Nearly half a century has passed since the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment fought through hell in Vietnam. The strains of combat have long imprisoned the vigor of their youth. Bodies have changed and reflexes slowed. Fresh, young faces of earlier days are ripe with weathered character. The men have lived a lifetime beyond war, but their memories remain vivid. On Aug. 22, 2012, approximately 30 Vietnam-era 2/3 Marines and their families visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii to reminisce on their service and render honor to a brother lost in combat, Sgt. Maj. Wayne Hayes. Pictured from left are: retired Gunnery Sgt. Ken Arnold, a platoon sergeant with Golf Company, 2/3, and Cuthbert, Ga., native; former Cpl. John Davila, a team leader with Fox Co., 2/3, and Ridgewood, N.J., native; former Staff Sgt. Don Watts, a platoon sergeant with Fox Co., 2/3, and Cloverdale, Calif., native; and Sgt. Bill Vizzerra, a rifleman with Golf Co., 2/3, and Palmer, Ak., native. Both Davila and Vizzerra were wounded in action. - Nearly half a century has passed since the Marines of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment fought through hell in Vietnam. The strains of combat have long imprisoned the vigor of their youth. Bodies have changed and reflexes slowed. Fresh, young faces of earlier days are ripe with weathered character. The men have lived a lifetime beyond war, but their memories remain vivid. On Aug. 22, 2012, approximately 30 Vietnam-era 2/3 Marines and their families visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii to reminisce on their service and render honor to a brother lost in combat, Sgt. Maj. Wayne Hayes. Pictured from left are: retired Gunnery Sgt. Ken Arnold, a platoon sergeant with Golf Company, 2/3, and Cuthbert, Ga., native; former Cpl. John Davila, a team leader with Fox Co., 2/3, and Ridgewood, N.J., native; former Staff Sgt. Don Watts, a platoon sergeant with Fox Co., 2/3, and Cloverdale, Calif., native; and Sgt. Bill Vizzerra, a rifleman with Golf Co., 2/3, and Palmer, Ak., native. Both Davila and Vizzerra were wounded in action.

Col. James E. Reilly, chief of staff, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, congratulates Maj. Cliff Mrkvicka, aircraft maintenance officer, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24, on his graduation from the Hawaii Satellite Campus of the College of Distance Education and Training’s Command and Staff College Distance Education Program at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii theater, May 19, 2011. Mrkvicka was one of 55 service members who graduated from either the CSCDEP or the CDET’s Expeditionary Warfare School. Formerly known as the College of Continuing Education, the CDET offers a distance education alternative for the completion of requisite professional military education for the approximately 80 percent of officers who don’t have the opportunity to attend resident schools, Cos Spofford, regional chief instructor, CSCDEP, said. - Col. James E. Reilly, chief of staff, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, congratulates Maj. Cliff Mrkvicka, aircraft maintenance officer, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24, on his graduation from the Hawaii Satellite Campus of the College of Distance Education and Training’s Command and Staff College Distance Education Program at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii theater, May 19, 2011. Mrkvicka was one of 55 service members who graduated from either the CSCDEP or the CDET’s Expeditionary Warfare School. Formerly known as the College of Continuing Education, the CDET offers a distance education alternative for the completion of requisite professional military education for the approximately 80 percent of officers who don’t have the opportunity to attend resident schools, Cos Spofford, regional chief instructor, CSCDEP, said.

Cpl. Raymond P. Weeks, an intelligence specialist with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, was selected as the National Military Intelligence Association’s Col. Donald G. Cook Award recipient, April 20, 2011. The award recognizes Weeks for his intelligence support to India Company, 3/3, during a 2010 deployment to Afghanistan’s Helmand province in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 21-year-old from Miami will be presented the award at the NMIA Awards Banquet in McLean, Va., May 15. - Cpl. Raymond P. Weeks, an intelligence specialist with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, was selected as the National Military Intelligence Association’s Col. Donald G. Cook Award recipient, April 20, 2011. The award recognizes Weeks for his intelligence support to India Company, 3/3, during a 2010 deployment to Afghanistan’s Helmand province in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 21-year-old from Miami will be presented the award at the NMIA Awards Banquet in McLean, Va., May 15.

