Hagee: Marines are changing history

[USMCRET6391]

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan (June 30, 2006) -- Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael W. Hagee recently visited Okinawa and addressed Marines and sailors as part of a series of briefs on Marine Corps duty and honor.

The purpose of the visit was to reinforce the ideals, values and standards of the Marine Corps and focus on the core values that distinguish Marines in their daily actions.

Hagee engaged more than 6,000 service members June 22-23 during seven briefs, aboard six Marine Corps installations in Okinawa.

"You're making a difference and the American people are very proud of you." Hagee said. "The humanitarian assistance you provided in places like Indonesia and the Philippines is changing history. You're going to different countries and showing what the Corps is made of - nothing sells the Marine Corps better than Marines performing magnificently."

He added that the one thing that sets Marines apart from everyone else is the way they strive to live up to the core values of honor, courage and commitment. The commandant challenged all present to continue that pursuit everyday on and off the battlefield.

"How do you balance those three core values with what we have to do on the battlefield?" Hagee asked. "We have a guide: the Geneva Convention."
Hagee also reflected on his personal concern over the recent allegations of Marines in combat.

"We can't rush to judgment," Hagee said. "If we find individuals haven't followed the rules and regulations, we will hold them accountable, like the Marine Corps has been doing for 230 years."

Lance Cpl. Brandon J. Ledet, a legal services specialist with the Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Staff Judge Advocate Office, felt Hagee's words left a strong impression with the junior Marines and sailors.

"I think it really shows how the Corps is a family," he said. "When the commandant takes time to speak to junior Marines on a personal level, I feel like I'm a part of something great."

[Sir_Krahn]

I didn't really realize how much humanitarian jobs the Marine Corps really did untill I started reading Leatherneck magazine. Honestly I didn't know what a Marine did besides fight untill then. I am proud of anything a Marine does for the right reasons.

[Panzerman]

Yep, we also go and pick up bodies/body parts in countries the world over. Sort of a humanitarian/janitorial service.