On Our Way...

Just a quick note to let you know that we're officially on our way home to you all. The Pack is extremely excited to see all the family, friends, and supporters that have followed us through our journey. We are happy to say that all are returning home healthy and strong. See you in a week! Semper Fidelis.

Cpl Johnny Lopez...

1. Who was the most influential person in your life?



-My mother.



2. Who is your best friend?



-I would have to say my family. They have always been there for me, during the good and bad.



3. Who is your idol?



-That would be my mother. I remember the way that she raised us and the hard time that she had. But, it did not matter, she always gave it 110%.



4. What's your ideal vacation?



-Spain during the winter.



5. What's your favorite food, car, band, actor/actress, etc.?



-I don't have a favorite food. I like everything and am always willing to try new things. Favorite SUV is a Lincoln Navigator. Band- I love salsa or anything that is Spanish, not that much reggeton. My favoirte state is New York. I love that place.

-Out of Lubbock Texas

-Being a Marine - to be part of the few that are willing to do things that normal men don't do. Looking for more in life, than the avg 9-5er. Most importantly wants to be a difference in the world.

-If I could change on thing, unrealisticly, it would have to be that every Marine would have a computer built into their racks, with a fast internet connection. Realistically - I honestly am going to make this world a better place, and that starts with me.

-My father by far has been the most inspirational man/person in my world. He demonstates what it means to make sacrifices, and shows unconditional love.

-Vacation - after reading in an FHM magazine that Brooke Burke has had the the best experince in Croatia, and since we're destined to be together, it's only fair that we're on the same page. Other than that, anything new and adventurous is always a good time.

-Fav's- sandwiches, Radiohead, Deathcab for Cutie, I love training, finishing races (triathlons especailly cause they kick my ass the most) reading at a coffee shop with a good book (even though it seems really feminine) having a good time with friends, taking drugs (I mean weightlifting supplements), but everyone calls me the drug dealer-go ADVOCARE, seeing fam, traveling and seeing new places, making sure I leave no urge untested at the end of my days. And Guinness!

-Big ups to my mother and the rest of the fam, love you guys.

1. What does it mean to be a Marine?

-Its a great personal accomplisment and gives me a sense of pride being part of the Marine Corps. It means I am a part of an orginization that makes history and makes a difference in the world.

2. One thing better in the world?

-End to conflict. It sounds odd for an infantryman to say that but it's an honest answer. Without conflict our world I think would be a better place. Don't overthink it though, I know and understand there are dictators and despots I'd just like to stop seeing young men, sometimes entire generations destroyed by grand politics and misguided policies.

3. Who was most influential in your life?

-My Father. He has been the person I have guided my life off of. I've looked at the examples he has set for me, his past and history and based my own choices off of that because I respect my father as a great role model.

4. Who is your best fried?

-I cannot choose just one best friend, life dictates who I spend my time with. Currently I'd have to pick Lcpl Scott Hueman. A fellow Seattleite and all around interesting person. He has made my time in the Marine Corps much more enjoyable.

5. Ideal Vacation?

-Backpacking more of the world.

Hi. My name is Ben Petterson. I am 22 years old and I'm from Wray, CO. But I was originally born in Kansas. I am really big into sports. I like to watch them almost as much as I like to play them. I started playing sports when I was 4 years old and didn't stop until I joined this motivated gun club. The dominant sport in my family is WRESTLING. But for the few months out of the year that we aren't wrestling, we are doing whatever the best sport is to get us in the best shape for the next wrestling season. In high school it was Football and Track. I also love music all kinds. I listen to almost everything. I also believe in living life to the fullest and treating everyday like it was your last. I have always thought: "Why try and run with the wind when you can out run it?" Most people call this crazy, I call it brilliant. When I get out of the Marine Corps, I plan on going to college so that I could be a teacher and coach Wrestling and Football. Last but not least, I would like to thank everybody for all the support you guys have given us throughout the past 5 months. It has meant so much to the boys and I. It has helped us more than you will ever know. I don't know how I will ever be able to repay all you guys back, but I guess I have to start some where so, THANKS.

Sincerely,

Benjamin Jay Petterson

1. Being a Marine is one of the greatest accomplishments that any one person can achieve. Someone once told me that being a Marine means that I get to do what everyone sees in movies on a daily basis. While I do not think that being a Marine is that intriguing all of the time, I do take pride in the fact that at any moment I can be called to save someone's life or make the world a safer place.

2. I have often thought about the standard "Miss America" question and the answer is just not that simple. World peace would be nice to make this planet a better place to live but that is not the solution. The world needs strong men and women who will stand up for what they believe in and what is right. Those kind of strong leaders also need to act on their beliefs and fight one moral and righteous battle at a time. We, as a society as a whole, need to start doing the right things because they are the right things to do, and then I think this world can be a better, safer and more peaceful place to exist.

