Regimental Combat Team 5 celebrates St. Barbara's Day

by 2nd Lt. Lawton King

If a Marine misplaces his car keys, he prays to St. Anthony. If he fails to properly load a howitzer, he prays to St. Barbara.

Marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen descended upon the Camp Fallujah Rotunda Dec. 4 to commemorate the traditional feast day of the artillery trade's patron saint.

"I think it's unique that guys with different backgrounds from (four) different services can celebrate the common trend," said Capt. Andrew Brasosky, the 32-year-old commanding officer of I Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 from Flint, Mich. "It's good since we're in the middle of Iraq."

"Rarely do we get together in a social setting to see people from the past and present and honor the field artillery," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 George Michinard, the 41-year-old I Marine Expeditionary Force's (Forward) Assistant Targeting Officer from Baskin Ridge, N.J.

The celebration opened with welcoming remarks from the master of ceremonies, Lt. Col. Robert Terselic, the I MEF fires, targeting, and space chief, and an invocation recited by the chaplain.

Terselic then recounted the artillery community's devotion to St. Barbara and recounted the history of the saint's martyrdom.

Saint Barbara, reads the pamphlet distributed at the gathering, was born to "to a wealthy pagan named Dioscorus, who lived in Nicomedia, in Asia Minor around 300 A.D."

In order to conceal her beauty from the world, Dioscorus "imprisoned Barbara in a tower during his frequent and prolonged absences. But even incarceration could not keep this young beautiful woman from converting to Christianity."

"When her father returned she acknowledged herself to be a Christian," according to an entry in the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1917. "Upon this she was ill-treated by him and dragged before the prefect of the province, Martinianus, who had her cruelly tortured and finally condemned her to death by beheading.

"The father himself carried out the death-sentence, but in punishment for this he was struck by lightning on the way home and his body consumed," the entry continued.

Consequently, "because of her faithfulness and her association with the avenging thunderbolt, Barbara has become the traditional patroness of those who seek protection from thunderstorms, fire, explosions, and sudden death," according to the pamphlet.

To honor her heroic death, the artillerymen the world over convene, regardless of branch of service and geographic location, and toast the artillery trade.

The creation of the artillery punch, a ceremonial concoction of several colored liquids and "gunpowder," was observed by Michinard, and then non-alcoholic beer was distributed to those in attendance.

"Marines and guests," one Marine announced, "the United States of America."

"The Unites States of America," the audience heartily responded as they sipped their beverages.

The initial toast was followed by a litany that concluded with a nod to St. Barbara herself.

"Marines and guests, to St. Barbara!"

"I didn't expect to have it celebrated out here," said 2nd Lt. Russ Schultz, the 27-year-old RCT-5 fires watch officer from Fort Collins, Colo. "It's amazing to see the extent the artillery community goes to make this available, even in combat."

The pinnacle of the occasion, however, was the induction of a handful of Marines into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, a prestigious organization whose membership is reserved to those who have performed with distinction throughout their careers in the artillery field. Among those initiated was Staff Sgt. Greg Whaley, the 30-year-old RCT-5 Field Artillery Fire Support Chief from Sarasota, Fla.

Staff Sgt. Greg Whaley, the Regimental Combat Team 5 field artillery fire support chief, is inducted into the Honorable Order of St. Barbara Dec. 4 at the Camp Fallujah Rotunda. Members from all the services convened to celebrate the artillery, the "King of Battle." (photo by 2nd Lt. Lawton King)

"Personally, it's a deepest sense of recognition for your efforts and accomplishments," Whaley said. "Standing shoulder to shoulder with a master sergeant and a lieutenant colonel: it's very rewarding."

The ritual formality of the occasion was crowned by the lighting of the smoking lamp, which naturally transitioned into a social hour.

"It means camaraderie," said Maj. Chris Tavuchis, the 40-year-old RCT-5 Fires and Effects Coordinator from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. "It means identifying those who have earned the right to wear the St. Barbara's Medal."

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