only tosee their new comrades ontheir turf in the ranges ofthe Combat Center.

This time, it was theartillerymen of 3/11’s turnto teach the soldiers abouttheir M777 howitzer, the pri-mary howitzer used in theMarine Corps and a weaponthe Australian army hasrecently incorporated in itsartillery units.

“It uses the same [ammu-nition] but is a differentgun,” said AustralianBombardier Matt Powers,the section chief of 8/12th.“It has a lot more computersand technology in it. Thishas been great for hands on

experience and the Marinesare awesome teachers.”

Aside from knowledgeand experience, the twonations gained somethinginvaluable--a brotherhood.

“We picked up rightwhere we left off [afterOperation Golden Eagle],”Thatcher said. “It feels likewe are a team now. It allstarted back in Australia andwe finished it here. Theseguys are my mates.”

“We’re so close and reallytight,” said Cpl. NicholasNoe, the recorder for GunSix 3/11.

There isn’t much of aculture gap, and we will defi-nitely keep in contact witheach other, he added.

The Australians’ visit herewill end late November, afterthey attend one more eventto build brotherhood --3/11’s Marine Corps Ball.

3/11, from A1


Marines with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, and Australian soldiers with 1st Brigade, 8/12, work in tan-dem to fire the M777 howitzer during cross training in support of Enhanced Mojave Viper Oct. 26 at Quackenbush range.

336677--33557777 FFoorr AAddvveerrttiissiinngg


Lt. Col. Timothy Barrick, 1st Tank Battalion’s commanding officer, connects battle streamers on the rededicat-ed battle colors at the battalion’s tank ramps Tuesday. The event was held on the unit’s birthday.

SSuunnddaayyIImmmmaaccuullaattee HHeeaarrtt ooffMMaarryy8:45 a.m. - Confessions+9 a.m. - Rosary9:30 a.m. - CatholicMass*9:30 a.m. - Children’sLiturgy of the Word4 p.m. - Choir Practice4:15 p.m. -Confessions+4:30 p.m. - Rosary5 p.m. - Catholic MassCChhrriisstt CChhaappeell9 a.m. - CalvaryFellowship(ContemporaryWorship*)9 a.m. - Children’s Church10:30 a.m. - Redemption(A blend of traditionaland contemporary worship)10:45 a.m. - (Children’sChurch*)WWeeeekkddaayy EEvveennttssIImmmmaaccuullaattee HHeeaarrtt ooffMMaarryyMon.-Fri. 11:45 a.m.-Catholic MassCChhrriisstt CChhaappeellMon. - Fri., noon -PrayerTTuueessddaayyCChhrriisstt CChhaappeell9 a.m. - Christian

COMBAT CENTER RELIGIOUS SERVICES

MMuusslliimm pprraayyeerr ssppaaccee iiss aavvaaiillaabbllee iinn tthhee VViillllaaggee CCeenntteerr,, rroooomm 8877..JJeewwiisshh pprraayyeerr ssppaaccee iiss aavvaaiillaabbllee iinn tthhee VViillllaaggee CCeenntteerr,, rroooomm 9933..FFoorr mmoorree iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn ccaallll 883300--55443300..

Women’s Fellowship*(Sept.-May)IImmmmaaccuullaattee HHeeaarrtt ooffMMaarryy3:30-5:30 p.m. - MilitaryCouncil of CatholicWomenWWeeddnneessddaayyIImmmmaaccuullaattee HHeeaarrtt ooffMMaarryyFirst Wednesday, 6 p.m. -Baptism preparation class7 p.m. - Knights ofColumbusTThhuurrssddaayyIImmmmaaccuullaattee HHeeaarrtt ooffMMaarryy9 a.m. - Adult Class6 p.m. - Children RCIA6:30 p.m. - RCIA (Sept.-April)7 p.m. - Gr. 7 andConfirmationFFrriiddaayyIImmmmaaccuullaattee HHeeaarrtt ooffMMaarryyFirst Friday each month,12:15 p.m.4:30 p.m. -Exposition/AdorationMost Blessed Sacrament

* Indicates child care is provided+ Call 830-6456/6482for confession andappointments.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

