The Deuce

5/1/05

2005-05-01T20:49:00.000+04:30

Friends and Family,

Once again, the Deuce has changed bases and is on our own! After linking up with Lima Company in Jalalabad a couple of weeks ago, our platoon got orders to re-locate to a small base. We're about 80 km east of Jalalabad and about 2 km west of the Pakistan border. Right now, we're working with the Army and doing missions near the Pakistan border. It will be an exciting and eventful way to end our deployment to Afghanistan.

As a heads-up, we are still receiving mail sent to our original address. Luckily, it has managed to find its way to wherever we have ended up. As of about a week ago, mail will no longer be sent to us since our deployment is coming to an end. All mail sent after the stoppage will be in Hawaii when we return. Speaking of our return, 3/3 is still scheduled to be home in the middle of June (probably closer to the third week of the month).

I'll try to keep updates coming and even some pictures if I am able. Take care.

Semper Fi,
2ndLt Luke Lazzo

4/13/05

2005-04-14T00:42:00.000+04:30

Friends and Family,

The Deuce is changing bases within the next week. We will be moving to Jalalabad and re-joining Lima Company. Many of the Marines are looking forward to seeing old friends and working with them for the remainder of the deployment.

It has been great working with Weapons Company and our time in the Khowst Province hasn't gone unnoticed. The Deuce (and Weapons Company in general) has made a huge impact on the local nationals, as well as the local security forces. Over the last five months, we have been able to exploit over a hundred weapons caches and detain several key "bad guys." It is especially important to note that we did it through peaceful operations. This shows the hard work and dedication your Marines put forth everyday for making Afghanistan a better and safer place to live.

As a reminder, the Deuce should be returning to KBay in mid-June. However, the dates are still uncertain and nothing is ever guaranteed. Post-deployment leave will follow shortly after we're back.

Unfortunately, this may be the last post on the website. It will be the last post with pictures. The base in Jalalabad, from what I hear, does not have many computers or phones. This means your Marines might not be able to communicate as frequently. Please keep this in mind if you don't hear from your Marine as frequently as you did before. Sorry for the inconvienence.

Please take care. Semper Fidelis.
2ndLt Luke Lazzo

2005-04-14T00:36:00.000+04:30

LCpl Tesh.

2005-04-14T00:35:00.000+04:30

Formation.

2005-04-14T00:34:00.001+04:30

Lt Lazzo at formation.

2005-04-14T00:34:00.000+04:30

SSgt Corn at formation.

2005-04-14T00:32:00.000+04:30

LCpl Gasperetti's Promotion.

2005-04-14T00:31:00.000+04:30

LCpl Guzman's Promotion

2005-04-14T00:30:00.000+04:30

LCpl Jackson's Promotion

3/30/05

2005-03-30T22:52:00.000+04:30

Friends and Family,

It's been a long time since the website has been updated. Sorry about that. I hope these pictures make up for it.

We have been doing a lot of patrolling lately. Additionally, our platoon conducted two MEDCAPS. MEDCAPS are when we escort some of the battalion's extra corpsmen and some doctors to the field with us and they treat people that are in need of medical help for the better part of a day. It is a chance for us to help quite a few people in a short amount of time. It is very rewarding. The picture of the kids was actually taken at one.

I mention ANP in one of the picture captions. ANP stands for Afghanistan National Police. We occasionally do joint patrols with some of the ANP. They will be some of the guys taking over security when coaltion forces finally leave the country. They need a lot of work but are willing to learn as much as they can. They all get excited when they see us coming in our vehicles because they enjoy working with your Marines quite a bit. Overall, the Marines have a great relationship with the ANP.

During some of our downtime between operations, Weapons Company had another fun day. This time, we added a casino night. Some of the Marines in the company made card tables in their spare time and even made an impromptu craps table. It provided us with a good opportunity to unwind.

Please take care. We are doing fine and taking care of each other here. Hope everyone had a good Easter.

Semper Fidelis,
2ndLt Luke Lazzo

2005-03-30T22:50:00.000+04:30

Back from an Op

2005-03-30T22:48:00.000+04:30

Working with the ANP

2005-03-30T22:46:00.000+04:30

Kids

2005-03-30T22:45:00.000+04:30

Meeting

2005-03-30T22:43:00.000+04:30

LCpl Merrell

2005-03-30T22:41:00.001+04:30

LCpl Serpa

2005-03-30T22:41:00.000+04:30

Corn and Lazzo

2005-03-30T22:39:00.000+04:30

Some of the Guys

2005-03-30T22:37:00.000+04:30

Vehicle Patrol

March 13, 2005

2005-03-13T20:12:00.000+04:30

Friends and Family,

Three of our Marines were recently promoted (Corporals Patterson and Shikar; Lance Corporal Tesh). Also, I'm sure most of you have heard, we have been scheduled to rotate back to Hawaii in June. There is always a possibility of an extension but right now we're on schedule.

