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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - The battles that make up Marine Corps
history reflect each individual Marine's dedication to their country
and their brothers and sisters-in-arms.
November 7, 2014,
active duty and retired service members, family members, and friends
gathered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, to
commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Battle of Fallujah and to
remember the men and women who fought there.
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Major Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the
commanding general of 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary
Force, and Lt. Gen. Richard F. Natonski (Ret.), the commanding
general of 1st MARDIV during the Battle of Fallujah, place a wreath
to honor the fallen during the battle's 10 year anniversary
commemoration ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.,
Nov. 7, 2014. Natonski, who was also the guest speaker for the
ceremony, said that the conflict taught Marines the importance of
planning and precision.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel)
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Major Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the commanding general
of 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force,
thanked everyone for their presence at the ceremony and
recognized the historical significance of the battle.
“10 years ago today, we faced a very daunting challenge;
we took on what would become one of the iconic battles of
our corps,” said Nicholson.
Nicholson described
Marines' approach to history and tradition almost as a
religious passion.
“From Belleau Wood to
Guadalcanal, the Pacific campaign, Tarawa, Iwo Jima,
Okinawa, Chosin Reservoir, Hue City, Khe Sanh, we know them
all,” said Nicholson. “Every Marine knows those battles, and
I think we all understand today that Fallujah will join the
ranks of those most esteemed and iconic battles.”
Lieutenant Gen. Richard F. Natonski (Ret.), the former
commanding general of 1st MARDIV, I MEF who led the division
during the battle in 2004, agreed that the Battle of
Fallujah will, and maybe has already, become a landmark of
Marine Corps History.
“I remember a few years ago
walking the grounds of the National Museum of the Marine
Corps,” said Natonski. “As I got closer to the chapel, the
last battle that was etched in the stone of that sidewalk
was Fallujah.”
The challenges facing the Marines of
that battle included the radical ideals and methods of their
adversaries.
“We faced an enemy who wanted nothing
more than to kill Americans,” said Natonski. “There were
instances in the city of insurgents being shot repeatedly
and still coming at Marines because they were so doped up.”
However, the close quarters of the city itself also
presented a problem, one that was overcome by the precision
munitions used during the battle.
“The fact that you
can drop a building with Marines right across the street is
unheard of,” said Natonski. “We wanted to limit collateral
damage to the greatest extent we could in the city because
we knew the people were coming back.”
Natonski added
that approximately $1 billion was budgeted for the
reconstruction of Fallujah after the battle. He also
explained that the damage provided a measuring stick for how
the city was healing.
“Wherever I've been, whether
it's been places like Sarajevo or Mogadishu, you know
progress is being made when they start putting glass back in
the windows,” said Natonski. “In 2006, there was glass in
the windows, the markets were open, and the reconstruction
had begun.”
Natonski explained that the victory at
Fallujah was only possible because of the remarkable service
members who fought there.
“These kids are truly
national treasures,” said Natonski. “We are lucky as a
nation that we have young men and young women willing to don
the uniform of our armed forces and to go in harm's way.”
As proven throughout history and during the Battle of
Fallujah, the Marines of I MEF remain America's
Expeditionary Force in Readiness. They are organized,
trained, and equipped to respond to any crisis, anytime,
anywhere.
By U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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