Afghans, Marines complete Golestan bazaar project

April 23, 2009
Story by 1st Lt. Stewart M. Coles


GOLESTAN, Farah Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Afghan officials and civil affairs Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan completed a project to improve the drainage system for the district center bazaar in Golestan, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, April 3, 2009.

The project, one of several for the district, was the result of a request from area leaders because the bazaar did not have an adequate drainage system. Standing water would collect in the roadway, causing unsanitary conditions and hazards for drivers.

The $14,000 project employed 50 Afghan civilians, giving them an alternative to going to nearby districts to harvest poppy.
"There are not a lot of jobs, and sometimes people go down the wrong route," said Qasim Khan, the district sub-governor, as translated by an interpreter.

With the improved conditions, the locals can drive through the bazaar without their vehicles getting stuck in puddles left behind from rainfall.

The new drainage system is expected to bring increased commerce to the bazaar from outlying villages in the district.

"The people are happy that you are here and that you are focused on the bazaar because it is the center of the community," said Khan to the Marines.

Future projects already in the works for the district include: the distribution of 85 tons of wheat, the donation of live chickens, passing out material assistance items, installing a local radio station in the city and adding solar-powered street lamps and public restrooms in the bazaar. Each of these initiatives is based on Afghan needs.

SPMAGTF-A and International Security Assistance Force assist the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with providing security and services for the Afghan people.

Veterans adopt 1,200 Marines in southern Afghanistan

April 17, 2009
Story by: Lance Cpl. Monty Burton

DELARAM, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – “Once a Marine, always a Marine” is a phrase often heard around the Marine Corps, but several dedicated Marine veterans, coined “The Moss Creek Marines,” have taken the phrase to a new level.

The Moss Creek Marines are a group of 35 veteran Marines and Navy corpsmen, and Marine spouses and parents from eras ranging from WWII to the Gulf War, one of whom saw both flags raised on Iwo Jima in World War II. The group focuses on “adopting” and showing its appreciation to Marine units deployed to combat zones.

Not forgetting their roots, the Moss Creek Marines adopted the 1,200 Marines and sailors of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. The South Carolina-based organization sent 3/8 a total of 87 care packages, worth several thousand dollars, that included eight Xbox 360 videogame consoles, telephone calling cards, toiletries, candy and snacks, DVDs and letters from children with whom the Moss Creek Marines have interacted in the past months.

The Moss Creek Marines have previously adopted 12 other units in Iraq, but 3/8 is the first unit the organization has adopted in Afghanistan.

Lt. j.g. Jason DiPinto, the 3/8 chaplain, said the care packages are much appreciated and will be of great use not only to the Marines currently deployed, but also the Marines who will soon replace 3/8.

“The care packages are great because the Marines are in extremely difficult situations, and with the packages and gaming systems, it gives the Marines an opportunity to release some of the stress that is often acquired while in a combat zone,” said DiPinto.

The battalion’s plan is to distribute the packages among the austere forward-operating bases and combat outposts located in southern Afghanistan.

The Marines are excited about the Xbox 360 gaming consoles.
“It’s always good for the morale of the Marines to have some form of entertainment in a combat zone,” said Cpl. Michael Shupack, an assistant security chief with Battery D, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, whose detachment of Marines are also benefiting from the donated items. “It’s hard for us to personally thank those who have supported us, but it goes unspoken. We definitely appreciate everything they have done for us.”

DiPinto said the deployed Marines and sailors appreciate the patriotism and thoughtfulness of the veteran Marine organization.

“It is an honor to be able to walk on the path that these veterans have paved for us,” Dipinto said. “Their contribution means more to us than words can describe. They have gone above and beyond their call of duty to ensure the Marines and sailors who are deployed have all they need to carry on the legacy of our forefathers.”

Alan Calderon, the commanding officer of the Moss Creek Marines, himself a veteran of the Vietnam War, explained in his own words why his organization feels it is important to support deployed Marines.

“On behalf of all of us in the Moss Creek Marines, thank you for all that you do to maintain our freedom,” Calderon said. “We all know that freedom is not free. God bless America and God bless the Marine Corps.”

Cobb County Marine serves proudly in Afghanistan

Date written: April 20, 2009
Story by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones

GOLESTAN, Farah Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Lance Cpl. Dustin C. Spicer wanted to call it quits while attending South Cobb High School from 2004-2007. He figured he would work for his father selling automobiles and eventually take over his father’s business. As he looks back, he’s glad to have been persuaded to do otherwise.

“When I started high school, I really didn’t have any goals at all,” said Spicer. “I hated school and wanted to get out. I really didn’t care. I thought I was going to end up working with my dad and take over the family business anyway. Then I met a few teachers who turned my whole perspective around.”

During his first combat tour, he’s found himself in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, surrounded by barren, mountainous terrain. Far from home, he thinks about the people who have influenced him most, leading him to where he is today.

Now the 21-year-old Cobb County, Ga., native is a Marine Corps infantryman with second platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. He’s focused and ready for the mission.

SPMAGTF-A’s mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations in support of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and train and mentor the Afghan National Police.

Henley Sawicki, his biology teacher; Andrew Cole, his U.S. history teacher; Helen Lane, his math teacher; and Jamison Warner, a science department teacher; all of South Cobb High School, took a part in shaping his future, he said.

“They taught me a lot about life, just by taking the time to sit down and talk to me,” said Spicer.

The lessons his teachers taught him have left a lasting impression on him, and he’s carried what he learned from them over to the Marine Corps.

“My teachers showed me I could do better,” said Spicer. “They proved to me that if I actually tried, I could do not only what I needed to pass but actually do better than just pass and that I have great potential.”

Spicer believes the best advice his teachers ever gave him was to set goals and not give into failure or laziness until he achieved them. And once he had accomplished those goals, he should set even higher ones and keep the stride going.

His teachers also taught their hot-tempered student how to re-channel his aggression when he got easily upset, Spicer said.

They taught him to stop and calmly think things through, while setting his feelings aside, a skill all Marines must develop.

Learning to set his differences with others aside and remaining professional are important when it comes to completing the mission, he said.

“There are some people that will (make you mad), but out here they’re your family and you still have their backs,” said Spicer. “You may not like someone, but something might happen to them and you have to be there for them no matter what.”

As a kid, Spicer remembers his mother taking him to bingo nights at a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post where he met veterans and heard their stories, which led him to thinking of joining the military when he was old enough.

“I never thought that I would actually do it though,” said Spicer.

Later on in life, one of Spicer’s best friends, Cody Evans, who also attended South Cobb High School a grade ahead of Spicer, joined the Marine Corps.

“We were just alike in high school,” said Spicer. “We didn’t care about anything. We just wanted to get by.”

After returning home from recruit training, Evens told Spicer what the Marine Corps had done for him. Intrigued by what Evans told him, Spicer contemplated the idea of enlisting once again.

Thanks to the teachers’ confidence in Spicer, he stuck it out and graduated in May 2007.

Though he has a lot of special memories from high school, it was when he walked across the stage and received his diploma that he reserves as his proudest moment.

“That was the first time my dad ever said he was proud of me,” said Spicer. “It kind of made it a big deal.”

Shortly after graduating, Spicer enlisted into the Marine Corps.

“My family is very proud of me,” Spicer said. “My mom doesn’t like that I’m over here right now, but she couldn’t be more proud of me.”

Spicer is unsure whether he will make a career of the Marine Corps, but he says he would like to use the Montgomery G.I. Bill to attend the University of Georgia, where he would earn a degree in business management.

Spicer still hopes to own and run a business back home. He is just taking a bit of different route to get there than he had originally planned.