With half of March already over, the temperature here is heating up rather quickly. Luckily, our tents on base have air conditioning. Our operations continue to run smoothly and we are consistently winning over the people of Afghanistan. Over the last month alone, several weapons caches have been turned over to our company. We also had a very successful company operation recently (check out www.usmc.mil and click on the Operation Enduring Freedom link, then click on the article about 3/3 in Khowst).

I hope you enjoy the pictures. We have back-to-back operations scheduled shortly and will be gone most of week. Take care and aloha.

Semper Fidelis,
2ndLt Luke Lazzo

2005-03-13T20:11:00.001+04:30

On patrol

2005-03-13T20:11:00.000+04:30

LCpl Popowicz

2005-03-13T20:09:00.000+04:30

Terp and LCpl Serpa

2005-03-13T20:08:00.000+04:30

LCpl Weiss

2005-03-13T20:07:00.000+04:30

Sparkman and Corn

2005-03-13T19:59:00.000+04:30

LCpl Tesh's

2005-03-13T19:57:00.000+04:30

Cpl Shikar's Promotion

2005-03-13T19:55:00.000+04:30

Cpl Patterson's Promotion

2005-02-24T18:11:00.000+04:30

Terryah, Mondano, Merrell, Weiss

2005-02-24T18:09:00.001+04:30

Patterson, Tetzlaff, Ortiz, Fraser

2005-02-24T18:09:00.000+04:30

Vargas, Serpa, Cox

2005-02-24T18:08:00.000+04:30

Johnson, Moulaison, Jackson, Willett

2005-02-24T18:05:00.000+04:30

Guzman, Rickard, Popowicz

2005-02-24T18:04:00.000+04:30

Hubert, Moran, Ziegler, Dellapenta

2005-02-24T18:03:00.000+04:30

Nielsen, Maldonado, Shikar, Edwards

2/24/05

2005-02-24T18:02:00.002+04:30

Friends and Family,

These pictures are all the fire teams in our platoon. Hope you enjoy them. We're headed out on an operation that will last several days. Take care. We'll be back before you know it.

Semper Fidelis,
2ndLt Luke Lazzo

2005-02-24T18:02:00.001+04:30

Tesh, Adams, Globis

2005-02-24T18:02:00.000+04:30

Jablonski, Vance, Gasperetti, Neale

2005-02-24T17:58:00.000+04:30

Yanez, Barton, Sparkman

2005-02-24T17:57:00.000+04:30

Lazzo and Corn

2/21/05

2005-02-21T07:16:00.000+04:30

Friends and Family,

Here are some new pictures for all of you. I'll try to update more frequently and get everyone's Marine some face time.

Second Platoon is doing a great job. We have been here a little over three months and time is going by pretty quickly. We have been staying busy with operations lasting from 1 to 5 days each. Fortunately, every Marine utilizes the downtime between missions to relax, lift weights, play volleyball or do lots of other stuff available on base.

The weather has been cold and wet the last few weeks, but it is starting to change. It has been drying up the last few days and when the sun is out, it is somewhat warm. Spring is here and the days are longer now. Soon, it will start warming up and we'll be wishing it was colder.

Semper Fidelis,
2ndLt Lazzo

2005-02-21T07:12:00.000+04:30

Guzman, Johnson, Gasperetti

2005-02-21T07:11:00.000+04:30

LCpl Patterson

2005-02-21T07:10:00.000+04:30

LCpl Weiss

2005-02-21T07:09:00.000+04:30

Cpl Dellapenta

2005-02-21T07:08:00.001+04:30

SSgt Corn

2005-02-21T07:08:00.000+04:30

LCpl Hubert

2005-02-21T07:07:00.001+04:30

LCpl Moran

2005-02-21T07:07:00.000+04:30

Command Vehicle

2005-02-09T09:32:00.001+04:30

Cpl Adams' promotion.

2005-02-09T09:32:00.000+04:30

LCpl Jablonski

2005-02-09T09:31:00.000+04:30

PFC Gasperetti

2005-02-09T09:30:00.000+04:30

Sgt Yanez

2/1/05

2005-02-01T01:55:00.000+04:30

Friends and Family,

Before leaving on our last operation, we watched and heard of the tragic helicopter crash in Iraq. Upon our return, we learned the names and the unit of those fallen Marines and Sailor. Many members of Second Platoon knew one or more of those Marines and Sailor. We held a memorial service today to remember those fallen Brothers-in-Arms and all of the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

It continues to be an honor to work for and fight with the heros you know as brothers, sons, husbands, fathers and friends.

Semper fidelis,
2ndLt Lazzo

2005-02-01T01:27:00.000+04:30

Memorial Service.

2005-02-01T01:26:00.000+04:30

Memorial Service.

2005-02-01T01:25:00.000+04:30

Memorial Service.

2005-02-01T01:24:00.000+04:30

Memorial Service.

2005-02-01T01:23:00.000+04:30

Memorial Service.

2005-02-01T01:22:00.000+04:30

Memorial Service.

