20110824-N-DR248-025 - 20110824-N-DR248-025

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan-1st Lt. John McJunkin, the Regional Command Southwest operation and maintenance Marine Corps budget officer, and a native of Houston, enlisted into the Marine Corps less than a year after September 11, 2001. McJunkin was a student at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas, on 9/11. “That was when I said ‘okay, I’m going to pick up arms,” McJunkin said. “I’m going to protect our freedom of religion that is provided in America. I’m not going to allow extremism through Islamic jihad to grow and affect our way of life. It’s just not going to happen on my watch.’” - CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan-1st Lt. John McJunkin, the Regional Command Southwest operation and maintenance Marine Corps budget officer, and a native of Houston, enlisted into the Marine Corps less than a year after September 11, 2001. McJunkin was a student at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas, on 9/11. “That was when I said ‘okay, I’m going to pick up arms,” McJunkin said. “I’m going to protect our freedom of religion that is provided in America. I’m not going to allow extremism through Islamic jihad to grow and affect our way of life. It’s just not going to happen on my watch.’”

110726-N-SY711-003 LASHKAR GAH, Helmand province July 26 2011) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Kossi Noameshie poses before a mission to the Afghan Civil Order Police compound, Lashkar Gah, July 26. Noameshie often attends to the medical needs of the local Afghan population as well as training the Afghan medics for the ANCOP. (Official U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matt Snodgrass/Released) - 110726-N-SY711-003 LASHKAR GAH, Helmand province July 26 2011) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Kossi Noameshie poses before a mission to the Afghan Civil Order Police compound, Lashkar Gah, July 26. Noameshie often attends to the medical needs of the local Afghan population as well as training the Afghan medics for the ANCOP. (Official U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matt Snodgrass/Released)

Lt. Asif Balbale, the battalion chaplain for Assault Amphibian School Battalion based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., delivers a sermon during an Eid ul-Fitr ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Aug. 30. Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the month of Ramadan, was observed during a ceremony that included prayer and a sermon led by Balbale. - Lt. Asif Balbale, the battalion chaplain for Assault Amphibian School Battalion based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., delivers a sermon during an Eid ul-Fitr ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Aug. 30. Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the month of Ramadan, was observed during a ceremony that included prayer and a sermon led by Balbale.

Afghan's await food being distributed by Afghan National Army soldiers outside of Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Aug. 27. - Afghan's await food being distributed by Afghan National Army soldiers outside of Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Aug. 27.

Staff Sgt. William A. Genochio, operations chief at Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest and native of Independence, Mo., helps an Afghan interpretter during a workout session, Aug. 25. - Staff Sgt. William A. Genochio, operations chief at Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest and native of Independence, Mo., helps an Afghan interpretter during a workout session, Aug. 25.