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June 10, 2004
Family Day with the 6th ESB
Last Sunday, Janise, Connie, and I spent the day hanging out with a few good Marines during Family Day for the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th FSSG at Swan Island in Portland. We enjoyed lunch, connected with Marines and their families, and visited with dedicated volunteers from various support groups (Key Volunteers, Marine Corps Auxiliary, etc.) The Marines work hard and they also play hard – this day was a chance to unwind and share a bit of their lives with family and friends. We had a wonderful day and are appreciative of the hospitality shown by the 6th ESB. Here are a few pictures and Janice’s summary of the day’s events.
| The 6th ESB stands in formation as colors are presented during Family Day. |  |
 | Hungry Marines and their families line up for BBQ hamburgers and hotdogs. There was plenty of food and it was all good. |
| LCpl David Martin and his younger brother Mark. |  |
 | Many Marines are dog lovers and English bulldogs top the list of favorite breeds. The character traits of strength, perseverance, and tenacity are common to both Marines and their four-legged friends. |
| Connie and Deb selling sweatshirts and t-shirts as a fundraiser for troop support activities. |  |
 | A Young Marine playing with her baby sister. |
| Janise with her son, Lance Cpl. David Martin. |  |
Opening of Family Day with the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th FSSG at Swan Island, June 6, 2004 began at 10 am sharp, with a "Family Formation" The colors were posted and the new Presidential Unit Citation colors, awarded to this unit in support of the 1st Marine Unit, were added to the Unit Flag. The 6th ESB was recognized for providing instrumental support for the success of the 1st Marines for operations between March 13 and April 22, 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Captain Renaldi asked the Marines to remember their contributions they made in freeing a country from 30 years of tyranny as they wear the Unit Citation Ribbons on their uniforms.During the opening ceremony, awards were presented to 4 Marines for their outstanding contributions during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The families of fallen Marines from our local Portland/Washington area were recognized. These Marines and their families will never be forgotten - they are "our family". As the Sgt. Major read the names, there was a moment of silence.
* Captain Aaron Contreras, died March 30, 2003 in a helicopter crash in Iraq
* L Cpl Cedric Bruns, died May 9, 2003 in a vehicle collision in Kuwait.
* Cpl Travis Bradach-Nall, died July 2, 2003 from a land mine explosion in Iraq.
* Sgt. Curtis Jones, died April 4, 2004 of leukemia in Oregon
* L Cpl Bob Roberts, died May 17, 2004 due to hostile fire in Iraq.Before the unit command was turned over again to squad leaders, we were told that this unit stood just as thousands of others did this very day in 1944, doing the very thing they have been trained to do. He was referring to defending freedom on foreign soil,. Today marked the anniversary of D-day, when France was liberated from Nazi Germany, and over 1,000 US Marines lay down their lives. The opening remarks expressed sentiments and similarities in what was needed to keep freedom, and the highly skilled and trained men and women who carry out that duty. On Monday, nine US Marines from the 6th ESB left for Iraq to join others already redeployed from the unit to continue this quest. We wish them well and God's Blessings!
Posted by Deb at June 10, 2004 10:54 AM
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