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Eric's Marine Page


   
Cpl. Eric Hoffer, USMC

My son graduated from MCRD in San Diego, CA on August 30, 1997. One of the
proudest days of my life was watching Eric on the Parade deck as he became a United States Marine. Eric comes from a long line of military servicemen. His father, three grandfathers, four great-grandfathers, three uncles, five great-uncles, six cousins,
and I'm sure there are more that I'm missing. I have to add that a lot of them
are Marines too.

A wonderful group, MarineMomsOnline, helped me keep my sanity during the early years of his enlistment. I have since joined other groups that offer more support of the 'Seasoned MarineMom'. These include, USMCMoms, DeployedFromSanDiego, FamiliesOfThe15thMEU, SanDiegoShipsUnited, and USDevilDogMoms. Eric's honor, courage, and commitment to God, Corps, and Country are unwavering and his dedication to his family is beyond measure.

After graduation from boot camp, Eric checked into NAS Pensacola in Florida for his
first school in Electronics. Upon graduation, he went to MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina, to learn the skills needed to troubleshoot and repair Electronic Counter-Measure Systems on helicopters MOS 6483.Eric's first duty station was Camp Pendleton, California, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, MAG 39, MALS 39. Then he spent a year at MCAS Futenma in Okinawa, Japan, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, MAG 36,MALS 36. While in Japan, he was attached to the 31st MEU aboard the USS Belleau Wood, which took part in 'Operation Stabilize' in East Timor.

When Eric returned from Japan he was then stationed at MCAS Miramar San Diego, California, 3rd MAW, MAG 16, MALS 16 Avionics Workcenter 640. In August of 2001 he will be attached to HMM 163 with the15th MEU, aboardthe USS Peleliu on a 6-month deployment. At completion of this float, Eric will fly to Singapore to get his wife, then on to Thailand where Anne's family will celebrate their marriage with a traditional Thai wedding. I am so proud that Eric's brother Pat and I will be attending the wedding!

MCRD - Marine Corps Recruit Depot
NAS - Navel Air Station
MCAS - Marine Corps Air Station
MAG - Marine Aircraft Group

MAW - Marine Aircraft Wing
MALS - Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron
MEU - Marine Expeditionary Units
HMM - Helicopter Marine Medium (Squadron)

These are the Units Eric has been attached to:

 


Banner proudly made by Gene Dixon, Retired USMC


Navy Ships Eric has deployed on:

USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) Sept99 - Dec99

USS Bon Homme Richard (LHD 6) 26Feb01 - 09Mar01
The History Behind the Name "BONHOMME RICHARD"
On September 23, 1779, the BONHOMME RICHARD encountered the Baltic Fleet,
under convoy of H.M.S. Serapis and Countess of Scarborough. That night,
BONHOMME RICHARD engaged Serapis, and a bitter engagement ensued during
the next four hours before Serapis struck her colors.
It was during this epic battle that Captain Jones issued his immortal refusal to surrender,
crying, "I have not yet begun to fight!". BONHOMME RICHARD, shattered, on fire,
and leaking badly, defied all efforts to save her and sank the next morning.
Captain Jones then sailed the captured Serapis to Holland for repairs.

USS Peleliu (LHA-5) 09Aug01 - Current
"The Best Ship, in the Best Navy in the World"

Click here for News on the Peleliu

ABOARD USS PELELIU (January 25, 2002) -- Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary
Unit (Special Operations Capable) are back aboard the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group
(ARG) and heading for liberty ports in Australia and eventually home after nearly four
months of supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

15th MEU Marines were the United States' first conventional American ground force
deployed in Afghanistan. While there, they conducted offensive raids against Taliban and
Al-Qaeda forces, seizing an operating base that became known as "Camp Rhino" and moved
on to secure Kandahar International Airport.

"Your flexibility, tenacity, and the outstanding leadership of your crews contributed directly
and substantially to the deepest amphibious operation in history when (15th MEU Marines) successfully established Forward Operating Base Camp Rhino,"Army Gen. Tommy Franks, Commander in Chief of U.S. Central Command, said to the Marines.

