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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (MCN - 2/1/2012) — Though
blood may have been shed and tears may have fallen, not one drop
sacrificed by the brave heroes of 3/6 will ever be forgotten.
Four of nine Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd
Marine Division, stand at parade rest on stage before receiving the
Purple Heart during a ceremony held aboard Marine Corps Base Camp
Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 27, 2012. USMC Cpl. Joshua J. Hines |
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Nine of these unforgettable heroes were awarded the Purple Heart for
their sacrifices, during a ceremony held by 3rd Battalion 6th Marine
Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp
Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 27.
The ceremony began with a reading of
the Purple Heart's long and distinguished history by the battalion's
sergeant major.
“Reading the Purple Heart's history ensures
that all in attendance have a good understanding of the significance
of how the Purple Heart award came to be and the importance of
continuing to recognize our warriors who have received this award
for doing what marines do; accomplishing the mission,” said Sgt.
Maj. Jim Lanham, sergeant major of 3rd Bn., 6th Marines. “These
warriors have done exactly that in Afghanistan and their work ethic
and determination led to a better life for the Afghan people.”
The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of |
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the President of the United States to any
member of the U.S. Armed Forces who, after April 5,
1917 have been wounded, killed, or have died after being wounded. |
Several of the awarded Marines had friends and family
members in attendance during the ceremony.
“Having
family members attend the ceremony gives them an opportunity
to see the importance of what we do and the significance of
their loved ones sacrifice to defend our country,” said
Lanham.
Following the close of the ceremony the
awarded Marines were greeted by several members of the
Beirut Memorial Chapter 642, MOPH (Military Order of the
Purple Heart).
The mission of the Military Order of
the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of goodwill and
camaraderie among Combat Wounded Veterans, promote
patriotism, support necessary legislative initiatives and
most importantly, provide service to all veterans and their
families.
“It's incredible to have these veterans
here,” said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Whitman, platoon
sergeant of 2nd platoon, Company L, 3rd Bn., 6th Marines.
“These are men who have sacrificed the same way as the
Marines who stood beside me here today, but years before us.
Yet the fact that there is such camaraderie and brotherhood
between us that they want to bring us into their group,
accept us and let us know that there are people who can help
us is just remarkable."
For many of the Marines who
received the Purple Heart, receiving the award isn't only a
symbol of their sacrifice, but a welcoming into a new
brotherhood of proud and dignified heroes.
“Being
apart of an entire group of Marines who have a visual
display of the sacrifice they've made for every other person
in the United States,” said Whitman. “I think that's
incredibly important. I was fortunate enough to only receive
a minor wound, while some Marines will never walk again and
sometimes that makes it hard to accept this award, but then
I realize that no matter the sacrifice, I am now a part of a
group of men who have a physical or emotional mark that
shows that they have sacrificed something so that others can
stand here. I am definitely glad to be a part of that.”
By USMC Cpl. Joshua J. Hines
2nd Marine Division
Marine Corps News
Copyright 2012
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