Photo By Sgt. Scott Achtemeier | Major Gen. Mark A. Clark, commanding general of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command Marines and sailors are renowned for their ability to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. The fact that MARSOC takes care of their own, in life and in death, is a major contributor to their audacity and mission accomplishment.
With this in mind, MARSOC, in conjunction with the MARSOC Foundation, Marine Corps Community Services and Raising Raiders carried out numerous events to recognize and garner support for all MARSOC Marines, sailors civilian Marines as well as their families.
The first event was ‘Honor the Fallen’, a one-of-a-kind ceremony at the MARSOC headquarters to honor all Marines, sailors and civilian Marines lost at home and abroad since MARSOC’s inception.
“The unconquerable spirit, spiritus invictus, words that mean something to many, words that mean everything to a few. Today is about remembering and honoring those who embraced and lived those words with the utmost passion here at MARSOC,” said Maj. Gen. Mark A. Clark, commanding general of MARSOC, during the ceremony.
“Honor the Fallen is about honoring and reflecting upon the memory and life of all of our fallen MARSOC personnel. All of whom made remarkable contributions while serving our great nation, protecting our freedom and liberties,” said Kristin Smith, the Family Readiness Officer for MARSOC headquarters. “We are remembering and honoring all of our fallen with the respect they so much deserve.”
The intent of the ceremony was also to fortify the relationship between MARSOC and the families of all of its fallen Marines, sailors and civilian Marines.
“The individual sacrifices our Marines, sailors and civilian Marines and their families have made is extremely important for MARSOC to recognize. As equally important, is recognizing the sacrifices the families have made in supporting their Marine or sailor over the course of their service to the Navy and Marine Corps, and especially their coping with the loss of a loved one,” said the director of MARSOC’s Preservation of the Forces and Family program.
During the ceremony, a final roll call of the names of 45 Marines, sailors and civilians was called out, with no reply. A set of identification tags commemorating each individual was carried out by Marines and sailors as the names of the fallen were read and the bell rang. Marines and sailors paused, took a knee and gently hung the fallen’s identification tags on the Honor the Fallen memorial, and rendered a salute before departing. The ceremony concluded with the playing of taps. The day’s events evoked a deep sense of healing and the families seemed appreciative of the ceremony.
That evening, all the families of the fallen attended a special banquet in their honor, hosted by the MARSOC Foundation. During the banquet, Maj. Gen. Clark and Sarah Christian, director of operations for the MARSOC Foundation, unveiled the MARSOC Foundation mobile memorial wall.
The significance of the mobile memorial wall is to honor the Marines, sailors and civilian Marines who lost their lives while serving with MARSOC, as well as to honor their families, sharing their stories with as wide of an audience as possible.
“The hope is that people will see the wall, reflect upon the service and sacrifice of these men and women and their families, and hopefully try to learn more about each of them,” said Christian. “The MARSOC Foundation also hopes that it will remind the American public that even though military missions are not being talked about on the news, there are still brave men and women stationed throughout the world protecting our country and our freedom.”
Another non-profit organization, Raising Raiders, established to support servicemembers and their families, set out to travel to all 50 states in 30 days, to meet with various organizations, military commanders, caregivers and service providers to generate a greater understanding of and support for military caregivers.
The following day, MARSOC in collaboration with MCCS hosted their annual ‘MARSOC Mud, Sweat and Tears’ mud run, at Stone Bay, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., where over 1,400 competitors took part in the muddy and murky 5-mile run.
"The intent of the mud run is to bring awareness of MARSOC to the local community and Marines in the surrounding area, exposing them to MARSOC and some of the challenges and rigorous training that all Marines could potentially be exposed to throughout the course,” said Gunnery Sgt. Peter Boby, MARSOC East recruiting and screening SNCOIC.
"This year's mud run held a special significance as the families of some of MARSOC's fallen Marines and sailors ran in the race, to include Russell and Marcia Mote, the parents of Staff Sgt. Sky Mote, a recent Navy Cross recipient and fallen MARSOC Marine,” added Boby.
“These events are always great. Not only does it bring out the people who work with the military but also the Jacksonville and Wilmington communities. It was also an honor and privilege to run this year’s mud run with Russell and Marcia Mote,” added Clark.
Events like ‘Honor the Fallen’ and the ‘MARSOC Mud, Sweat and Tears’ mud run are important to MARSOC in fortifying lasting relationships between the families of all MARSOC personnel, to include the local community and Marines and sailors within the surrounding area.
In addition to the ‘Honor the Fallen’ and the ‘MARSOC Mud, Sweat and Tears’ mud run, members of MARSOC traveled to San Antonio, April 29, to recognize and promote Gunnery Sgt. Eden Pearl. Pearl was severely injured in Afghanistan due to an improved explosive device. During the ceremony, he was promoted to the rank of master sergeant and awarded the Purple Heart Medal at his home.
“This was a great opportunity to honor such a great warrior as Master Sgt. Pearl and his family for the great sacrifices he and his family have endured in service to the Marine Corps and this nation,” said Sgt. Maj. Bryan Link, Marine Special Operations Regiment sergeant major.
Major Gen. Clark personally pinned both the master sergeant chevrons and Purple Heart Medal to Master Sgt. Pearl’s collared-shirt, while Pearl’s family, friends and fellow comrades watched.
Lastly, MARSOC personnel participated in an ultra-marathon which began on May 3 aboard MCB Camp Lejeune, as MARSOC Marines and sailors participated in a 50-k run.
“This ultra-marathon was a low-key way for MARSOC to come together and build camaraderie while supporting one another,” said Maj. Timothy Scott, operations officer for 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, and event organizer.
The week was a shining example of how MARSOC continues to focus on their Marines, sailors and civilian Marines, and their families.
“As our journey together continues, this past week is about our promise to 45 special people in our lives, that they made a difference, they mattered, that they will be remembered and will always hold a coveted place in our hearts,” said Clark. “The most important aspect of MARSOC is our people, as we remain committed to focusing on the health and wellbeing of our Marines, sailors and civilians, and most importantly their families.”
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2014 16:15 |
| Story ID: | 128794 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 2,098 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, MARSOC for Life, taking care of their own, by MAJ Barry Morris, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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