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Darkhorse Marines Honor Fallen Warriors
(May 10, 2011) | 
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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (5/5/2011) — Marines and sailors with 3rd
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, memorialized 25 Marines killed in action
during a recent deployment to Sangin, Afghanistan. |
Marines with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine
Regiment, salute during the playing of taps during a memorial
ceremony, April 29, 2011. Moments before, the Marines fired a 21-gun
salute in honor of the 25 fallen warriors of the battalion. |
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“We continue to value their sacrifice, which is why we are here today,”
said Lt. Col. Jason Morris, battalion commander of 3/5. “I take great
pride that these men lived their lives with honor, courage, and
commitment; that our God is merciful and that they will live forever in
the history of the Corps.”
A solemn breeze cooled the morning air
across a helicopter-landing-zone as Marines, family members, and friends
gathered to honor their fallen loved ones. The 25 battlefield memorials
in a semi-circle in front of a battalion of Marines in formation,
reminded all of the high price of freedom.
Each Marine was
honored first by their respective company commander and their best
friend in the battalion. Warriors and comrades stood up and expressed
the jovial attitudes, patriotic spirit and giving hearts seemingly
shared by all who sacrificed their lives for their country.
Each
passing moment brought tears to Marines' and family members' eyes alike
and echoed the heroic effort made by those fallen.
“For many of
our wounded brothers, this is their first time back to the battalion and
their friends,” said Morris. “The families have travelled across
America, and today will help them understand how much we appreciate
their brothers, sons, and husbands.”
Sgt. Maj. James Bushway,
sergeant major of 3/5, sounded final roll call by reciting the full
names of each of the 25 Marines killed-in-action. The silence after each
name symbolizes that while the Marine is absent, they will live on in
the unit and Corps.
A 21-gun salute and taps paid final homage to
those who willingly gave their lives.
“Each loss hurts, but we
must remember how they lived,” Morris said. “In life and death, they
lived with the ultimate patriotism, courage, and passion for life.” | |
Article and photo By USMC Cpl. Ned Johnson
1st Marine Division
Copyright 2011
Provided
through DVIDS
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