Hundreds of family members celebrate the homecoming of the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. The Marines' arrival marked the end of a seven-month deployment in Habbaniyah, Iraq, conducting combat operations under Regimental Combat Team 5. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ray Lewis


Family members look for their loved one at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 7. Hundreds of women and children came here for the homecoming of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. The Marines' arrival marked the end of a seven-month deployment in Habbaniyah, Iraq, conducting combat operations under Regimental Combat Team 5. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ray Lewis


U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Corey A. Cativera kisses his infant daughter at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 7. She and hundreds of other family members celebrated the homecoming of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. Cativera, 22, is from Dubois, Pa. He is also a squad automatic weapon gunner with Company K. The Marines' arrival marked the end of a seven-month deployment in Habbaniyah, Iraq, conducting combat operations under Regimental Combat Team 5. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ray Lewis


U.S. Marine Cpl. Donald R. Harris reunites with his fiancée at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 7. Harris, 21, is a section leader with Weapons Company. The Marines' arrival marked the end of a seven-month deployment in Habbaniyah, Iraq, conducting combat operations under Regimental Combat Team 5. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ray Lewis


U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Matthew A. Moore receives a peck on his cheek from his 6-year-old daughter at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 7. She and hundreds of other family members celebrated the homecoming of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. Moore is an infantry staff noncommissioned officer assigned to Company K. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ray Lewis


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Labels: 3-2 Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune, photo essay, USMC