SUDOKU SOLUTION

CCHHAARRIITTYY AABBIIGGAAIILL OOCCHHOOAABorn to Thomas and Tavve Ochoa

Oct. 21, 2011

JJOOHHNN VVIINNCCEENNTT DDUUGGOOBorn to Nicklaus and Emily Dugo

Oct. 21, 2011

AALLEEXXAANNDDRRAA KKAATTHHLLEEEENN BBAASSIILLEEBorn to Sean and Ashley Basile

Oct. 20, 2011

KKEELLLLEENN JJAAMMEESS PPOOOOLLEEBorn to Johnathon and Kasandra Poole

Oct. 6, 2011

MMEEGGGGAANN LLYYNNNN PPRREENNTTIICCEEBorn to Schyler and Amber Prentice

Oct. 18, 2011

PPAAYYTTOONN LLEEEE BBOOHHMMBorn to Benjamin and Sara Bohm

Oct. 18, 2011

BBRRIITTTTOONN MMAAEE EEIICCHHEELLBBEERRGGEERRBorn to Andrew and Kelly Eichelberger

Oct. 16, 2011

EETTHHAANN DDOOUUGGLLAASS NNAANNCCEEBorn to Justin and Ashley Nance

Oct. 14, 2011

CCAALLLLIIEE JJEEAANN TTOODDDDBorn to Edwin and Sarah Todd

Oct. 13, 2011

EELLII KKYYAANN PPAAPPEEZZBorn to Jeremy and Irene Papez

Oct. 13, 2011

COMBAT CENTER BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS


Master Sgt. William Carroccia Jr., former S-4 chief with 1st Tank Battalion, receives his retirement flag from Lt.Col. Timothy Barrick, the battalion’s commanding officer, during a ceremony marking the unit’s history Tuesday.

Whatever you’re looking for, you can

find it in theObservation PostClassified section

1st Tank Battalion.“The battle color rededications are

typically done on special occasions,”said 1st Lt. Phillip Tate, battalion adju-tant. “Today the occasion is represent-ed two-fold in the battalion’s birthday

and master sergeant’s retirement.”The battalion, which was activated

Nov. 1, 1941, celebrated their 70thbirthday in front of the tank commu-nity with a cake cutting. The firstpiece was given to the Marine whohad served in the battalion longestand then passed to the newest mem-ber of the unit.

Dabney said, “[The ceremony today]was one last opportunity to get everyonein the battalion together before thecompanies leave for their deploymentsto Afghanistan.”

The battalion currently has one com-pany deployed to Afghanistan and ispreparing for another tank element toleave in the near future.

TANKS, from A1

Visit the official MCAGCC facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/thecombatcenter. CHECK OUT OUR NEW

YOUTUBE TAB HERE TOO!

Hey Combat Center fans – Spread the word! The CombatCenter has its own YouTube channel. Find it at

http://www.youtube.com/user/Combat CenterPAO.



NNAAVVYY PPEETTTTYY OOFFFFIICCEERR SSEECCOONNDD CCLLAASSSS JJOONNAATTHHAANN CCHHAANNDDLLEERR

SSGGTT.. KKUUAANNDDEE HHAALLLL

SSGGTT.. KKUUAANNDDEE HHAALLLL

CCPPLL.. BBRRYYAANN NNYYGGAAAARRDD

[[AAbboovvee]] Cpl. Shaun Pennington, a system communicatorwith 2nd Marine Division (Forward), crosses the finishline during the Marine Corps Marathon Forward aboardCamp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Oct. 30. More than 300coalition service members participated in the 26.2-milemarathon. The race is a satellite edition of the MarineCorps Marathon in Washington, D.C.

[[TToopp,, ffaarr rriigghhtt]] U.S. and NATO service members and civil-ians run the Marine Corps Marathon Forward at CampLeatherneck, Afghanistan, Oct. 30. The satellite race hasbeen held annually aboard Leatherneck since 2009.

[[RRiigghhtt]] Participants in the 36th annual Marine CorpsMarathon kick off the race through the nation's capitalOct. 30. Marine and actor Drew Carey fired the startingshot and there were a total of 30,000 participants from allwalks of life who ran the 26.2 mile race.

CCPPLL..BBRRYYAANN NNYYGGAAAARRDD

[[AAbboovvee]] Participants await the start of the Marine CorpsMarathon Forward aboard Camp Leatherneck,Afghanistan, Oct. 30.

