Update: This event is open to all Marines, not just ones who fought in the Battle of Fallujah.
A decade after the Battle of Fallujah, California-based Marines are holding a reunion and ceremony to honor those who were a part of one of the most significant fights in Iraq and some of the heaviest urban warfare in the Corps’ history.
Members of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, patrol Fallujah, Iraq, search for terrorists involved with attacks against coalition. Ten years after the battle, 1st Marine Division is hosting a ceremony to honor Marines who were killed and the units that served in Fallujah. (Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Madden III/Marine Corps)
Members of 1st Marine Division is will host the Nov. 7 event for veterans ranging from privates to general officers at Camp Pendleton, California. Now-retired Lt. Gen. Richard Natonski, the commander of 1st MARDIV during the battle, is attending.
By 2004, Fallujah had become a hotbed and stronghold of Iraqis loyal to Saddam Hussein and religious fundamentalists. It would become the bloodiest battle of the war, and was the first time that coalition forces would fight against non-government insurgents. Dozens of Marines were killed over the course of two separate campaigns in the city.
The reunion at Pendleton will include a luncheon, and Marine Corps officials are trying to get as many veterans of the battle to attend as possible. It will be held at 1st Marine Division Headquarters, Building 1133, across from the 11 Area Parade Field at Camp Pendleton, California. It starts at 10 a.m. on Nov. 7.
To attend, RSVP by Oct. 28 to to Margaret Williams at either 760-763-2808 or Margaret.williams2@usmc.mil.
5 Comments
I was not in the the battle I was in the battalion that was directly after 1/6 from camp Lejeune. But would like to attend.
Cheers on the heads-up only a month before. So now some asshole general who was at the FOB the wholetime is going to get his freakin cake and coffee, but the actual Marines that fought their probably wont be able to attend cause they just heard about this. Haze yourself
I was injured in Fallujah on 30 Jan 2004 and got medically retired. I would love to attend, but I live overseas(Guam). I am a corpsman attached to 3rd BN 8th Marines India Company.
This is definitely a blog that people need to get behind. The problem is, no one wants to do a great deal of reading and not have something else to stimulate the mind. This is the internet, after all. Maybe if you added a video or two to emphasize your point. Ill stick around, FOR SURE. But, I don’t know if others will.
I was in 2/1 Golf company 3rd platoon in Fallujah. I lost friends there. I would love to be at the Reunion but I can barely afford gas for my car. Best wishes and prayers to my brothers.