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Jason Nielsen - our man in Iraq

Ryan DeGraw contributed to this page

 

Update 5/21/09- see below

Update 3/21/09- see below

 

 

It is becoming more and more difficult to find individuals in this world dedicated to service.  As firefighters, our world is based on a dedication to service. Occasionally, we meet a person that puts even us in awe.  In February 2008, Jason Nielsen applied to be a member of the East Brunswick Independent Fire Company.  He is one of these people.  When Jason came to us, he was already a firefighter holding both Firefighter I and Firefighter II certificates and had recently moved in to town from Sayreville where he was a member of Sayreville FD.   Their loss was our gain.  Jason proved himself to be an active and eager firefighter.  In short order we discovered Jason was also a United States Marine.  He signed up with the U.S. Marine Corps while attending Carteret High School right after the events of 9/11/2001.  Following his 2002 Graduation, Jason went to boot camp followed by Infantry school and then several tours overseas, including two seven month deployments to Afghanistan.  Despite getting out of the Marines in 2006, Jason received Presidential Orders in June 2008 stating he was being involuntarily recalled.  On September 25, 2008, he was deployed to Ramadi, Iraq With the 2D Battalion 9th Marines where he remains today.

Since his deployment, several of our apparatus have begun to fly the flag of the US Marine Corps and even bear the marking of Jason’s Unit.  Our members have made donations to support our brother firefighter as well as his fellow troops.  We have even printed t-shirts showing our support.  We greatly anticipate the return of our brother firefighter to the states in March or early April and look forward to having him around the firehouse again.  We would like to extend a big "Thank You" to Jason and all of the troops serving and protecting our way of life.
 

 

 

"The 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (2/9) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Formed during World War I, the unit played an instrumental role in the defeat of the Japanese forces in the Battles of Guam and Iwo Jima during the World War II. The battalion distinguished itself in the defense of Khe Sanh during the Vietnam War, and later participated in an ill fated invasion of Koh Tang Island in Southeast Asia, with the intention of rescuing the crew of the SS Mayaguez. During Operation Desert Storm, the battalion served as the lead battalion for the III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF).

2/9 also participated in various humanitarian missions. The battalion helped evacuate Americans from Northern China during the Chinese Civil War and in various occasions participated in providing relief to the victims of typhoons. In 1992, the battalion participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia.

2nd Battalion 9th Marines served until September 2, 1994, when it was deactivated to make room for one of three light armor reconnaissance battalions. It was part of the 9th Marine Regiment and the 3rd Marine Division. On July 13, 2007, 2nd Battalion 9th Marines was re-activated again as part of the 6th Marine Regiment and replaced the Anti-Terrorism Battalion (ATBN)."
 

                                                                                                                                                                                         From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more on Jason, see:

East Brunswick Marine involuntarily recalled to active duty for 4th deployment

 

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Update, 3/21/09 - Received the following from Jason:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Update, 5/21/09 - Homecoming

Jason is back home from a fourth military tour and quickly adjusting back to civilian life in the States.  On April 10, as they were en route from the airport, Engine 806 met Jason and his party as they were exiting the NJ Turnpike and escorted them home.  On May 3, Jason was the main attraction at a surprise party thrown in his honor at Frey Hall at the Willow Street Station.  Celebrating his return were members of his family, relatives, friends and members of EBIFC.  We wish Jason great success in his future endeavors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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While on the topic of returning military personnel, I received this from a friend (yes, I have a few friends) in an email.  Very poignant.

Admin.

 

 

 

 

SEMPER FI

 

 

 

 

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