Kane'ohe Marines itching to get to Iraq
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
KANE'OHE — There are two types of Marines, Gen. Michael W. Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps, told Marines and sailors here yesterday.
Gen. Michael W. Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps, told Marines in Kane'ohe that it's "a particularly good time to be a Marine," and that their presence in the Pacific is intimidating to those tempted to "step across the line."
"Those who are over in the Gulf right now," he said, "and those who wish they were over in the Gulf right now."
Three thousand voices roared in agreement.
Hagee, accompanied by Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Alford L. McMichael, delivered his motivational talk to the troops after a flag-raising ceremony yesterday morning at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i. The base was also acknowledged for receiving an award from the Marine Corps Center for Safety Excellence.
Hagee said the role of Marines in Hawai'i is to "secure responsiveness in the Asia-Pacific region," and assured them that their presence here was an important part of the Marines' role in world affairs.
He spoke proudly of the rapid deployment and successes of the 35,000 Marines in the Gulf region, and also of Marines helping to train their contemporaries in the Republic of Georgia, and of still others deployed to the Horn of Africa and to South America.
Combined with those in the Asia-Pacific region, Hagee said, the Marines provide an intimidating presence to those who might be tempted to "step across the line."
"There has never been a bad time to be a Marine, Hagee said. "But this is a particularly good time to be a Marine."
He said technical advancements since he led a platoon in Vietnam have helped to streamline fighting in wars, but that the bulk of what needs to be done and what can be accomplished continues to rest with individual Marines.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
"We will still have fog, friction, confusion and chaos on the battlefield," Hagee said. "Yes, we have smarter weapons, but today's Marines are better educated and highly motivated, and that is what has allowed us — with a much smaller force than 12 years ago — to go all the way to Baghdad and to take Baghdad."
Said Hagee: "Yes, we have smarter weapons, but today's Marines are better educated and highly motivated, and that is what has allowed us — with a much smaller force than 12 years ago — to go all the way to Baghdad and to take Baghdad."
Sgt. Justin Stephenson, who stood behind the bleachers with a camouflage-clad bulldog named Dano O'Blarney, said he enjoyed Hagee's speech.
Asked whether he agreed that every Marine would want to be in Iraq now, he responded affirmatively and said he spoke for his wife, the other Sgt. Stephenson, as well.
"My wife is active duty, too," he said. "We only fight about which of us will get to go first."
Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.
