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RCT-7 Remembers 74 Fallen Brothers
(October 28, 2010) |
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| MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS,
Calif. (MCN -10/25/2010) — Rows of military crosses solemnly
lined Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field Oct. 15 during a
memorial ceremony dedicated to the 74 men lost during to
Regimental Combat Team 7's recent deployment to Afghanistan. |
From October 24, 2009 to September 28, 2010, units attached
to RCT-7 lost 70 Marines, three sailors, and one British
journalist to the war overseas.
Seventy-three helmets were placed on 73 rifles while 73 dog
tags hung over 73 new boots. There was a single white cross
in the midst of them all, with a British flag placed beside
it, a quiet reminder the United States is not alone in this
war.
“The battlefield cross – its purpose, to show honor and
respect for the fallen at the battle sight,” stated a
narrator of the service. “Today its immediate need is to
show respect for the fallen among the still living members
of the unit.”
Regimental Commander Col.
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A trumpet player in the Combat Center's Band plays taps over the 74 memorial crosses during Regimental Combat Team 7's memorial ceremony Oct. 15, 2010 at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field. RCT-7 was deployed to Afghanistan from Oct. 24, 2009 to Sept. 28, 2010. |
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Randy P. Newman rose and spoke of
the honor these 74 men showed on the battlefield.
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“We pay tribute today to what these men gave, lives cut
short but not unfulfilled,” Newman said. “Each man gave
their lives in a noble effort to give back to the people of
Afghanistan so they can determine their future and to
increase the security of our own nation.”
As he spoke, the 74 crosses behind him held a
reminder for every Marine in attendance of what
it means to fight alongside one another to
complete the Corps' mission.
“Once the first drop of blood was shed by a
Marine in Afghanistan, we became committed to
remaining there for however long our nation
desires there,” Newman said.
“Our Corps will remain there and will
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A Marine bows his head in remembrance of a fallen Marine during the Regimental Combat Team 7 memorial ceremony Oct. 15,
2010 at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field. The units attached to RCT-7 were deployed to Afghanistan from Oct. 24, 2009 to Sept. 28, 2010. |
fight because that is what we do. They went on to the
battlefield with the full understanding that we were 100
percent committed to what we were there for.
“The only way that any of these men would have died in vain
is if we give up in the effort that is currently succeeding
in Afghanistan,” Newman said. |
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Article and photos by USMC LCpl. Sarah Anderson
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
Copyright 2010 | |
Reprinted from
Marine
Corps News
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