U.S. Marines are prepared for battle. March 20, 2003
Lt. Commander Webber, a U.S. Navy chaplain, leads Marines in a prayer before performing the Warrior’s Annointment ceremony on the 1st Battalion 4th Marines before they head off into battle in Iraq. (Rick Loomis / LAT)
Chaplain Webber performs the Warrior’s annointment ceremony on marines. (Rick Loomis / LAT)
Members of the 1st Battalion 4th Marines at annointment ceremony before they head off into battle against Iraq. (Rick Loomis / LAT)
Private Young, right, is the first person in his group to take in a breath of air while he is observed for any sign of contamination by fellow Marines after a Scud attack was launched nearby. No contamination was found. (Rick Loomis / LAT)
Marine Cpl. Philip Sturm, 22, of Minneapolis keeps his gas mask close while he waits in a hastily made skirmish trench after reports of Scud missile attacks and artillery fire from Iraq into Kuwait . (Rick Loomis / LAT)
Closeup of Cpl. Philip Sturm in his skirmish trench. (Rick Loomis / LAT)
Marine Jeremiah Rogers, 23, of Port Angeles, Wash., keeps his head low while he waits in a trench after reports of Scud missile attacks and artillery fire. (Rick Loomis / LAT)
