MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER, Twentynine Palms, Calif. -- The Desert Cities/Mitchell Paige Medal of Honor Chapter of the 1st Marine Division Association held a memorial ceremony celebrating the life, service and sacrifice of 10 of its members April 27 in the Catholic Chapel.
After the procession of chapter members had entered and been seated, Cmdr. Bill D. Devine, 7th Marines Regimental Chaplain, gave the invocation, followed by scripture readings and reflections.
The guest speaker for the service was Col. David Mauldin, commanding officer, 7th Marine Regiment, who spoke of the importance of honoring these men who provided our traditions and gave us pride through their sacrifices.
Bill Ping, former national president of the 1st Marine Division Ass., and current president of the Desert Cities/Mitchell Paige Medal of Honor Chapter, then spoke in recognition of their fallen comrades.
Following a reciting of the Marine?s Prayer, there was a moment of silence, and then Devine gave the benediction.
As Taps played, current and former Marines stood at attention and reflected upon the service and sacrifice these men had given during their lives.
?It is important to come here and memorialize these men who gave us the freedom we have,? said Sgt. Maj. Rene A. Jimenez, sergeant major, 7th Marine Regiment. ?Marines need a sense of what their fellow Marines went through to provide that freedom. We live a good life because of these gentlemen ??
?This is history. This is part of a tradition ? this is part of what we are founded on,? added Sgt. Maj. William C. Bulkley, sergeant major, MAGTF TC.
To further explore the history of the Marine Corps, the 1st Marine Division and USMCR Col. Mitchell Paige, Ping invites Marines to visit the chapter?s museum. For more information, contact Ping at (760) 329-1947, or CplPingL31@aol.com