[[LLeefftt]] Participants in the 36th annual Marine CorpsMarathon wheeled portion begin the event 15 minutesprior to the runners for the National Capital Regionrace Oct. 30.

November 4, 2011 Since 1957 Vol. 55 B SECTION

PPFFCC.. AALLII AAZZIIMMIICOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

It has been a long and gruelingseason leading up to the play-offs for the CommandingGeneral’s Intramural FootballLeague.

Four teams faced off overthe course of six weeks lead-ing to these last games.

After fighting tooth andnail, the teams narroweddown to the final two.

The Mustangs defeated theMWSS-374 Rhinos in the play-off game Nov. 2 at Felix field,earning them the chance toface the undefeated Bulldawgs

in the finals Nov. 9.The game started off

slowly, with no points in thefirst quarter for either team.Each team was careful intheir strategy using each playas efficiently as possible. NoHail Marys or crazy plays, justtrying to run the ball to theend zone.

In the second quarter theRhinos took the lead with atouchdown, bringing thescore 7-0.

The Rhinos reinforced theirdefense. For a while it seemedas though the Mustangs wouldnot get through.

But the Mustangs did not

rest. They pushed through theRhinos’ defense and madetheir way to the end zone for atie. They crushed what was aseemingly impenetrabledefense and went on to scoreanother five points and win thegame 12-7.

The Mustangs will go onto face the Bulldawgs innext week’s finals anddecide who is the CombatCenter’s top team.

The winner of the finalmatch-up will represent theinstallation in the Best ofthe West game againstCamp Pendleton’s bestfootball team Nov. 12.

’Stangs to face undefeatedBulldawgs in championship

MUSTANGSOVE ON

MWSS-374 Rhinos’ runninng backAlex Esprza attempts to breakthrough the MCCES Mustangs’defensive line during theCommanding General’s IntramuralFootball League playoff game atFelix Field Nov. 2.

PPHHOOTTOOSS BBYY PPFFCC.. AALLII AAZZIIMMII

MCCES Mustangs’ running back Chris Harris fights to make it to the end zone during the playoff game at Felix Field Nov. 2.

MWSS-374 Rhinos’ running back Byron Robinson istaken down by the MCCES Mustangs’ defensive line dur-ing the Commanding General’s Intramural FootballLeague playoff game at Felix Field Nov. 2.

NNEEIILL PPOONNDDAMERICAN PROFILE

“Footloose” Starring Julianne Hough &Kenny Wormald113 min., PG-13

The word “footloose” hasbeen around for centuries,but since a certain movienearly 20 years ago, it’sbecome shorthand forKevin Bacon with spikedhair and a skinny necktie, atown of repressedteenagers, and a catchytheme song performed byKenny Loggins.

Hollywood has alwaysbeen fond of revisitingfamiliar themes, but the newreboot of “Footloose” ispractically a cinematic clone.

There’s an all-new cast,new hip-hopped, country-fried, crunked-up soundtracktunes, and a couple of minorembellishments, like chang-ing the location fromOklahoma to Georgia. Butthe characters, the scenes, the

dancing, even much of thedialogue—they’re all pluggedinto a rigidly prefabricatedstoryline that treats its 1984predecessor more as holywrit instead of perishableReagan-era cheese.

In case you’re unfamiliarwith the premise, it’s about asmall town where over-zeal-ous city fathers ban lasciviousdancing after a car full oftipsy teens perish on the wayhome from an event wherethe music was blaring, thebodies were shaking and thebeer was flowing.

Three years down theroad from the tragic accident,life has moved on. Prohibitedfrom shaking their groovethangs in public, kids havetaken dancing underground,where a thriving subculturehas created an entire highschool of hoofers talentedenough to freestyle on “SoYou Think You Can Dance.”

Then a transplanted newkid, Ren (Kenny Wormaldstepping into the originalKevin Bacon role), comes to

town. Incredulous at thepuritanical no-fun zone inwhich he finds himself land-ed and stranded, he sparks aboot-scootin’ revolution.

