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Marines

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Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos Jr., the outgoing 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit sergeant major, says goodbye to 24th MEU Marines and sailors March 14, 2014, after his relief and appointment ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Gallegos' next assignment is sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He was relieved by Sgt. Maj. Lanette N. Wright, who will be the first female MEU sergeant major.

Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos Jr., the outgoing 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit sergeant major, says goodbye to 24th MEU Marines and sailors March 14, 2014, after his relief and appointment ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Gallegos' next assignment is sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He was relieved by Sgt. Maj. Lanette N. Wright, who will be the first female MEU sergeant major.

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos Jr., center, the outgoing 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit sergeant major, salutes the colors March 14, 2014, during his relief and appointment ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Gallegos' next assignment is sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He was relieved by Sgt. Maj. Lanette N. Wright, who will be the first female MEU sergeant major.

Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos Jr., center, the outgoing 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit sergeant major, salutes the colors March 14, 2014, during his relief and appointment ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Gallegos' next assignment is sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He was relieved by Sgt. Maj. Lanette N. Wright, who will be the first female MEU sergeant major.

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos Jr., right, the outgoing 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit sergeant major, passes a non-commissioned officer's sword to Col. Scott F. Benedict, the commanding officer of the 24th MEU during Gallegos' relief and appointment ceremony March 14, 2014, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Gallegos' next assignment is sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He was relieved by Sgt. Maj. Lanette N. Wright, who will be the first female MEU sergeant major.

Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos Jr., right, the outgoing 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit sergeant major, passes a non-commissioned officer's sword to Col. Scott F. Benedict, the commanding officer of the 24th MEU during Gallegos' relief and appointment ceremony March 14, 2014, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Gallegos' next assignment is sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He was relieved by Sgt. Maj. Lanette N. Wright, who will be the first female MEU sergeant major.

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit complete a trip from the 24th MEU command building to the Beirut Memorial aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 23, 2013. The runners took turns carrying a flag ran in honor of a specific fallen Beirut veteran. The majority of the Marines and Sailors killed in the bombing were assigned to the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, later designated the 24th MEU.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit complete a trip from the 24th MEU command building to the Beirut Memorial aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 23, 2013. The runners took turns carrying a flag ran in honor of a specific fallen Beirut veteran. The majority of the Marines and Sailors killed in the bombing were assigned to the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, later designated the 24th MEU.

Photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace

Lt. Col. Aaron Adams, acting commanding officer, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, presents a plaque to Beirut bombing survivors, Tony Sutton and John Dalziel, at the 24th MEU command building on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 23. Dalziel and Sutton received the plaque in remembrance of the 241 Marines, Sailors and soldiers killed in the Beirut bombing 30 years ago. The majority of the Marines and Sailors killed in the bombing were assigned to the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, later designated the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Lt. Col. Aaron Adams, acting commanding officer, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, presents a plaque to Beirut bombing survivors, Tony Sutton and John Dalziel, at the 24th MEU command building on Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 23. Dalziel and Sutton received the plaque in remembrance of the 241 Marines, Sailors and soldiers killed in the Beirut bombing 30 years ago. The majority of the Marines and Sailors killed in the bombing were assigned to the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, later designated the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace

Marines and Sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit pose for a photo with Beirut bombing survivors, Tony Sutton and John Dalziel, outside of the 24th MEU command building aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 23, 2013. The 24th MEU ran in honor of the Marines, Sailors and soldiers who lost their lives during the bombing 30 years ago.

Marines and Sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit pose for a photo with Beirut bombing survivors, Tony Sutton and John Dalziel, outside of the 24th MEU command building aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 23, 2013. The 24th MEU ran in honor of the Marines, Sailors and soldiers who lost their lives during the bombing 30 years ago.

Photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace

Marines and Sailors with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit pose with Tim Sutton, a survivor of the Beirut Bombing, outside of the 24th MEU command building aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 23, 2013. The group photographed ran in honor of the Marines from the state of Massachusetts, who lost their life during the bombing 30 years ago.

Marines and Sailors with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit pose with Tim Sutton, a survivor of the Beirut Bombing, outside of the 24th MEU command building aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 23, 2013. The group photographed ran in honor of the Marines from the state of Massachusetts, who lost their life during the bombing 30 years ago.

Photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace

Lance Cpl. Walter Shearer, an administrative specialist with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, shakes the hand of Tim Sutton, a survivor of the Beirut bombing, outside of the unit’s headquarters building Oct. 23, 2013. Shearer, a New Bern, N.C. native, ran in honor of Cpl. Sean Gallagher of North Andover, Mass., who was one of the 241 Marines, Sailors and soldiers who lost their life during the bombing 30 years ago.

Lance Cpl. Walter Shearer, an administrative specialist with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, shakes the hand of Tim Sutton, a survivor of the Beirut bombing, outside of the unit’s headquarters building Oct. 23, 2013. Shearer, a New Bern, N.C. native, ran in honor of Cpl. Sean Gallagher of North Andover, Mass., who was one of the 241 Marines, Sailors and soldiers who lost their life during the bombing 30 years ago.

Photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace

The Marines and Sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit ran in honor of the 241 Marines, Sailors and soldiers killed in the Beirut bombing 30 years ago, Oct. 23, 2013. The event began at 6 a.m., the approximate time of the bombing. The runners took turns carrying a flag ran in honor of a specific fallen Beirut veteran. The flag flown during the run will be presented to a Marine survivor from the bombing during a ceremony scheduled today. The majority of the Marines and Sailors killed in the bombing were assigned to the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, later designated the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. They were part of the command element and the ground combat element, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

The Marines and Sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit ran in honor of the 241 Marines, Sailors and soldiers killed in the Beirut bombing 30 years ago, Oct. 23, 2013. The event began at 6 a.m., the approximate time of the bombing. The runners took turns carrying a flag ran in honor of a specific fallen Beirut veteran. The flag flown during the run will be presented to a Marine survivor from the bombing during a ceremony scheduled today. The majority of the Marines and Sailors killed in the bombing were assigned to the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, later designated the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. They were part of the command element and the ground combat element, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III

Col. Frank Donovan, the former commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks during a Navy and Marine Corps Medal awards ceremony June 3, 2013, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The medals were awarded to the Marines for heroic actions while deployed with the 24th MEU in 2012. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Col. Frank Donovan, the former commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks during a Navy and Marine Corps Medal awards ceremony June 3, 2013, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The medals were awarded to the Marines for heroic actions while deployed with the 24th MEU in 2012. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Col. Frank Donovan, the former commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, presents a Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Cpl. Steve R. Hanson, team leader, Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, during an awards ceremony June 3, 2013, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Hanson was one of five Marines awarded for actions during the ceremony while deployed with the 24th MEU in 2012. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Col. Frank Donovan, the former commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, presents a Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Cpl. Steve R. Hanson, team leader, Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, during an awards ceremony June 3, 2013, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Hanson was one of five Marines awarded for actions during the ceremony while deployed with the 24th MEU in 2012. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Col. Frank Donovan, the former commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, pins a Navy and Marine Corps Medal on a Marine during an awards ceremony June 3, 2013, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The medals were awarded to the Marines for heroic actions while deployed with the 24th MEU in 2012. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Col. Frank Donovan, the former commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, pins a Navy and Marine Corps Medal on a Marine during an awards ceremony June 3, 2013, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The medals were awarded to the Marines for heroic actions while deployed with the 24th MEU in 2012. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Col. Frank Donovan, the former commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, presents a Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Cpl. Steve R. Hanson, team leader, Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, during an awards ceremony June 3, 2013, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Hanson was one of five Marines awarded for actions during the ceremony while deployed with the 24th MEU in 2012. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Col. Frank Donovan, the former commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, presents a Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Cpl. Steve R. Hanson, team leader, Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, during an awards ceremony June 3, 2013, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Hanson was one of five Marines awarded for actions during the ceremony while deployed with the 24th MEU in 2012. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The medal may be awarded to service members who distinguish themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy while serving in any capacity within the Navy or Marine Corps.

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The medal may be awarded to service members who distinguish themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy while serving in any capacity within the Navy or Marine Corps.

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Five Marines receive Navy and Marine Corps Medals for heroism during an awards ceremony June 3, 2013, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. for actions taken during the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's 2012 deployment. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Five Marines receive Navy and Marine Corps Medals for heroism during an awards ceremony June 3, 2013, at Camp Lejeune, N.C. for actions taken during the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's 2012 deployment. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Col. Frank Donovan passes the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit battle colors to Col. Scott F. Benedict, the incoming commanding officer for the 24th MEU, during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 21, 2013. Col. Benedict is responsible for leading the unit through its next training cycle and deployment scheduled for 2014. (Official USMC Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim/Released)

Col. Frank Donovan passes the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit battle colors to Col. Scott F. Benedict, the incoming commanding officer for the 24th MEU, during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 21, 2013. Col. Benedict is responsible for leading the unit through its next training cycle and deployment scheduled for 2014. (Official USMC Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Col. Frank Donovan passes the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit battle colors to Col. Scott F. Benedict, the incoming commanding officer for the 24th MEU, during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 21, 2013. Col. Benedict is responsible for leading the unit through its next training cycle and deployment scheduled for 2014. (Official USMC Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim/Released)

Col. Frank Donovan passes the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit battle colors to Col. Scott F. Benedict, the incoming commanding officer for the 24th MEU, during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 21, 2013. Col. Benedict is responsible for leading the unit through its next training cycle and deployment scheduled for 2014. (Official USMC Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Col. Frank Donovan, the outgoing commanding officer for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to family and friends during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 21, 2013. Col. Scott F. Benedict has assumed command of the 24th MEU and is responsible for leading the unit through its next training cycle and deployment scheduled for 2014. (Official USMC Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim/Released)

Col. Frank Donovan, the outgoing commanding officer for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to family and friends during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 21, 2013. Col. Scott F. Benedict has assumed command of the 24th MEU and is responsible for leading the unit through its next training cycle and deployment scheduled for 2014. (Official USMC Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Col. Frank Donovan, the outgoing commanding officer for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to family and friends during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 21, 2013. Col. Scott F. Benedict has assumed command of the 24th MEU and is responsible for leading the unit through its next training cycle and deployment scheduled for 2014. (Official USMC Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim/Released)

Col. Frank Donovan, the outgoing commanding officer for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to family and friends during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 21, 2013. Col. Scott F. Benedict has assumed command of the 24th MEU and is responsible for leading the unit through its next training cycle and deployment scheduled for 2014. (Official USMC Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Col. Scott F. Benedict, the incoming commanding officer for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to family and friends during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 21, 2013. Col. Benedict assumed command of the 24th MEU from Col. Frank Donovan and is responsible for leading the unit through its next training cycle and deployment scheduled for 2014. (Official USMC Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim/Released)

Col. Scott F. Benedict, the incoming commanding officer for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to family and friends during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 21, 2013. Col. Benedict assumed command of the 24th MEU from Col. Frank Donovan and is responsible for leading the unit through its next training cycle and deployment scheduled for 2014. (Official USMC Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim