As General John Allen said in opening the Expo today, many of Lejeune's Marines are freshly returned from Anbar Province in Iraq. Their mission there evolved rapidly from counter-insurgency to a stabilization operation. Since Operation Iraqi Freedom began, the enemies' weapons and tactics have shifted at a breakneck rate. Marines, always famed for their ability to adapt and improvise, have countered at every turn - and the companies that supply them have had to listen hard and move fast to keep up.

General Allen noted that Marines typically don 75 pounds of clothing, boots, armor, water and rations, armor, electronics and of course weapons. [Editor's note: Later in the show, Bill spoke with a Major who is involved in developing field equipment. He said the typical infantry Marine now carries between 95 and 134 pounds of gear, depending on mission and task. The average Marine weighs 163 pounds, so you can only imagine what slogging around in desert heat and engaging in battle must feel like.] Every ounce that can be trimmed, while making that item more effective, is blessed by the weary grunts. These expos afford the warfighters a chance to help their suppliers make those vital changes.

Although there is a serious purpose, Marines find a way to have some fun. For instance, Taser International offers Marines "a ride" on the shock weapon to experience how it immobilizes an opponent. The company also offers a T-shirt to commemorate a Marine's taking up the challenge. Add a little peer pressure, and a number will step up. One Marine described it as "the longest 5 seconds of his life," and that the muscle cramp caused by the current left him feeling like he'd done a long, hard weightlifting session.

Camp Lejeune is located near Jacksonville, NC, and not far from posh beach resorts and vacation towns. The Marine Corps is the biggest industry here, and the town and base share a history going back to the beginning of World War II. When terrorists attacked the Marine barracks in Beirut on 23 October 1983, many of those killed and wounded had been deployed from here.

The bombing has become an iconic event in Corps history. On a quiet edge of the base, the Beirut Memorial offers a spot of quiet contemplation just yards from a busy intersection. Names of the fallen are engraved on a granite wall, along with the reminder "They Came In Peace."

On an early spring today, blossoming azaleas attract bees and butterflies to the scene. Also on the Memorial grounds is a piece of girder from the World Trade Center terror bombings. The deep peacefulness of the site stirs emotions of pride and respect for the fallen, and, yes, a resolve to avenge them by removing such threats from not just the U.S. but also from the world.

For more photos of the show, please go here.