Eventful Year for New York Marines

[thedrifter]

Eventful Year for New York Marines
Submitted by: New York Public Affairs
Story Identification Number: 200419141713
Story by Gunnery Sgt. Tim McGough



NEW YORK(January 9, 2004) -- Looking back at 2003, the Marine Corps in New York City has seen a lot happen. Units from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut started the year with activation orders to support Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

Before the Marines who remained stateside knew what was happening, Fleet Week was upon the city and the streets were filled with Sailors and Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C. Four cooks from Camp Lejeune won a sweet treat at the Best Chow Competition on the Intrepid Air Space and Sea Museum. The devil dogs competed against 15 teams from around the globe and took the Best Dessert trophy.

Fleet Week passed in the wink of an eye and the city moved on as it has for hundreds of years. New York's Bravest celebrated July Fourth in a different manor. They took a girder from the World Trade Center and presented it to the Marines at Camp Lejeune. The event was dubbed Leather Helmets for Leathernecks.

Summer moved along and witnessed Marines slowly returning from Iraq. The tennis world descended on Flushing Meadows' Arthur Ashe stadium for the US Open. New York Marines started every night of the open with a color guard, and they unfurled a giant American flag during the opening and closing nights.

As the New York Yankees inched closer to the World Series they took time out to recognize disabled American veterans Cpl. Hector Delgado and Lance Cpl. Ian Lennon at DAV Day at the stadium.

Before a Marine could run a physical fitness test the summer was over and fall descended on the big apple. The thoughts of the city turned to the tragic day in September. The Quantico band performed at Carnegie Hall for the 2nd Annual 9/11 Memorial Concert.

Soon the Yankees were in the World Series and New York Marines couldn't have been happier. They got a chance to unfurl a giant national ensign in the "House That Ruth Built," Yankee Stadium.

For Marines around the world autumn means the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Every year, New York City celebrates the Marine Corps Birthday in style. This year the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, helped celebrate during the Intrepid United States Marine Corps Birthday Gala to support the Fisher House Foundation.

After ball season, the Marine Corps Reserve turned its attention to Toys For Tots. Marines from the greater New York area collected thousands and thousands of toys to make sure the city's needy kids got a toy at Christmas. They made rounds collecting toys even through the first blizzard of the season.

2003 ended in New York with the ball dropping at Times Square. Thousands of people braved the cold of a New York winter. Once again the city praised her Armed Forces. Members from each service joined New York's Mayor, The Honorable Michael Bloomberg, as the ball dropped to end another year in the greatest city in the world.

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



Marines from 6th Communication Battalion, Brooklyn, N.Y., unfurl a giant American flag on center court during the opening ceremony at the 2003 U.S. Open. The crowd greeted them with a deafening cheer. Photo by: Gunnery Sgt. Tim McGough


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