MRF-D Marines honor fallen veterans with the community

Photo By Sgt. Scott Reel | Sgt. Rafael Cardenas, infantryman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, talks to Australian Defence Force cadets after attending an ANZAC Day ceremony at Rosebery Middle School, April 23, to show support and honor veterans who have served in the Australia and New Zealand military. Although MRF-D has an aggressive training schedule that spans nearly six months, having an impact on the community is a vital part of the Marines’ efforts.  

DARWIN, NT, AUSTRALIA

04.23.2014

Story by Cpl. Scott Reel 

Marine Rotational Force - Darwin

DARWIN, Northern Territories, Australia – Marines from Marine Rotational Force – Darwin attended an ANZAC Day ceremony at Rosebery Middle School, here, April 23, to show their support and honor heroes who have served their nations.

Before the ceremony, crowds of students surrounded the Marines to introduce themselves, give high-fives and handshakes and ask the Marines what they do.

Lorraine Evans, Principal of Rosebery Middle School, heard about the Marines conducting a mentorship program at another primary school in 2013 and invited them to participate in a health exposition for their students.

“For our middle school students, it’s about choices,” Evans said. “They’re at crossroads in their lives, and the choices they make now can have a massive impact on what their future can be. We see Marines as very positive role models displaying our values of teamwork, respect, bravery and safety. We see the Marines as credible and accessible for our students and having qualities that we’d love our students to emulate.”

Sgt. Rafael Cardenas, a squad leader with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, MRF-D, said the level of respect Australians have at such a young age surprised him and is great to see.

“We saw how important ANZAC Day is to them like Memorial Day is to us,” Cardenas said. “It was definitely refreshing to see another culture honor their military and soldiers.”

The Marines accompanied members of the Australian Defence Force at the ceremony. Together, they shared experiences and sacrifices that span across the world.

“Just because you are in Darwin, in the Top End of Australia, doesn’t mean you are not affected by what’s going on in the world,” Evans said. “So for us, the kids having that connection and awareness are really important. I think having several arms of the Defence Force represented today was very powerful, and it also allowed the Marines to support us in an event, which was fantastic.”

The students showed their level of gratitude by presenting the Marines with a handmade wreath intertwined with names of fallen soldiers to be placed on the flags during the ceremony.

“I loved the wreath,” Cardenas said. “It looked like the kids put a lot of thought and effort into it. It seemed like they went out of their way to make it special and welcome us.”

The Marines bowed their heads and stood at attention with the community while anthems played to honor the fallen.

“I saw the respect that the Marines demonstrated,” Evans said. “Respect is easy to say, but we see it and we hear it, and I think what I saw today was an absolute clear demonstration and declaration of respect.”

Although MRF-D has an aggressive training schedule that spans nearly six months, having an impact on the community is a vital part of the Marines’ efforts.

“I think it’s a very important part of the rotation,” Cardenas said. “We’re contributing to the community and letting them know we’re not here to just train and use their facilities. A lot of these kids need role models, and I can see them becoming attached to the Marines already. I think this time and effort is really making a difference.”

• Date Taken: 04.23.2014
• Date Posted: 04.23.2014 03:34
• Story ID: 127156
• Location: DARWIN, NT, AU