From running down dirt roads as a youth in rural Oregon to finding success as one of 20 members of the All-Marine Running Team, Staff Sgt. Tyler Hubbard, the substance abuse and control officer for Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, has built a passion for the sport bordering on fixation. “The simplicity of being out there in nature and running allows you to forget about whatever problems you have going on,” Hubbard said. “When you’re running, you’re just looking for the next turn and focusing on the moment. Everything else kind of fades into the background.” - From running down dirt roads as a youth in rural Oregon to finding success as one of 20 members of the All-Marine Running Team, Staff Sgt. Tyler Hubbard, the substance abuse and control officer for Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, has built a passion for the sport bordering on fixation. “The simplicity of being out there in nature and running allows you to forget about whatever problems you have going on,” Hubbard said. “When you’re running, you’re just looking for the next turn and focusing on the moment. Everything else kind of fades into the background.”

Marking the culmination of 30 years of service and his time on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sgt. Maj. James W. Sutton, outgoing base sergeant major, passed the Marine noncommissioned officer sword to incoming Sgt. Maj. Robert E. Eriksson in a post and relief and retirement ceremony at Dewey Square on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 8, 2011. “The opportunity to serve on active duty, for any Marine, is a finite amount of time, whether its four years or 30 years,” Sutton said. “You take care of your Marines, accomplish the mission and do your job to the best of your ability through the opportunities you have. When it’s time to step aside, you turn it over to your Marines and sailors with the faith and confidence that they’ll continue in the fine traditions the Marine Corps has upheld for 235 years.” - Marking the culmination of 30 years of service and his time on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sgt. Maj. James W. Sutton, outgoing base sergeant major, passed the Marine noncommissioned officer sword to incoming Sgt. Maj. Robert E. Eriksson in a post and relief and retirement ceremony at Dewey Square on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 8, 2011. “The opportunity to serve on active duty, for any Marine, is a finite amount of time, whether its four years or 30 years,” Sutton said. “You take care of your Marines, accomplish the mission and do your job to the best of your ability through the opportunities you have. When it’s time to step aside, you turn it over to your Marines and sailors with the faith and confidence that they’ll continue in the fine traditions the Marine Corps has upheld for 235 years.”

Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Jenkins, a hospital corpsman and leading petty officer of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Battalion Aid Station was selected as the 2010 Sailor of the Year for U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Feb. 25, 2011. Prior to this selection, the White Cloud, Mich., native was recognized as Sailor of the Year for 1/3; 3rd Marine Regiment; 3rd Marine Division and III Marine Expeditionary Force. On March 26, Jenkins will compete against more of his peers to earn honors as Sailor of the Year for U.S. Pacific Fleet. - Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Jenkins, a hospital corpsman and leading petty officer of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Battalion Aid Station was selected as the 2010 Sailor of the Year for U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Feb. 25, 2011. Prior to this selection, the White Cloud, Mich., native was recognized as Sailor of the Year for 1/3; 3rd Marine Regiment; 3rd Marine Division and III Marine Expeditionary Force. On March 26, Jenkins will compete against more of his peers to earn honors as Sailor of the Year for U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Lt. Gen. Duane Thiessen, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, poses with U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye after cutting the ribbon at the new Supporting Arms Virtual Trainer building on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Nov. 5, 2010. According to the Marine Corps Systems Command, the SAVT is a device used to train joint terminal attack controllers, forward air controllers, and forward observers in the placement of tactical ordnance for close air support, naval surface fires and surface fires. The trainer will be used to support initial schoolhouse requirements and annual currency requirements. During his visit, Inouye, a former captain with the U.S. Army’s decorated 442nd Regimental Combat Team, also shared his experiences with officers at the Officer’s Club here. - Lt. Gen. Duane Thiessen, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, poses with U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye after cutting the ribbon at the new Supporting Arms Virtual Trainer building on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Nov. 5, 2010. According to the Marine Corps Systems Command, the SAVT is a device used to train joint terminal attack controllers, forward air controllers, and forward observers in the placement of tactical ordnance for close air support, naval surface fires and surface fires. The trainer will be used to support initial schoolhouse requirements and annual currency requirements. During his visit, Inouye, a former captain with the U.S. Army’s decorated 442nd Regimental Combat Team, also shared his experiences with officers at the Officer’s Club here.