Monday, November 12, 2018

Episode 446 (11-12-18): For Veterans Day 2018 – The U.S. Marine Corps’ 243 Years on Seas, on Lands, and in the Air


Click to listen to episode (4:35).

Transcript of audio, notes on the audio, photos, and additional information follow below.

Except as otherwise noted, all Web addresses mentioned were functional as of 11-9-18.


TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO

From the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean, this is Virginia Water Radio for the week of November 12, 2018.

This week, in the latest of a series of annual episodes in honor of Veterans Day on November 11, we focus on the U.S. Marine Corps.  We start with audio excerpts from two Marine Corps videos: the first, from opening ceremonies for Marine Week in Detroit, Michigan, in September 2017; and the second, from an April 2012 interview in Quantico, Va., with Rosemary Woitowicz, whose son William was a Marine sergeant killed in Afghanistan in June 2011.

VOICES - ~50 sec – 1) excerpt from opening ceremony of Marine Week in Detroit, Michigan, September 6, 2017; 2) excerpt from an interview on April 28, 2012, with Rosemary Woitowicz, the mother of Sgt. William J. Woitowicz, during a ceremony in Quantico, Va., posthumously honoring Sgt. Woitowicz, who was killed in Afghanistan on June 7, 2011.

The Marine Corps began on November 10, 1775, formed by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress.  That Revolutionary War resolution called for raising two battalions of marines to accompany the first ships of the colonies’ navy, which the Continental Congress had established only a month earlier.  After the Revolutionary War, the new United States formally reestablished the U.S. Marine Corps in 1798.

Today over 180,000 active-duty Marines along with Reservists perform roles on land, in the air, and on the seas, ranging from combat to embassy security to humanitarian missions and disaster relief.  Marine facilities in Virginia include the Joint Marine and Army Base Myer-Henderson in Arlington; Marine Corps Base Quantico along the Potomac River and Quantico Creek in Prince William County; and the Marine Corps Air Facility at Quantico.

Thanks to Marine Corps veterans and current personnel everywhere for their service and sacrifices, past, present, and future.  We close with about 30 seconds of music, first from “The Marines Hymn,” and second from “Semper Fidelis,” the official march of the Marines, composed by John Phillip Sousa in 1888; both are played here by the U.S. Marine Band.

MUSIC - ~ 33 sec

SHIP’S BELL

Virginia Water Radio is produced by the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, part of Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment.  For more Virginia water sounds, music, or information, visit us online at virginiawaterradio.org, or call the Water Center at (540) 231-5624.  Thanks to Ben Cosgrove for his version of “Shenandoah” to open and close the show.  In Blacksburg, I’m Alan Raflo, thanking you for listening, and wishing you health, wisdom, and good water.

AUDIO NOTES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The opening comments were excerpted from the following two videos available through the Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System—Marines, online at https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/DMA-M:
*“Marine Week Opening Ceremony—Detroit,” September 6, 2017 (32 min./29 sec.), online at https://www.dvidshub.net/video/548611/marine-week-opening-ceremony-detroit; and
*“Silver Star—Sgt. William J. Woitowicz/Interview with mother Rosemary Woitowicz,” April 28, 2012, in Quantico, Va. (2 min./15 sec.), online at https://www.dvidshub.net/video/142843/silver-star-sgt-william-j-woitowicz-moms-interview.

“The Marines Hymn,” by the U.S. Marine Band, was accessed online at https://www.marineband.marines.mil/About/Library-and-Archives/The-Marines-Hymn/, 11/7/18.

“Semper Fidelis,” by the U.S. Marine Band, was accessed online at https://www.marineband.marines.mil/Audio-Resources/The-Complete-Marches-of-John-Philip-Sousa/Semper-Fidelis-March/, 11/9/18.

Click here if you’d like to hear the full version (2 min./22 sec.) of the “Shenandoah” arrangement/performance by Ben Cosgrove that opens and closes this episode.   More information about Mr. Cosgrove is available online at http://www.bencosgrove.com.

PHOTOS

A U.S. Marine ramp marshal guiding a landing craft into USS Iwo Jima at Trondheim, Norway, on November 9, 2018, as part of NATO exercises. Public domain photo by Marine Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale, accessed online at https://www.marines.mil/Photos.aspx?igphoto=2002061903, 11/12/18.


A U.S. Marine during Water Survival Training on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, November 7, 2018. Public domain photo by Marine Lance Cpl. Krysten Gomez, accessed online at https://www.marines.mil/Photos/igphoto/2002060951/, 11/12/18.


