CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Celebrating their 17th anniversary with a week-long series of events dubbed "Warrior Week", 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division will commemorates their short, yet proud history this week.
Their chronicle includes participation in Operation Just Cause from Aug. 15, 1989 to Feb. 14, 1990. Second LAR has also joined America's forces in Haiti, the Gulf War and more recently in Kosovo.
"This [LAV Marines] is such a small community that we really go to the extremes celebrating our birthday," said Sgt. Maj. Danny Smith from Charleston, S.C., and the battalion sergeant major. "Of all the units I've been with, this is where I've been the proudest."
Warrior Week includes a traditional cake-cutting ceremony, which many other units consider sufficient, and much more.
LAR Bn. Also plans Viking night, noncommissioned officer appreciation day, a field meet and a battalion picnic in their week-long celebration. During NCO appreciation day, the staff noncommissioned officers leave for a day of bowling while the NCOs run the battalion and man the higher-echelon jobs for the day.
In respect to LAV's only fallen comrade, the Isaak award is also presented to the battalion's best performing scout. Corporal Garreth C. Isaak was killed in the line of duty in 1989 while assigned to Marine Forces Panama as a scout squad leader, Company "D", 2d Light Armored Infantry Battalion, 2d Marine Division.
"During Warrior Week, we traditionally bring down the Isaak family and billet them in association with these events," said Smith. "This award symbolizes the battalion and is given to our best scout every year."
Isaak was also presented the Silver Star Medal posthumously during Operation Just Cause as he '...ensured that the objective was neutralized as he gallantly gave his own life in accomplishing the mission'.
As the "week" progresses from the Isaak award presentation, a battalion picnic will be held after the field meet on Friday. The picnic includes family members to further enhance the meaning of "the Marine Corps family."
"Some of these events, like the picnic, help families feel like they're more part of the Corps," said Cpl. Daniel L. Cook from Scottsdale, Ariz., Light Armored Vehicle mechanic.
"It brings Marines together and builds unit cohesion."