Page 161 - 100 Hours to Destiny

Delta Company rolled back to the same area we had met Battalion
just hours before. The order was given to standby as the General would be
arriving shortly. The sun was beaming down on us as the day wore on, finally
through the throng of Marines came Major General Myatt and his
entourage. Marines started yelling, “Make a hole. Make way for the
General.”
Just by happenchance, the General made his way just 20 yards from
where Gunny and I were. Marines were going crazy gathering around the
General, till finally some of the officers of the 1st MARDIV stood in near the
General and ordered everyone to back off and give the General some room.
“You men in front get down on a knee so others can see. Down in
front. Down in front.” The officers were waving their hands, motioning
everyone near the General to get down.
Finally, one of the giant in size Sgt Majors started yelling, “Pipe down
Marines! Shut the hell up and let the General speak. I say again, shut the hell
up!”
And with that, the crowd of Marines began to gather its composure.
Marines got down so that others could see, and everyone got quiet. Major
General Myatt began to speak. It was truly motivating to hear his side of
what had just taken place. He endorsed the 1st Marine Division ground
troops as some of the most lethal fighting men on the planet. He went on to
say that history had been made this day, and forever will be in the annals of
the US Marine Corps historical records. He indicated it is Marines' actions
such as what took place here today that will be read about and studied
throughout time. Major General Myatt was the first to say of how exuberant
the nation back home was at this time upon seeing how quickly, and with
minimal casualties, we had accomplished this goal. He went on to explain
that now that our families and our loved ones want us home quickly, but we
are United States Marines….our job is to be the first in and the last to leave.
Our job is to secure the area and to safeguard the safe return of all assets.
Summarizing that we were not done here.
The General looked around at the men, turning slowly in a 360-
degree turn and said, “Thank you Marines, thank you all.” His entourage
keyed on that, gathered near the General and began to push through the
cheering crowd of Marines to escort the General back to his Humvee
motorcade; leaving the area as quickly as they had arrived.