MNF-W Marine lives double life of heroism

		23rd Marine Regiment brings more to chow than MRE’s 24th Marines cover Chilean coast by convoy 24th Marines train in heart of Chilean Marine history 3/25’s Marines play MOUT insurgents at Raspberry City Belle Chasse helicopter squadron readies for deployment Combat simulators grow more sophisticated Conway adds book to reading list for Marines Field Food Service Support Marines brighten days with hot chow Lance corporals get a new MCI Marines hit the mark alongside Chilean brothers-in-arms Marines offload, train in Chilean desert Martial Arts Program makes its mark in Chile MFR honors mayor with ceremonial shell casing MFR names civilian of the year MNF-W Marine lives double life of heroism Ohio town dedicates memorial plaza in honor of hometown hero Peru’s Marine Headquarters welcomes 24th Marines Reserve Marines reinforce 2nd Supply Reserve unit conducts training Responsive corpsman honored by 24th Marines Service members bring training, humanitarian aid to Senegal Smooth logistics usher Marines into Peru Study: Overhaul VA disability ratings system Talisman Saber 2007; Americans and Australians join forces in the Australian winter Task Force 24 reaches out to Chilean needy They take a licking, but keep on ticking – 25th Marine Regiment holds their own despite being outnumbered Training enhanced through exchanges in Chile Two Marines, part of Boston’s finest, are sent to Australia in support of Talisman Saber `07 U.S., Peruvian Marines seize the objective in expeditionary ops
News - 2007.06

MNF-W Marine lives double life of heroism Story by Sgt. Tracee L. Jackson, II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)	FALLUJAH, Iraq--Lt. Col. Walter Powers, currently serves as the Information Operations officer for Multi National Force-West.In his civilian life, Powers, 41, is a New York City firefighter. (Photo Courtesy of Lt. Col. Walter Powers) hallway, a specifically dangerous area for firefighters due to the possibility of a sudden flash of fire funneling down the corridor. “I was just waiting for that to happen,” said Powers, admitting his apprehension during the situation. “I was as anxious on this day as I was on Sept. 11.” At the other end of the hallway, the firefighters encountered a victim unconscious on the floor. “He was halfway inside an elevator. We grabbed the guy and dragged him all the way down to the stairwell,” he said. “When we dragged him out, his body was completely limp.” At the stairs, the team met with other firefighters who were just making their way up to the flames. The casualty was passed off while Powers headed back down the hallway to fight the blaze. In the middle of the ordeal, Powers ran out of air. He was able to make it to the stairs and save his own life. He recovered without medical assistance. Shortly after his legendary rescue, Powers packed his bags for Camp Lejeune, N.C., to join the II Marine Expeditionary Force for predeployment training and forming. He deployed to Iraq in late January. “Both jobs definitely have a parallel knowing the consequences in the end could be devastating. But the rewards are the most rewarding thing you could imagine,” said Powers. “The camaraderie between the two jobs are probably the most similar to each other than anything else I’ve ever seen.” Powers was recognized for his contributions to his fire department when he was awarded the Commissioner Edward Thompson Medal, June 6. Of the approximate 10,000 firefighters who work for the city of New York, fewer than 100 are awarded medals each year. Julianne Powers accepted the award on behalf of her husband to a standing ovation. He was unable to accept his award in person because of his current deployment to Iraq.
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq-- (June 4, 2007) -- George Washington said, “When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen.” This idea may have a special context to reserve Marines who leave behind other livelihoods and identities to serve their country in a time of crisis. It’s sometimes implied that the life of a civilian is a peaceful existence. However, for some reservists, the Marine Corps is just a logical step in a larger ethos. Lt. Col. Walter Powers, who spent the vast majority of his Marine Reserve career as an infantry officer, currently serves as the Information Operations officer for Multi National Force-West. He’s serving a 12-month deployment in Iraq, and is in charge of the IO section. He sits high on an elite command staff and conducts missions within the local community to help Iraqi people take a stand against terrorism. His impressive service record, which entails an additional deployment to Iraq during 2003, is only half his story. In his civilian life, Powers, 41, is a New York City firefighter and native, like his father before him. He’s no stranger to the warrior culture and ethos promoted in Marine Corps recruiting advertisements, and was practically born with a desire to contribute to causes greater than himself. “I kind of got used to working with people in unusual situations. Both when you’re a Marine and you’re a firefighter, there are people running away from a situation, and you’re running into it,” he said. Among the substantially dangerous situations his career put in front of him, he rushed to ground zero immediately following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Sept. 11. Years later, he was still with the department and was tested again. A high rise caught on fire and his department was called to neutralize the situation. “I remember showing up,” said Powers, recounting the day. “We all rushed in and there were firemen everywhere. People in the lobby were screaming. Everyone got in the elevator except me and my boss.” The elevators weren’t working, so Powers and another fireman grabbed all their gear and started for the stairs. “When we got up there, there was no hose and no one was there because we had made it up pretty quick,” he said. Upon realizing the other firefighters wouldn’t be there for several minutes, the two pushed into a corridor. “It was completely engulfed. There was heat, smoke, everything,” said Powers. Regardless, he and his accomplice crawled down the