A U.S. Marine marksmanship instructor (center) during firearms training on Parris Island, S.C., June 6, 2018. Public domain photo by Marine Sgt. Dana Beesley, accessed online at https://www.marines.mil/Photos/igphoto/2001948140, 11/12/18.


A U.S. Marine aircraft mechanic performing maintenance on an F-35 Lightning II during exercises among the Marines, Air Force, and Navy at Camp Douglas in Wisconsin on August 13, 2018. Public domain photo by Marine Sgt. David Bickel, accessed online at https://www.marines.mil/Photos/igphoto/2001953986/, 11/12/18.

EXTRA FACTS ABOUT U.S. MARINE BASE QUANTICO IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA.

Excerpted from U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico, “History,” online at https://www.quantico.marines.mil/About/History/.

“[During the Revolutionary War], American, British, and French armies used nearby roads to quickly move from one battlefield to another. During the Civil War, Confederate cannons blockaded Union traffic on the Potomac from the banks of the Quantico area.  By the 1880s, the land Quantico resides on had been acquired by speculators, who would sell it to the Corps in 1917.

“The Commandant of the Marine Corps established Marine Barracks Quantico on May 14, 1917. Thousands would be trained in Quantico during World War I…. In 1920, Marine Corps Schools was founded….

“Prospects of a Pacific war in the 1920s showed a need for revolutionary new tactics and hardware. The techniques of amphibious warfare were conceived, and perfected, in Quantico.  Marines of the predecessor to today’s Marine Corps Systems Command designed the equipment, which ensured successful future amphibious operations.  Quantico aviators also developed close-air support tactics to aid Marines on the ground. …

“The tactical units which would carry out the new amphibious operations became the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) in 1935. …When the headquarters of the FMF left in 1941, Quantico’s main task became the education of individual Marines, rather than the large unit training it had conducted in the past. …

“In 1947, Quantico Marines conceived of carrying troops from ship-to-shore by helicopter and formed a special squadron to test the idea: Marine Helicopter Squadron-1, commonly referred to now as HMX-1. …More recently, Quantico played a large part in the development of vertical and/or short take-off and landing (or V/STOL) aircraft and amphibious assault ships.   Quantico’s small, but vital, air facility and HMX-1 continue to aid in development, training, and education, as well as their most visible duty, support of the U.S. president.

“On Jan. 1, 1968, the base was re-designated the Marine Corps Development and Education Command (MCDEC). … On Nov. 10, 1987, the Marine Corps transitioned the Development and Education Command into the Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC), cementing Quantico’s central role in developing concepts, plans, doctrine, training and equipment for the 21st-century Marine Corps….

“Marine Corps University was also established in 1989 to provide the structure and policy for professional military education Corps-wide. …

“The 1990s were a time of great growth for Quantico.  The Marine Corps Research, Development and Acquisition Command, the precursor to today’s Marine Corps Systems Command, began moving to Quantico in 1990.   A decade later, MCSC moved to its current location on historic Hospital Point.

“In 1995, the base became home to…the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.   The lab’s mission is to conduct experimentation in 21st-century warfare….

“…The Department of Defense established the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate in 1997 to provide the military with greater flexibility in dealing with the challenges of Military Operations Other Than War.

“…In 1998, Headquarters Marine Corps moved Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA) and Marine Corps Recruiting Command to Quantico from the Navy Annex in Arlington, Va.  M&RA has administrative responsibility for all issues related to Marines, their families, and quality of life. …

“With so many diverse yet intricately-woven units, it is appropriate that Quantico is called the Crossroads of the Marine Corps. …On Oct. 1, 2015, Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico was designated Marine Corps Installations Command-National Capital Region - Marine Corps Base Quantico (MCINCR-MCB Quantico).

“As of 2016, Quantico is home to over 28,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel.  MCB Quantico also has a large economic impact on the area, adding $4.9 billion to the local economy.  The base offers support to more than 30 federal agencies as well for training exercises year round. …”

SOURCES

Used for Audio

Collin Hoeferlin, “Marines in the Revolutionary War: Defending America Since Day One,” July 10, 2013, online at https://marineparents.com/marinecorps/revolutionary-war-marines.asp.

Council on Foreign Relations, “Demographics of the U.S. Military,” April 24, 2018, online at https://www.cfr.org/article/demographics-us-military.

Defense Visual Information Distribution System, “Media Advisory: MARSOC Marine receives Silver Star (posthumous),” 4/28/12, online at https://www.dvidshub.net/news/87675/media-advisory-marsoc-marine-receives-silver-star-posthumous.

Military.com, “Marine Corps History: The Early Years,” online at https://www.military.com/marine-corps-birthday/marine-corps-history-early-years.html.

