|
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton hosted
a wreath laying ceremony at the Pacific Views Events Center on
Sept. 12, 2014 to commemorate the 64th Anniversary of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.
After the ceremony, Korean War Veterans and
their family members with the Col. William E. Barber Chosin Few
Chapter of Orange County paid their respects at a monument, which
was constructed five years ago through donations.
|
Bob Anderson, left, chapter president
of the William E. Barber Chosin Few Chapter of Orange County rings
the memorial bell with Robert Licker, right, national president of
the Chosin Few, to honor the fallen during the group's fifth annual
wreath-laying ceremony a the Pacific Views Events Center in Camp
Pendleton, CA on Sept. 12, 2014. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton hosted
a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the 64th Anniversary of the Battle of Chosin
Reservoir. The story of the “Frozen Chosin” and their bravery
against overwhelming odds is a staple of Marine Corps history,
alongside other stories such as Tripoli, Belleau Wood and Iwo Jima.
It is taught to Marines during boot camp to this day. (U.S. Marine
Corps photo by Cpl. Shaltiel Dominguez)
|
The story of the “Frozen Chosin” and their bravery
against overwhelming odds is a staple of Marine Corps
history, alongside other stories such as Tripoli, Belleau
Wood and Iwo Jima. It is taught to Marines during boot camp
to this day.
“We were at the Chosin Reservoir, and we were
surrounded by ten Chinese divisions,” said Robert Licker,
national president of the Chosin Few. “It was minus 40
degrees and we had to fight a long 70 miles through
mountainous terrain to break out. This is a monument to
those that died so that we could be here today.”
“The
Chosin Few have continued to be the driving force for
Marines many years after the battle of Inchon during that
freezing November and December,” said retired Sgt. Maj.
Ramona D. Cook, protocol officer here. “Today's Marines
continue to serve this great nation faithfully, and their
legacy is what drives them to continue to do so.”
Units from all over Camp Pendleton took part in the
ceremony. Marine Corps Base Security marched and retired the
colors, the 1st Marine Division Band provided music and the
I Marine Expeditionary Force conducted a 21 gun salute.
“Our history is something Marines can look up to, but
what we did was not much different from what the Marines
today are doing,” said Licker. “In fact, today's Marines are
better trained, better equipped and better qualified. They
are very talented and are doing great things for our
country.”
By U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Shaltiel Dominguez
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
Comment on this article |
