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June 13, 2003
Most of 2nd MEB headed home
Associated Press
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Approximately 5,000 of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade will return to North Carolina by the end of the month after absorbing significant casualties during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The entire 7,000-member brigade based at Camp Lejeune was scheduled to return, but up to 1,900 Marines and sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship Kearsarge will be diverted to Liberia where American civilians could be evacuated from a civil war in the country.
The 2nd MEB was part of Task Force Tarawa in Iraq, comprised of Marines and sailors that left the base aboard seven ships in January. The brigade suffered the brunt of Marine ground combat casualties in Nasiriyah and other operations up to the edge of Baghdad in March.
The unit had 27 Marines listed as killed in action from combat and accidents during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marine Corps spokesman Maj. Michael Neumann said last month.
Shortly after the brigade returned to its boats, a U.S.-made M-42 howitzer fragmentation round — mistakenly placed in a trash receptacle — exploded aboard the amphibious assault ship Saipan on May 7. The explosion injured 11 sleeping Marines.
Members of the 2nd MEB had vivid memories of sandstorms appearing out of nowhere, Iraqi Scud missile attacks and other harrowing situations.
“I won’t forget them for a while and the nuclear, biological and chemical training that I’ve learned over the year,” said Cpl. Charles J. Varner II, a maintenance administration analyst from Huntington, Pa., with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365.
“To be able to actually put that into practice was valuable. The next time I have to give a class, I can say this is valuable information and can happen in any situation
------------------------------------------------------------ Out of every 100 men, ten shouldn't even be there, Eighty are just targets, Nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back." - Hericletus, circa 500 BC ----------------------------------------------------------- 
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