Answering the call to duty, approximately 900 Marines and sailors of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, based in Garden City, departed for Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 20.

The reserve infantry battalion was activated - under the partial mobilization of reserves authorized by President Bush - to provide operational relief to the II Marine Expeditionary Force. It is the largest activation of reserve Marines to date.

"The enemy has hit us at our very home," said Lt. Col. Robert C. Murphy, the commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, "and I know that each and every one of us looks forward to doing his or her part in support of Operation Enduring Freedom."

No plans have been announced concerning possible missions for the battalion, but the Marines of the unit feel ready for whatever may come their way.

"This is what we have been working toward," Pfc. Abdul S. Montaser, a machine-gunner from Brooklyn, said. "This is a hardcore battalion and we are definitely ready - no doubt about it."

"After September 11th, we knew the call would be coming," Cpl. Guims Toussant, an 81mm mortarman from Queens Village, added. "We have been getting ready and we are ready to roll out."

For many of the Marines, the mobilization has added meaning because of the World Trade Center attacks. A number of the unit's members are from New York City and many are police officers and firefighters who answered the call Sept. 11. Unfortunately, one of the battalion's Marines, Cpl. Sean Tallon, was killed while performing his duties as a firefighter with Ladder 10 in Manhattan. The memory of Tallon serves as a source of motivation for many of the Marines.

"You do it for your country, for the Marines, for Sean," Cpl. Kieran McSharry of Brooklyn said.

And though the Marines and sailors of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines face an uncertain future, during what is scheduled to be a year-long activation, they are proud to be doing their part. The words of Pfc. Matthew L. Moore, a rifleman from Boston, Mass., summed it up best.

"I'm nervous - not knowing what to expect - but I'm anxious," Moore said. "This kind of puts my career [in sales] on hold, but with the way the world is now, something has to be done. We need to put a stop to terrorism and we, this battalion, are as ready as we can be to be a part of that effort."

When terrorists brought down the World Trade Center's Twin Towers - killing thousands Sept. 11, they made a lasting impact on the lives of many, especially in the suburbs where many victims lived. Garden City was one of the hardest towns hit, losing many residents.

However, living the words of a once popular U2 song, "though they take your life, they cannot take your pride," the residents of Garden City are letting their pride show through their support of the Marines and Sailors of 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. The reserve infantry unit, headquartered in the village, was activated Jan. 14, to provide operational relief for the II Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Lejeune, N.C. The unit departed Long Island Jan. 20, but not before being recognized by the community.

"Garden City has adopted this unit as its own," Gunnery Sgt. James DuPont, a Garden City resident and the company gunnery sergeant for Headquarters and Service Company, said. "They definitely are standing behind us."

The village's support for the Marines is most evident along Stewart Avenue, a tree-lined thoroughfare leading past the reserve center. Adorning each tree are yellow ribbons and American flags. One block from the unit's home is Stewart Elementary School. Along its fence is a huge sign exclaiming, "Stewart School Supports the U.S. Marine Corps!" The school's expression of support didn't end there.

"The students at the school made little cards with drawings and messages like 'God Bless America' for all the Marines," DuPont said. The cards, which were laminated, are small enough to be carried by the Marines in their pants' pockets.

The most moving gift to the unit came via the efforts of DuPont's wife, Kathy, and John Spellman, a lawyer from Garden City who is assisting the families of Trade Center victims. The two spearheaded an effort to present an American flag to the battalion on behalf of the village. The flag, which was signed by victims' families, police officers, firefighters and patriotic residents of the village, will travel with the battalion, wherever its activation may carry it.

"This is a small community and we wanted these Marines to know how proud we are of them," Kathy DuPont said. "We hope they all come home safe and soon."