2005-01-25T22:35:00.000+04:30

LCpl Vance.

2005-01-25T22:27:00.000+04:30

Squad leaders and SSgt Corn.

2005-01-25T22:26:00.000+04:30

EOD insert.

2005-01-25T22:25:00.000+04:30

Weapons cache Marines.

2005-01-25T22:24:00.000+04:30

LCpl Shikar at weapons cache.

2005-01-25T22:23:00.000+04:30

LCpl Ortiz and LCpl Weiss

2005-01-25T22:22:00.000+04:30

LCpl Tetzlaff at weapons cache.

1/12/05

2005-01-12T16:11:00.000+04:30

Friends and Family,

We're back from another successful mission. Hope you enjoy the new pictures.

2ndLt Lazzo

2005-01-12T16:10:00.000+04:30

The reason we're in Afghanistan.

2005-01-12T16:08:00.001+04:30

LCpl Tetzlaff

2005-01-12T16:08:00.000+04:30

PFC Ziegler

2005-01-12T16:07:00.001+04:30

LCpl Nielsen

2005-01-12T16:07:00.000+04:30

LCpl Neale

2005-01-12T16:06:00.000+04:30

LCpl Moulaison and LCpl Willett

2005-01-12T16:05:00.000+04:30

LCpl Maldonado

2005-01-12T16:04:00.000+04:30

PFC Guzman and Cpl Johnson

2005-01-12T16:03:00.000+04:30

LCpl Edwards

2005-01-12T16:01:00.000+04:30

LCpl Adams

2005-01-12T16:00:00.000+04:30

Lt Lazzo's bike ride.

1/8/05

2005-01-08T09:01:00.000+04:30

Everyone,

We have had the last couple days off. It was relaxing and gave us some time to catch up on whatever we needed to catch up on. I posted only a couple of new pictures. Don't worry. I gave my camera to LCpl Rickard and he promises to take lots of pictures.

Regarding the new pictures, look at the different environments we are in. The picture with SSgt Corn came after Doc's picture. As you can see, the environment in which we operate depends a lot on the elevation we are at.

We'll be back from this next operation before you know it. Take care.

Semper Fidelis,
2ndLt Lazzo

2005-01-08T09:00:00.000+04:30

SSgt at a rocket site.

2005-01-08T08:59:00.000+04:30

Doc Fraser in the mountains.

1/2/05

2005-01-02T10:39:00.000+04:30

Happy New Year!

This year is off to a busy start for the Marines of Second Platoon. We've been out on patrol every day since the 28th. We patrolled through the mountains for a few days in 6+ inches of snow. We have also patrolled through the plains in freezing rain. Fortunately yesterday, it was still cold, but somewhat sunny. We got back early this morning and we're headed out tomorrow for a few more days.

Despite all the work, the Deuce is still performing great. We should have a couple of days back on base coming up which will give your Marines some free time. Until then, please rest easy and know we're safe. Take care.

Semper Fidelis,
2ndLt Lazzo

2004-12-25T16:33:00.000+04:30

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays

2004-12-25T16:14:00.000+04:30

Happy Holidays Everyone,

Second Platoon is back from another patrol and everybody is doing great. Today is as close to a day off as we are going to see while we're in Afghanistan. The chow hall made a special meal for lunch and Christmas movies are being played in most of the tents. It is definitely not the same as home, but the platoon is a tight group and we are making today as memorable as possible.

On a side note, Corporal Sparkman seems to be the only Marine taking pictures, so I am limited to what I put on the site. I'll try to get more pictures (close-ups with everybody smiling) in the future.

Please have a safe holiday season. Take care.

Semper Fidelis,
The Deuce

2004-12-25T16:12:00.000+04:30

SSgt Corn

2004-12-25T16:11:00.000+04:30

2ndLt Lazzo

2004-12-25T16:10:00.001+04:30

3rd Squad

2004-12-25T16:10:00.000+04:30

Cpl Sparkman

2004-12-19T19:28:00.000+04:30

The cool guys

12/19/04

2004-12-19T19:17:00.000+04:30

Happy Holidays,
The Deuce just got back from a four day patrol and we're ready to get a hot meal and hit the rack. Here are some pictures from before we left. We tried to get some faces in them this time since that is hard to do when we're out in the field. Everything is going well and everybody is doing alright.
Happy Holidays,
2ndLt Lazzo

2004-12-19T19:14:00.000+04:30

More guys

2004-12-19T19:13:00.000+04:30

The guys

2004-12-19T19:12:00.000+04:30

Some more of the guys

2004-12-19T19:11:00.000+04:30

Some of the guys

2004-12-19T19:10:00.000+04:30

LCpl Vance

2004-12-19T19:09:00.001+04:30

LCpl Nielsen

2004-12-19T19:09:00.000+04:30

Receiving an order

2004-12-19T19:08:00.000+04:30

2ndLt Lazzo and Sgt Barton

2004-12-07T21:36:00.000+04:30

Locals