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3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment Memorializes Fallen Marines
(November 5, 2010) |
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SANGIN, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors from 3rd
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2,
paused to honor their fallen brothers.
Lance Corporals Joseph Rodewald, 22, Phillip Vinnedge, 19,
Victor Dew, 20, and Cpl. Justin Cain, 22, with Weapons
Company, were killed in action, Oct. 13, and Sgt. Ian Tawney,
25, with Lima Company, was killed in action, Oct. 16. |
“These Marines sacrificed their lives in the
service of their country, here in Sangin, a
place that none of them could find on a map 60
days ago,” said Lt. Col. Jason Morris,
commanding officer, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines.
“It's my privilege to stand here before you as a
commander of this battalion and honor the lives
of these five young men.”
The Marines of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines
arrived in Afghanistan just a few weeks prior,
assuming authority of the battle space, Oct. 13.
They hit the ground running and immediately were
seeing results. Unfortunately, those results
came with a price.
“Where do we get men such as this? Where do we
find men who look death in the face and push
forward?” Morris asked. “Fortunately for us all,
many Americans understand that freedom is not
free and some must stand to defend it.”
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Marines with 3rd
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental
Combat Team 2, salute the memorial of their
fallen brothers during a ceremony, Oct. 30.
Lance Corporals Joseph Rodewald, 22, Phillip
Vinnedge, 19, Victor Dew, 20, and Cpl. Justin
Cain, 22, with Weapons Company were killed in
action, Oct. 13, and Sgt. Ian Tawney, 25, with
Lima Company was killed in action, Oct. 16,
2010. |
As Morris addressed the Marines and sailors at the memorial
ceremony, he acknowledged the fallen Marines for their
bravery and warrior ethos. |
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“Like many of their fellow Americans, Ian, Justin, Joseph, Phillip
and Victor yearned for adventure, for challenges, for brotherhood
and for the opportunity to serve their country. They found those
things in the Marine Corps. All five of these heroes joined the
Corps at a time when America had been at war for four years or
more."
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“There were no surprises. They knew they were going to war
and what was at stake,” Morris added. “They were all here,
where the fighting is the toughest. They wanted to be here
and they wanted to make a difference. I give thanks every
day that I have had an opportunity to serve with and lead
such men; men who gave their last full measure defending
their nation against its enemies and helping the people of
Afghanistan.”
The short, quiet ceremony was marked by Bible verses and
prayers honoring these five fallen heroes. Final Roll was
called three times for each of them only to be answered by
silence. Taps followed in a final farewell.
“Although it is difficult to understand why these five young
Marines were taken from |
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Marines with 3rd Battalion, 5th
Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, kneel before the
battlefield memorials of their fallen brothers during a
farewell ceremony, Oct. 30. Lance Corporals Joseph Rodewald,
22, Phillip Vinnedge, 19, Victor Dew, 20, and Cpl. Justin
Cain, 22, with Weapons Company were killed in action, Oct.
13, and Sgt. Ian Tawney, 25, with Lima Company was killed in
action, Oct. 16, 2010. |
us, I take comfort in the fact that they have upheld our
core values of honor, courage and commitment,” Morris said.
“They died doing their duty, taking the fight to the enemy
and fulfilling their vow to do whatever it takes to defend
our nation and their fellow Marines. They died with their
honor and their character intact.” |
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Article and photos by USMC Cpl. Daniel Blatter
1st Marine Division
Copyright 2010 |
Provided
through DVIDS
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