Former “Dancing WithThe Stars” cast member andcountry music performerJulianne Hough plays Ariel,the rebellious preacher’s kidwith a hankering for badboys. Dennis Quaid is heroverprotective, man-of-the-cloth father, whose stand-by-your-man wife (AndieMcDowell) calmly suggestshe could stand to cut theirdaughter some slack.

Although this new“Footloose” is set in a mod-ern world, there’s somethingabout it almost bizarrely outof time, out of place and outof sync. It depicts a Southerncommunity where iced tea isserved strangely iceless, thelocal cotton factory doesn’tseem to have any technologybeyond the Iron Age, andkids take over the drive-intheater (a ’50s relic in a 21stcentury remake of an ‘80s

flick—now there’s a doozieof a time-warper) for sweaty,sexy, after-hours dance-offs.

It may be Georgia in 2011,but it seems like anotherplanet.

But none of that willprobably matter to the targetaudience of teens and youngadults fuzzy on the detailsabout another movie of thesame name, from an era thatseems prehistoric to anyoneunder the age of 25. In bothmovies, Ren stands beforethe city council and urgesthem to lift the ban on danc-ing, imploring them to breakthe chains from yesteryear, togive youth back their right tobump and grind.

“This is our time!” hesays, his Bostonian “out-sider” accent ringing in theSouthern ears of whatappears to be the entire townturned out for the meeting.

And so it is, as it hasever been, as it always shallbe: Every generation hasits time…time to cutloose—footloose!

BB22 NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR 44,, 22001111 OOBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN PPoosstt

Liber t y Call

New reboot of ’80s teen-dancing

drama is practically a cinematic clone

BBlleessss MMee FFaatthheerrWhen: Every Friday & Saturday until Dec. 17 at 7pmDec 1 Thurs., Sunday Matinee’ Dec. 11Where: Theatre 29736377 Sullivan Rd., Twentynine Palms For tickets and information call 316.4151 or visit http://www.theatre29.org

SSoolliidd RRaayy WWooooddss wwiitthh SSppeecciiaall GGuueesstt KKaall DDaavviiddLive Music Rhythm and soul performanceWhen: November 4, at 8 pmWhere: Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace53688 Pioneertown Rd., Pioneertownfor more information visit:http://www.pappyandharriets.com or call 365-5956.

2299 PPaallmmss AAnnnnuuaall WWeeeedd SShhoowwUnique artistic displays of indigenous desert vegetationWhen: Nov. 5, 12 pm - 4 pm, Nov. 6, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Where: Old School House Museum6760 National Park Dr., Twentynine PalmsAdmission is FREE, donations are welcome.For more information, visit http://www.29palmshistorical.com or call 367-2366.

Local Events

EExxccuurrssiioonnss EEnnlliisstteedd CClluubbFriday: Social Hour with food, 5 - 7 p.m. followed byDJ Gjettblaque, 8 to 11 p.m., Ladies NightSaturday: Variety Night, DJ Gjettblaque 8 - 11 p.m.Sunday: Football coverage, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.Monday: Monday Night Football coverage, 5:30 p.m.Thursday: Social Hour, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

BBllooooddssttrriippeess NNCCOO CClluubbFriday: Social Hour with food, 5 to 7 p.m.Monday: Monday Night Football coverage, 5:30 p.m.Wednesday: Free gourmet bar food, 5 to 7 p.m.Thursday: Social Hour, 7 - 9 p.m.

HHaasshhmmaarrkkss 2299 SSNNCCOO CClluubbFriday: Social Hour, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.Monday-Friday: Lunch from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Monday: Steak night and full menu, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.Tuesday: Social Hour, 5 - 7 p.m.Thursday: Social Hour, 5 - 7 p.m.

CCoommbbaatt CCeenntteerr OOffffiicceerrss’’ CClluubbMonday: Steak night, 5 - 7:30 p.m.Monday-Friday: All-hands lunch, from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Thursday: Happy Hour, 5 - 7 p.m.

For complete calendars visit http://www.mccs29palms.com.

Combat Center Clubs

Sunset Cinema

Lower DesertTThhee VViillllaaggee PPeeooppllee70’s Disco IconsWhen: 9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4Where: Agua Caliente32-250 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho MirageFor more information call 888-999-1995 or visit http://hotwatercasino.com.

