CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq -- While on a whirl-wind tour of Iraq, Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, the commanding general of the Marine Corps Forces Central Command, visited Camp Taqaddum, Iraq, March 1, 2006, and had lunch with junior Marines, soldiers and sailors based here.
Camp Taqaddum was the final leg in a tour of bases across the Al Anbar province that included Camp Fallujah and Al Asad Air Base.
During a sit-down meal in the main dining facility of the base Sattler talked about the hometowns of the Marines, soldiers and sailors and proudly stated he was from Pittsburg, Pa., home of the recent Super Bowl champions, the Steelers.
He also talked to them about the improved dining facility here and asked service members about their deployments.
Sattler, who is also the commanding general of the I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, Calif., encouraged the service members to call or email home as often as possible, saying the communication “helps make you fight better.”
Lance Cpl. John J. Gubernot, an avionics technician with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268, said he was pleased with the chance to enjoy a meal with Sattler.
“It made me feel like the higher-ups do care about us and our well-being,” said the 22-year-old Saratoga Springs, N.Y., native.