CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --
In the wake of the
recent, tragic loss of their brothers, the Marines of Mike Battery, 3rd Battalion,
14th Marine Regiment are back in business. They have found strength in each
other and have harnessed the drive to continue their work, inspired by the need
to return to their home ground and carry on, not only in honor of their fallen
brothers, but for the Marine Corps mission.
“It’s a victory for the
guys to get back in the facility. They wanted to come back. This is their home, and they wanted to make
sure everyone knows it is their home,” said Capt. Chris Cotton, inspector
instructor of Mike Battery. “It wasn’t an option of whether or not we would come
back, it was when they would let us come back.”
The Marines have shown
they are eager not only to return home and come back to work, but additionally
to direct all of their efforts to bringing the battery back up to speed and
ready for any challenges to come.
“It was essential that we
get back in here and that we get back to what we need to do. We are part of the
nation’s force in readiness and we need to make sure our Marines are trained
and continue to prepare for combat,” said Cotton.
According to PFC Aaron
Noyes, a supply specialist with Mike Battery, the Marines are picking up where
they left off and are back to the daily grind of a Marine artillery battery.
“We are mourning our
losses but at the same time we are pushing forward to honor the guys we lost,”
said Noyes. “Every day I am back here, my mind set is trying to do the best I can
to make sure these guys didn’t lose their lives for nothing.”
Gunnery Sgt. Matthew
Doll, communications chief of Mike Battery, said the Marines are coming
together as a team to accomplish all these tasks; they are making sure
everything is ready to go in case they need to deploy or are called to fight.
“Everyone is helping
out, they are filling those billets they don’t normally fill and continuing
where they left off,” said Doll. “We are all working together and pushing
forward.”
Battery M not only has
leadership who has stepped up during this challenging time but the junior Marines
have gone above and beyond to help the battery return to its mission.
“The junior Marines’ individual
actions and the courage they’re displaying to get back in here and own their
facility, that’s what is amazing,” said Cotton. “It is the individual actions
by our young devil dogs; those are the guys that are making it happen right
now.”
The Marines are not
only ready to fight because of personal efforts but they are appreciative to
the Chattanooga community for their continual support through this time.
“For the overwhelming
support from the city of Chattanooga and the nation we want to say thank you,”
said Cotton. “It helps knowing other Marines, prior Marines, other service
members and the community members support us.”
With the support from
the community and each other, the Mike Battery Marines are pushing forward with
their mission in mind. They exhibit the warrior spirit of our Corps; the unique
drive and bond that Marines have with each other and with those who have fallen.
They are part of a force in readiness who strives to fight for their Corps and
their comrades in arms. No matter the situation, they will accomplish the
mission.