GGoollddeenn BBooyy BBooxxiinngg,, MMoorraa vvss FFlloorreess,, 1100 rroouunndd bboouuttWith a special meet and greet oppotunity with EvanderHolyfieldWhen: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, IndioFor more information call 800-827-2946 or visithttp://www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

ZZaapppp//TThhee OOhhiioo PPllaayyeerrssPerforming soul and funk musicWhen: 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19Where: Morongo Casino Resort and Spa49500 Seminole Drive, CabazonFor more information call 800-252-4499 or visithttp://www.morongocasinoresort.com.

TThhee ccoommeeddyy ooff BBiillll EEnnggvvaallllThe blue-collar comedian performs his stand upWhen: 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 26Where: Spotlight 29 Casino Resort46-200 Harrison Place, CoachellaFor more information call 866-377-6829 or visithttp://www.spotlight29.com.

CCOOUURRTTEESSYY PPHHOOTTOO

When an overly protective town never lets up on its youth, Kenny Wormald’s character takes on his town byfighting for a school dance. The 1980’s classic is back on screen with new actors and new perspective onAmerica’s youth 30 years ago.

SSuunnsseett CCiinneemmaa wwiillll bbee cclloosseedd NNoovv.. 22tthhrroouugghh DDeecc.. 88..

Relax with the paper

Hi-Desert Publishing Co.Your community newspapers working to serve you better

Wednesdays and Saturdayswith the Hi-Desert Star

Thursdays withThe Desert Trail

Fridays withThe Observation Post

Drama Killers’ catcher AlexisHunter watches the ball as itcomes to the plate in a gameagainst Outkast in the Co-edSoftball League Tuesday.

TTeeaamm WWiinnss LLoosssseess1. Pitch Slapped !!! 4 12. OutKast 4 13. Drama Killers 4 14. Chicks & Sticks 3 25. MCTOG Spartans 2 36. K’s Buy 2 37. MWSS-374 1 48. Ballz & Dollz 0 5

Co-ed Softball League: Week 5

Batter up!

336677--33557777 FFoorr AAddvveerrttiissiinngg

In one of the first grappling tournaments since theirtriumph in Serbia in September, Fight Club 29 went toMurrieta, Calif for a Grappling Experience No-Gitournament, Oct. 22.

The tight knit team took five fighters with them to the tour-nament and tested out some of the new fight club additionsin the grappling action. The team descended on their compe-tition with confidence in their abilities and in knowing thattheir teammates were there supporting them.

“In the first match, I won with a submission,” said AlexHempstead, Fight Club 29 athlete. “It wasn’t a real technically

sound take down, but everyone wanted to see a slam.”It is Fight Club 29’s hard training, aggression and team spir-

it that get them through these types of tournaments.“I believe I’m getting better in the tournaments,”

Hempstead said, who placed either first or second in all threeof his last tournaments. “But if it wasn’t for my teammates, Iwouldn’t be getting any better.”

Hempstead finished first in his division in the tourna-ment, continuing his string of successes in tournamentswith Fight Club 29.

The team trains together daily at the Combat Center’s

sergeant’s course gym, working on their deficiencies and get-ting better as a team.

“We just help each other out, even here at the competi-tion,” said Edmund Cretens, fighter with the team.

The members of the team help each other duringcompetitions by acting as assistant coaches and offeringfull moral support.

The team will continue to support their fighters in thefuture. Mike Smith, one of the teams veteran fighters, is slat-ed to turn professional, and the team will be there supportinghim in his first professional mixed-martial art fight Nov. 19.


Edmund Cretens with Fight Club 29 has his hand raised in victory during a Grappling Experience No-Gi tour-nament in Murrieta, Calif., Oct.22. Cretens finished first in his division and received a gold medal.


Edmund Cretens, a Fight Club 29 athlete, attempts to choke out his opponent in a match during a Grappling Experience No-Gi tournament in Murrieta, Calif., Oct. 22.Cretens has been in Fight Club 29 and has been racking up tournament victories for almost six months.

OOBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN PPoosstt NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR 44,, 22001111 BB33

Photos and story by Lance Cpl. D.J. WuCombat Correspondent

� Team takes gold ingrappling tournament

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Documents

November 4, 2011 Since 1957 Vol. 55 Issue 42 M777 v. M198