Sounds of training

I was so pleased to read the five letters of support for our nearby Camp Pendleton Marines. We live very near the back gate of the Base and off the Naval Weapons Station. I take great pride in telling out-of-area friends and family that Fallbrook is right up against the back of Camp Pendleton so they can locate us easily on the map.

When we hear the helicopters lift off at 4:00 in the morning, I always say a prayer for them, that God will keep them safe during their long day of training out over the desert. Those are the ones that I hear. You know the Base is fogged in when it takes a longer lift-off time for them to rise above the fog. And when they finally start coming back in at 4:00 p.m., I raise my face to them and say, “Welcome back, guy – happy landings.”

It is impossible for me to feel any other way about them. Mine is the generation that grew up singing all the words to all of the military anthems… “From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we will fight our country’s battles on the land and on the sea. We will fight for right and freedom and to keep our honor clean; we are proud to claim the title of the United States Marines.” And “Anchors aweigh, my boys…” and “Off we go, into the wild blue yonder; climbing high into the sky…” “Over hill, over dale, we shall hit the dusty trail.”

Keep ’em flying; keep ’em safe. Semper Fidelis – lest we forget.

Ann Harter