3. My dad has been the most influential person in my life. He taught me so many things and always guided me with firmness and fairness. I, in turn, try everyday to lead my Marines the same way. If I could only accomplish half of what my dad has achieved, I will consider my life successful.

4. My best friend is my wife. We have known each other and been together for almost eight years. She knows all my faults and weaknesses and she still loves me as well as encourages me to become a better person, husband and father everyday.

5. My ideal vacation would be me with my family by ourselves on a huge boat doing nothing but fishing and sailing to exotic ports for a month.

6. My favorite car would have to be a 69' Camaro SS. I had the opportunity to acquire one years ago but didn't. Sometimes I still regret that. That car symbolizes so much for me. Power, speed with sleek lines and elegance.

I would just like to add a few personal comments to my friends an family. I want to thank all of you for your support over the years as my military career comes to an end. I know that sometimes it has been very difficult. Thank you all and I love you.

Curtis


**Platoon Commander's Note: Sgt Ross will be receiving a Navy Commendation Medal at a MEU formation to be held on 09 May 05. He is one of two Marines representing the battalion. Sgt Ross brings great credit to himself and, once again, shows that Third Platoon leads the way.

#1: Since I was a kid, the words "Marine" and "Marine Corps" always struck a cord in my mind. Maybe it was how my dad talked about my grandpa and his WWII experiences, the way people say "send in the Marines" when they face a seemingly insurmountable task, or maybe it was from watching too many war movies. What ever it was, I knew it was a sacred institution. It's hard not to notice former Marines driving by, honking and screaming "Semper Fi" at my neighbor's Marine Corps flag. It was as if these Marines had some piece of amazing super-secret knowledge that they were sworn to keep to themselves. To me, "Marine" means kicking A-- plain and simple. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?

#2: I hate to say it, but chaos is good for our profession. But in a fantasy world I would like to figure out a way to reduce the worlds population. I dont mean "Nuke the world," but in my eyes the vast majority of earth's problems stem from this one factor.

#3: Too many to name! I suppose my folks... I don't really think of that stuff as much these days being that I'm a senior citizen! At least here in the Marine Corps it feels that way.

#4: My Fiance Lisa Amundsen and my good ol' buddie Albert Torres!

#5: I have no Idol I can think of. I love little kids and dogs. Nothing
in the world can make me unwind like a dog. Other than getting married to Lisa, my one big goal is to have my own dog in a place where I can take good care of it.

#6: An Ideal vacation for me is a road trip. Something spontaneous. I'd be with my friends and we would be headed somewhere with a purpose. I enjoy things much better if I am striving to meet a goal. my greatest vacation was a road trip my friend Albee and I took. We had to drive all of his aunt's stuff across country in a BEATER old moving van. We had everything go wrong along the way. There were times I thought I wasnt going to survive, and more than once I thought I was going to have to kill albee. I'm sure he felt the same way. But looking back, it was a hell of an adventure, and we grew closer than ever. I'm not in to typical beach vacations, or cruise liner trips. A real vacation is one where you need another vacation when you're done.

#7: My favorite car(s)... this could go on forever. Any Mopar muscle car from 1968-70. also a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL. And I can forget my old favorite little 1986 Merkur XR4ti! My favorite band is Pink Floyd-Roger Waters. Very well crafted intelectual music, that is all too often looked at as stoner music. Any real fan of Floyd knows thats not what its about at all.

1. What does it mean to be a Marine?

-To be a warrior

2. If you could make one thing better in the world, what would it be?

-Everyone to be free

3. Who was the most influential person in your life?

-Sgt Z and Sgt Owens of 1/1 BLT Recon

4. Who is your best friend?

-Charlie Jones

5. Who is your idol?

-Kirk Heritch of the Bulls

6. What's your ideal vacation?

-A hole in the wall bar

7. What's your favorite singer?

-NAS

LCpl Shelby West...

The most influential person in my life is my high school football coach, Danny Abshier. He taught me a lot about life in general. He is a big part of why I am the way I am. I actually have two best freinds. Trent and Forrest Parker. I went to high school with them and spent most of my teenage life at their house. Trent just recently had a baby which he named after me. I don't really have an idol, but the person I try to emulate the most as a Marine is my squad leader, Sgt Barrett. He is the person I most look up to as a Marine. He always holds himself and his Marines to the highest standard. I have learned a lot from him. My ideal vacation would be in Hawaii geting married to the girl that I love, "The Girl Of My Dreams." I don't have a favorite food but I really love the Hooters Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. If I could get any car in the world it would be the Shelby Mustang from "Gone in 60 Seconds." I don't have a favorite band because I like so much different music. I listen to the music that fits my mood. My favorite actress is Kate Beckinsale. Being a Marine to me means being the best at what you do. If there was one thing that I could change in the world it would be the difficulty of relationships in the Marine Corps!!!!!!