Artillerymen keep the traditions of St. Barbara alive

[thedrifter]

Saint Barbara's Day: Artillerymen keep the traditions of St. Barbara alive
Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification Number: 200412321916
Story by Lance Cpl. Rich Mattingly



MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii(January 17, 2004) -- January 17, the Lanai Room of the Officers' Club aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, played host to the annual St. Barbara's Day celebration. Enlisted service members, officers, distinguished guests, and their families, gathered for a night of spirited entertainment and serious commemoration of the patron saint of artillery.

After refreshments and dinner, Col. Scott Campbell, 12th Marine Regimental commander, 3rd Marine Division - who flew from Okinawa, Japan, for the event, - thanked attendees for participating and introduced the night's entertainment.

Guests were treated to an irreverent and hilarious take on the "Dating Game" by the lieutenants of 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment. Poking fun at themselves and their seniors, the lieutenants set the tone for the evening of celebration for the artillerymen.

After a sidesplitting show, it was time for the serious task of preparing the "Artillery Punch." Overseeing the preparation was "Master of the Punch," Master Sgt. Garland D. Woodward, battalion field artillery chief. Unit noncommissioned officers' in charge added items to the punch such as the "blood of the American eagle" to represent the blood shed by artillerymen, past and present, and the "bile of a leprechaun" for luck.

Lieutenant Col. Patrick Redmon was honored to drink of this year's first swig of the artillery punch, and all guests toasted both artillery - known as the "King of Battle" - and those units that support it.

Saint Barbara was the beautiful daughter of a wealthy man named Dioscorus in the 4th century, in what is now present-day Turkey. Dioscorus locked Barbara in a tower before embarking on a long journey. Subsequently, she learned about Christianity while imprisoned, then converted. Barbara ordered the towers' twin windows changed to three, representing the Trinity.

When he returned, Dioscorus - enraged by his daughter's conversion - dragged Barbara behind a horse to the top of a mountain where he beheaded her. He was struck dead at the moment of her death by a lightning bolt.

In the 7th century, the Catholic Church venerated Barbara, and she became the "Patron Saint of Protection" from sudden death - something known all too well to the artillerymen of old, who mixed combustible black powder and nitrate. Over time, Barbara became known as the artillery battlefield protector.

Usually celebrated on Dec. 4, the feast day of St. Barbara is a time to honor the components of artillery and its support elements.

"Tonight we honor the memory of St. Barbara and her sacrifice for her beliefs," said 1st Sgt. Jamie Deets, Headquarters Battery first sergeant, 1/12, speaking to the assembly.

The evening's ceremonies took a more formal turn with the presentation of the "Order of Saint Barbara" to those Marines who had demonstrated long-term excellence and achievement in service to a field artillery command, and the presentation of the "Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher." The Order of Molly Pitcher celebrates the role of women in support of field artillery. The courageous Molly Pitcher heroically supported artillerymen at the Battle of Monmouth during the Revolutionary War.

Both orders are very prestigious, and nominees may only be approved by a colonel or above.

After the final awards were presented, Deets humorously recalled the legend of "Fiddler's Green," a sacred spot in Heaven reserved just for the "red legs" of the artillery. According to folklore, artillerymen never go to hell because they run out of artillery punch halfway there, and then must return to Fiddler's Green. After raucous laughter, the assembly then adjourned for socializing and congratulations.

For more information on St. Barbara's Day, visit the U.S. Field Artillery Association's Web page at www.usfaa.com.U.S.




Lieutenant Col. Patrick Redmon, commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, takes a drink of the field artillery punch as the "Master of the Punch," Master Sgt. Garland D. Woodard, the field artillery chief for 1/12, looks on, during St. Barbara's Day festivities. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Rich Mattingly

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...7?opendocument

Sempers,

Roger