Village Rotary families visit Camp Pendleton

CAMP PENDLETON — Last week, members of the Fallbrook Village Rotary and their families arrived at the Headquarters of the 7th Marine Engineering Battalion. They were met by Captain James F. Stafford, Battalion S-3 Officer, and Master Sgt. Ransford Davis, who first took the group to witness two of their men “navigating” a physical training course.

Prior to the duo mastering the course, the group had the honor of witnessing the ceremony of a Marine who reenlisted for four years. After the ceremony, the two young Marines navigated the physical training course at record speed and then moved on to the pull-up bars. They did the required 20 Marine pull-ups.

One Rotarian’s son, Preston Beye, showed his prowess as he did a number of pull-ups. Members said it was obvious that the Marine Recruiting Detail would soon be visiting the Beye household!

From the physical training course, the group proceeded to the area where the 7th displayed some of the equipment they use while in combat. On display were a bridge-building boat; an articulated loader, one of the most important pieces of equipment in the engineers’ arsenal; an armored amphibian rubber-tired bulldozer; a motor grader equipped with a laser scraper blade guidance system; a seven-ton MK truck; a “Mobot Display” complete with Mobot; a bridge-laying truck; a water purification system; two different types of hospital generators; and, last but not least, a “Bulk Fuel” dispensing display.

Each item was explained in great detail by the equipment’s operators, including the Mobot, which was put through its paces. And just in case any members of the group missed the explanations, the operators had prepared a printed description of each piece of equipment.

After the demonstration, the group adjourned to the Officers Club for lunch. Special guests included visiting Rotarian Bob Franz of the Fallbrook Rotary (Monday) Club; Paul Leehey’s three children; Mary Kohl’s daughter; Nick Beye’s three children; Chuck White’s wife, Jean; and Keith Battle’s guests, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Young.