TRICK OR TREAT HOURS | MONDAY FROM 5 TO 9 P.M. Running for a Cure: Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune sponsors fun run Page 1B
THE
Chefs compete in pastathemed culinary competition Page 1C
Nightmares begin on Terror Town streets Page 1D
GLOBE Serving Camp Lejeune and surrounding areas since 1944 WWW.CAMPLEJEUNEGLOBE.COM
VOLUME 73 EDITION 43
THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2011
Family, friends, survivors remember those who came in peace
Photo by Cpl. Miranda Blackburn
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and city officials lay wreaths at the base of the Beirut Memorial wall in honor of lost troops during the 25th annual Beirut Memorial Observance Ceremony, held at the Beirut Memorial at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, N.C., Sunday. CPL. MIRANDA BLACKBURN Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
In the early morning hours of Oct. 23, 1983, an explosive fireball pulverized a four-story Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 241 service members, most of whom were stationed out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The attack was the deadliest single day in Marine Corps history since Iwo Jima. A quarter-century and several wars have passed, but the memory of the Beirut attacks remains fresh in the hearts of the community. In commemoration of the Marines, sailors and soldiers who lost their lives, the 25th annual Beirut Memorial Observance Ceremony was held at the Beirut Memorial at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, N.C., Sunday. The memorial ceremony illustrates the
sacrifice service members made for freedom and also educates a young audience on a significant event in our history. In 1986, the first Beirut Memorial ceremony was held, beginning the city and the base’s oath to “never forget.” This anniversary draws veterans and family members to Jacksonville from across the country to remember the sacrifice those service members made in the name of freedom. During the memorial service, presided over by city and MCB Camp Lejeune officials, Beirut Memorial Advisory Board member Ronald Bower reminded the audience of how the community had taken action following the tragedy. Raising more than $270,000, the community and City of Jacksonville Beautification and Appearance Commission first planted a row of Bradford Pear trees along Freedom
Way in honor of the fallen and then built a granite wall with their names and the motto “They Came in Peace.” “The memorial that was erected entirely by private funds continues to stand as a memorial by the city of Jacksonville to the troops whose names are carved in stone,” Bower said. The guest of honor, AsPhoto by Cpl. Miranda Blackburn sistant Commandant of the Members of Rolling Thunder bow their heads for a moment of Marine Corps Gen. Joseph prayer during the 25th annual Beirut Memorial Observance Dunford, recalled the names Ceremony, held at the Beirut Memorial at the Lejeune Memorial and stories of a few of the fallen as he addressed the crowd: Gardens in Jacksonville, N.C., Sunday. the world. We lost Marines who of Gold Star mothers, who have Capt. Michael Haskell, Sgt. Maj. Frederick Douglass, Sgt. carried on the proud traditions lost a child in the service of his Jeffrey Young and Lance Cpl. of our Corps and unhesitatingly or her country. performed their duty.” As the ceremony ended, famJohnny Copeland. The ceremony concluded with ily members made their way to “We lost husbands, fathers, little league coaches and mem- the laying of wreaths in honor the wall, viewed the names of bers of our church,” Dunford of the lost troops at the base of their loved ones, wiped their said. “We lost men who made the memorial wall as well as the tears away and promised yet a difference in our lives and in dedication of a plaque in honor again to “never forget.”
DJIBOUTI
Marines drop rounds in Djiboutian desert CPL. DWIGHT A. HENDERSON 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
Marines with Company E, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted a 60 mm mortar shoot while training ashore near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, recently. The Marines fired the M-224 60 mm mortar system conventionally, using a tripod and forward observer, and hand-help, using the motorman’s own ability to judge range and aim, to better hone their skills while forward deployed. “It’s always important to actually do our job with live rounds,” said Cpl. David A. Dias, the
INSIDE THE GLOBE
mortarman section leader with Company E. “Being on ship, we can’t use live rounds and deal with the safety complications. So it’s always good to get out there so we’re prepared if anything should happen in our area of operations.” Conventional, coordinated fires training refers to firing the motor system from its tripod at targets designated by a forward observer. The Marines accurately launched motors at targets more than Photo by Cpl. Dwight A. Henderson two kilometers away. Cpl. Philip D. Alexander, a mortar section squad leader with After firing nearly 80 rounds, the Marines practiced firing the mortar system in the hand- Company E, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine held mode. Hand-held firing requires even more Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to drop a 60 mm mortar into an M-224 60 mm mortar system during a mortar range outside of Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, recently. SEE DJIBOUTI 10A
MARADMIN changes guidelines for tuition assistance eligibility, funding, restrictions CPL. DAMANY S. COLEMAN
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
ARTILLERY SECTION CHIEFS ALWAYS ON CALL PAGE 9A LEJEUNE SPORTS 1B INSIDE LEJEUNE 1C CLASSIFIEDS 4C CAROLINA LIVING 1D
The Marine Corps Administrative message 616/11 – which covers Marine Corps tuition assistance eligibility, funding provision and restrictions – was issued recently and has made a few changes that current and potential students should be aware of. The changes covered in the MARADMIN, which affect all Marines with different education stipulations, have taken effect Oct. 1. According to the MARADMIN, “This new approach to TA recognizes the education funding options that are intended to support a broader continuum of learning or achievement of educational degrees or certification that may be necessary for those Marines transitioning out of the Marine Corps after successful service.” This includes a ceiling of $175 per semester hour for undergraduate courses, $225 per semester hour for graduate courses and $3,500 per fiscal year. However, Marine Corps TA analysis con-
firmed that most Marines who use TA only take four or five semester hours per year. “Therefore, Marines are restricted to five semester hours per year for TA reimbursement, or $875 per fiscal year,” according to the MARADMIN. Other fees, such as lab, technology and distance learning are not to exceed $30 combined. Also, TA cannot be used for application and registration fees, credit examinations and nonrefundable student fees, such as credit matriculation or graduation. Both officers and enlisted personnel new to a duty station must spend at least a year there before TA can be authorized. They also must have passed their last physical fitness test or combat fitness test and must be recommended for promotion or advancement, if applicable. Marines who have undergone non-judicial punishment or court-martial within the past 12 months cannot be authorized TA. Finally, when Marines meet all other requirements for TA, they must have already completed the Marine Corps Institute courses on Lead-
ership, course ID 8112A, or personal financial management, course ID 3420F. According to additional TA information gathered by Maj. Shawn Haney, public affairs officer with Manpower and Reserve Affairs, the $875 per FY for each Marine applies to undergraduate courses only. “The graduate course maximum amount per FY for each Marine is $1,125, based on the rationale that graduate courses are more expensive than undergraduate course and the Marine Corps intends to maintain funding for both capabilities in FY12,” said Haney. Another reason for the TA changes is due to the fact that the budget for each FY has dropped more than $37 million since FY08, with FY11’s budget being only $28 million, said Haney. “On average, approximately 15 percent of all active-duty Marines participate in the TA program annually,” said Haney. “With the high operational tempo, the priority for all Marines – both officers and enlisted – is on learning their Marine Corps profession. Leaders, mentors, SEE TUITION 10A