MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Sgt. Maj. Steven J. Lara passed his responsibilities over to Sgt. Maj. Antonio N. Vizcarrondo Jr., during 1st Marine Logistics Group's relief and appointment ceremony here, Jan. 29.
Lara has served as the 1st MLG Sergeant Major since February 2007 and deployed with the Group for 12 months in 2008.
During his speech, Vizcarrondo held his granddaughter as he addressed the audience.
"We don't get anywhere by our- selves, said Vizcarrondo. "We all have had some one who mentors and talks to us along the way."
Vizcarrondo has served in many capacities throughout the Marine Corps. He has served three tours on the drill field and many deployments overseas, to include security operations in support of the American Embassy Beirut, Lebanon as Amphibious Assault Vehicle crew chief with Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Vizcarrondo's decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, the Navy Marine Corps achievement Medal with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star in lieu of second award, Sea Service deployment Ribbon with one Silver star and four bronze stars in lieu of tenth award and the Drill instructor ribbon with two bronze stars in lieu of third award.
One of the many expectations as the senior enlisted leader and advisor, is to be the keeper of the unit's traditions. These traditions are what makes the Marine Corps what it is today.