Lima Co. 3rd BN 1st Marines
“I am not alone.”
April 5-8, 2019 - Waco, TX
From Friday April 5th to Monday April 8th the Marines, sailors, and Gold Star Families of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion 1st Marines executed a reunion aboard the beautiful Olson Ranch, just outside Waco, TX. The unit was also joined by Patrick O’Donnell, who authored the book We Were One, after being embedded with the unit during their deployment in 2004. The unit held a memorial service on Saturday afternoon to honor their fallen brothers in arms while also celebrating their victories on the battlefield in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004. Throughout the weekend, approximately 50 members of the unit had the opportunity to reconnect, while participating in activities that reignite the warrior spirit and renew their sense of purpose, including spending Sunday afternoon at the Waco Skeet & Trap Club. The members of the unit also executed a service project at the Waco Center for Youth. Although it was a day of pouring rain and thunder, it didn't faze them one bit and their commitment to service and community left an everlasting impact on the members of the camp in attendance.
Feedback From The Troops
What was your favorite aspect of the reunion experience?
"It was like we were right back in the same place 15 years ago. Sharing stories. Talking about our current situations. Time didn't interfere with our bond and we definitely needed this reunion to embrace one another again. Looking forward to future reunions and reconnecting with those that were unable to attend. It put life's purpose back into those who were lost. And gave direction to those who struggle on a daily basis. Extremely honored to have participated in this event. WRF did an awesome job and I would not change anything one bit. Semper Fidelis!"
"I reconnected with my first Section Leader in the unit. I hadn't spoken with him in almost 15 years. This man had a lot to do with the type of Marine/person I had become. Once reconnected, we discovered that we live within 30 minutes of each other. For 15 years, we hadn't spoken and probably passed each other on the highway a hundred times. In the early days of my transition, I could have used his leadership and guidance on how to navigate the civilian world but never bridged the effort to connect with Marines like him, thus creating a personal divide not even overcome by simple geography. Because of the work done by Warrior Reunion Foundation, I now have plans to reconnect on a monthly basis. My future will surely benefit from having my Marine Corps leadership in my life. I am eternally grateful."
"Being able to connect with our brothers, laugh, joke around and remember the fallen brothers we have lost in war and in America due to suicide. Thank you for allowing me to feel this way, I’m forever grateful ! Semper Fi!"