Military Bases.com, “Military Bases in Virginia,” online at http://militarybases.com/virginia/.

U.S. Department of Defense, “Today’s Military/Marine Corps,” online at https://www.todaysmilitary.com/joining/marine-corps.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Veterans Day,” online at https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/.

U.S. Marine Band, main Web page at https://www.marineband.marines.mil/; “History of the Marines’ Hymn,” online at https://www.marineband.marines.mil/About/Library-and-Archives/The-Marines-Hymn/; and “Semper Fidelis,” online at https://www.marineband.marines.mil/Audio-Resources/The-Complete-Marches-of-John-Philip-Sousa/Semper-Fidelis-March/.

U.S. Marine Corps, main Web page at https://www.marines.mil/; “Marine Corps 101,” online (as PDF) at https://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Docs/MarineCorps101_2.pdf; “Marine Corps Embassy Security Group,” online at https://www.mcesg.marines.mil/; and “Who We Are: Mission of the Marine Corps,” online at https://www.marines.com/who-we-are/our-purpose.html.

U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico, online at https://www.quantico.marines.mil/.

U.S. Navy/Naval History and Heritage Command, “Origins of the U.S. Navy,” online at https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/heritage/origins-of-the-navy.html.

For More Information about Other U.S. Military Service Branches
U.S Air Force, online at https://www.airforce.com/.

U.S. Army, online at https://www.army.mil/.

U.S. Coast Guard, online at https://www.uscg.mil/.

U.S. Department of Defense/Historical Office, online at https://history.defense.gov/.

U.S. Navy, online at https://www.navy.mil/.

U.S. Navy, “Hampton Roads [Va.] Naval Museum,” online at http://www.history.navy.mil/museums/hrnm/index.html.

RELATED VIRGINIA WATER RADIO EPISODES

All Water Radio episodes are listed by category at the Index link above (http://www.virginiawaterradio.org/p/index.html).  See particularly the “Community/Organizations” subject category.

Following are links to previous Veterans Day episodes on U.S. branches of military service.
All five branches – Episode 187, 11/11/13.
Air Force – Episode 341, 11/7/16.
Army – Episode 394, 11/13/17.
Coast Guard – Episode 239, 11/10/14.
Navy – Episode 289, 11/9/15.

FOR VIRGINIA TEACHERS – RELATED STANDARDS OF LEARNING (SOLs) AND OTHER INFORMATION

2013 Music SOLs

SOLs at various grade levels that call for “examining the relationship of music to the other fine arts and other fields of knowledge.”

2010 Science SOLs

Grades K-6 Living Systems Theme
6.7 - natural processes and human interactions that affect watershed systems; Va. watersheds, water bodies, and wetlands; health and safety issues; and water monitoring.

Earth Science Course
ES.10 – ocean processes, interactions, and policies affecting coastal zones, including Chesapeake Bay.

2015 Social Studies SOLs

Grades K-6 Civics Theme
2.5 – why U.S. citizens celebrate major holidays, including Veterans Day.

Virginia Studies Course
VS.1 – impact of geographic features on people, places, and events in Virginia history.
VS.9 – how national events affected Virginia and its citizens.

United States History: 1865-to-Present Course
USII.8 – economic, social, and political transformation of the United States and the world after World War II, , including role of U.S. military.

World Geography Course
WG.2 - how selected physical and ecological processes shape the Earth’s surface, including how humans influence their environment and are influenced by it.

Virginia and United States History Course
VUS.13 – U.S. foreign policy since World War II, including the role of the military.

Government Course
GOVT. 12 – role of the United States in a changing world, including responsibilities of the national government for foreign policy and national security.

Virginia’s SOLs are available from the Virginia Department of Education, online at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/.

Following are links to Water Radio episodes (various topics) designed especially for certain K-12 grade levels.
Episode 250 (1-26-15) – on boiling, for kindergarten through 3rd grade.
Episode 255 (3-2-15) – on density, for 5th and 6th grade.
Episode 282 (9-21-15) – on living vs. non-living, for kindergarten.
Episode 309 (3-28-16) – on temperature regulation in animals, for kindergarten through 12th grade.
Episode 332 (9-12-16) – on dissolved gases, especially dissolved oxygen in aquatic habitats, for 5th grade.
Episode 403 (1-15-18) – on freezing and ice, for kindergarten through 3rd grade.
Episode 404 (1-22-18) – on ice on ponds and lakes, for 4th through 8th grade.
Episode 406 (2-5-18) – on ice on rivers, for middle school.
Episode 407 (2-12-19) – on snow chemistry and physics, for high school.