The Marines will visit Perth in the end of January and Sydney in early February before
traveling across the Pacific Ocean to return home in early March.

The Peleliu ARG departed its homeport in San Diego August 13, 2001. The deployment was originally scheduled to last about six months but was extended nearly a month to provide further support to the international war on terrorism. The unit is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The 15th MEU (SOC) is comprised of Battalion Landing Team 1/1, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-163 (reinforced), and MEU Service Support Group 15. They are embarked aboard the
USS Peleliu (LHA-5), USS Dubuque (LPD-8), and USS Comstock (LSD-45).

"When terrorists attacked our homeland, you were forward deployed and poised to deliver our nation's response to those who would challenge our borders and our way of life, demonstrating the capabilities of sea based power projection in the process." Gen. James L. Jones Jr., Commandant of the Marine Corps, told the 15th MEU. "...You demonstrated to the world that the Marine Corps is far more than a 'hit the beach' organization and proved, once again, that naval forces can rapidly deploy to and operate out of an austere location for a sustained period of time."

For more information, articles and photo from 15th MEU (SOC), visit the MEU's official website at http://www.usmc.mil/15meu.

Click below to see a glimpse at what he does all day.

15st Marine Expeditionary Unit "First to Go, Last to Know"

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Dragons!

Third Marine Aircraft Wing

MEDALS & RIBBONS AWARDED TO ERIC

Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Navy "E"
Good Conduct Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

Christmas 1998, Eric is home on leave. It was so wonderful having him home again! Eric returned
from MCAS Futenma in July 2000 and is hoping to come home on leave later this summer. I love
him dearly and really miss him, and I am VERY PROUD of My Marine!

Meet Anne!
Eric's Bride! ***WOW***


My wonderful Daughter-In-Law, Anne!
Eric and Anne were married January 13, 2001 San Diego, CA
and will have a traditional Thai wedding April 20, 2002


Anne and Eric in Singapore July 2001

Visit Thailand - Click Here


For Anne

Proud Parent of Cpl Eric W Hoffer

 

No, Eric didn't take this picture!


This is NOT where helicopters usually land!

INCOMING!

Eric (on the right) hard at work!


August 2001


(and others)

U.S.M.C. San Diego Recruit Depot
U.S.M.C. Parris Island Recruit Depot
Official site of the U.S. Marine Corps

USMC - The Iwo Jima Monument

USMC Env Training (CETEP) Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
DefendAmerica.com AWESOME MILTARY SITE HMM-165 The White Nights
Remember 911 The best tribute I've ever seen! Military.Com The largest Online Military Community! FREE
Marine Times.Com An Interview With God
For The Soldiers  
   

Direct line to the United States Marine Corps - click here:

Visit Our Other Pages...
Colleen's World
Steve's Page
Colleen's Family Album
Steve & Colleen's World
My 1st Michigan Home
Steve's Family Album
Our Friends Album
 Steve's Drivers Page
Banners & Awards Page
  

Our Childrens Pages
Eric's Marine Page Anne's Tigger Page
Thailand History of Thailand
Ron's GroundZero Patrick's Page
Coming Soon! .  

Honoring Our Military Pages
Our Military Tribute POW/MIA Tribute
Gates To Heaven What is a Vet?
Coming Soon! Coming Soon!
   

Sentimental & Poetry Pages
Content With Myself Spirit Of Autumn
The Man In My Dreams My Cheers Gang
Come Play with me I know you are there...
My Favorite Midis A Mother's Love
   

All Pages Made From The Heart!

I send my heartfelt sorrow to the crew and families of the USS Cole DDG 67.
At this time of such a great loss, let us all remember them. They were the brave and the young
that have gave all they had for us ~ God bless them and their families forever ~
USS Cole DDG 67 - In Loving Memory

This site is the BEST Tribute I've seen to date on the events of 9/11
It takes awhile to load, so please be patient, click on the rose.
The events of this day is the reason my son is in harms way.


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(Thank you, Gene!)

 
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Updated February3, 2002 by Eric's Mom

© 2000 Colleen