Photo Information

A Marine from 2nd Marine Division explains to Miranda E. Moran and Kurt A. Schafer, two JROTC students from Naples High school, the capabilities of the Mark 19 automatic grenade launcher and other weapons. The Marines here are in support of Fleet Week Port Everglades 2010 to enhance the image of the military among the residents of southern Florida.

Photo by Pfc. Phillip Clark

2/8 Marines on display at Fleet Week Port Everglades

27 Apr 2010 | Pfc. Phillip Clark 2nd Marine Division

Marines from the 2nd Marine Division showcased their weapons and assets to visitors of the USS Iwo Jima on April 27, during the 20th anniversary of Fleet Week Port Everglades.

People from all over the region came to tour the ship and learn more about what Marines and sailors do on a daily basis.

“This is my first trip to a thing like this and so far it is tons of fun and I would like to come back next year,” said Miranda E. Moran, a JROTC student from Naples High School who was touring the ship and expressed interest in military service. “I really don’t want to join the Navy or Air Force because I’m afraid of heights and I want to spend more of my time on the ground.”

For U.S. Navy veteran Dennis Petretti, touring the ship and visiting the Marines’ static displays served as an opportunity to find out the differences between the equipment used today and that used during his days as an A4 attack pilot from 1965 to 1970.

“It’s always good to be around the guys and all the displays,” said Petretti.  “They really have come a long way from when I was in the service.  I really enjoy the small arms weaponry and the Marines definitely have it.”

More than 150 Marines and sailors from various units in the 2nd MarDiv left Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., aboard the Iwo Jima on April 24 and since April 26 have been hosting visitors from southern Florida aboard the ship.

“Fleet week is the Navy and Marine Corps team working together to enhance the image of the military,” said Capt. Junwei Sun, from Queens, N.Y., and commanding officer of Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.  “It takes a long time to put an event like this together and we’re happy Fox Company was tasked to be part of it.”

Reinforcing Sun and his Marines are elements from 2nd Tanks Battalion; 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion; 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion; and 5th Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment.


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