|
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (MCN - 12/13/2011) — Each
year thousands of people bring in the holiday season by taking a
trip through the Onslow Caregivers Festival of Trees at the American
Legion Building in Jacksonville, N.C. The nonprofit organization
adorns the facility with an array of holiday decorations—in the
middle stand some special trees.
Staff Sgt. Daniel G. Stoy, an infantry unit leader with 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division and Verl
H. Matthews, the commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart
Beirut Memorial Chapter 642, stand in front of the Purple Heart
Memorial Trees at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Post
Exchange on Dec. 7, 2011. The trees have 530 ornaments with the
names of service members who have been killed in action. Photo by
USMC Cpl. Andrew D. Johnston |
|
Dedicated to the fallen service members from the Marine Corps Base
Camp Lejeune area, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Beirut
Memorial Chapter 642 has been honoring these heroes by decorating
majestic white Christmas trees with bright purple ornaments. The
names of 530 veterans who gave their life in battle shine
brilliantly on the bulbs. One Marine has been dedicating his time to
the cause.
After joining the MOPH, Staff Sgt. Daniel G. Stoy, an infantry unit leader with 8th
Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, found out that once the
festival was over they bring the trees to the Camp Lejeune Post
Exchange. He said the chapter wanted to make sure service members
and visitors could still marvel the beautiful trees and remember the
men and women who sacrificed their lives even though the festival
had ended.
When he began spending time at the exchange and
explaining to people what the trees stood for he said he was amazed
at the effect they had on them. Once they realized what the
ornaments were he said people would rush to see if they knew people
on them. He and other members of the chapter said it was a very
touching experience.
“I remember the first time when I was
getting involved with the trees we had a guy come up and he asked
for a certain name,” said Stoy. “We pulled out the roster found out
what tree it was on and as soon as we saw it he grabbed a hold of me
out of nowhere and just broke down and cried.”
Verl H.
Matthews, the commander of the MOPH chapter, said he had the same
experience as Stoy. Once they started bringing the trees on base
five years ago, the feedback they got was more than enough to make
it an annual event.
“It's tough when we're out here and
somebody walks in and asks to see if a name is on a bulb,” said
Matthews. “We'll find it and I'll show it to them. I have seen more
than one Marine break down when they see it and remember their
fallen buddies.”
“Last year we were putting the trees up and
this young Marine sergeant came walking by, had no idea what the
trees we're even about, saw one of his buddies names on a bulb and
had no idea he had even died—it was heartbreaking,” said Matthews.
The gentlemen said that the trees are here to represent all
service members who have been killed in action and that this is the
price people serving in the military are |
willing to sacrifice for our liberties. They said they will continue
the tradition each
year for as long as they can and want people to know that the loss
of these men and women will always be remembered.
“This is
our way of showing the American people, fellow Marines, airmen,
sailors and soldiers, that freedom isn't free,” explained Stoy. “We
do what we do because we have to. We volunteered to do this and this
our way of showing respect to the fallen as well.” |
By USMC Cpl. Andrew D. Johnston
2nd Marine Division
Marine Corps News
Copyright 2011
Comment on this article |
