Sacrifice and Valor: Remembering those who did not return

Photo By Sgt. Justin Updegraff | Marines, sailors and veterans hold on to the unfurled flag during the Memorial Day Ceremony at Pier 86, New York City, May 25. Residents of New York, active and reserve service members and veterans came together at Pier 86; the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, those who have perished on September 11th and the men and women who served on the U.S.S. Intrepid, when it was active, during Fleet Week New York. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Justin T. Updegraff/ Released)  

MANHATTAN, NY, UNITED STATES

05.25.2015

Story by Cpl. Justin Updegraff 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

NEW YORK, N.Y. - “On Memorial Day, we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the freedoms that we so often take for granted,” said Susan Marenoff-Zausner, president of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

Residents of New York, active and reserve service members, veterans and Columbian service members came together at Pier 86; the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, those who have perished on September 11th and the men and women who served on the U.S.S. Intrepid, when it was active, during Fleet Week New York, New York City, May 25.

More than 300 Marines arrived in New York City to participate in this year’s annual Fleet Week. The community engagement event provides the people of New York City and surrounding area a chance to see the capabilities of the Marine Corps and the opportunity to meet with the Marines, as well as come together during a time of remembrance.

“Memorial day was established 147 years ago by presidential decree,” said Gen. John Kelly, the commander of United States Southern Command. “Right after our own civil war, a war that would determine what kind of country we would ultimately be.”

Everyone attending gathered behind the stage to witness the laying of commemorative wreaths. The four wreaths stood for the United States military personnel lost in current conflicts, United States military personnel lost in all other conflicts in our history, crewmembers of the U.S.S. Intrepid and for military personnel of allied nations.

Marines and sailors of the military flag detail for the ceremony, unfurled a large United States flag. Once stretched out, other service members, veterans and even residents of New York filled in the gaps to create a border all the way around the flag.

“With all of this service and loss, we as Americans can proud of the kind of people we are,” said Kelly. “We have fought not to conquer, but to defend. We have never enslaved anyone with whom we have fought. We possess no empire. On the contrary, billions across the planet are free today, and billions unborn will live free, because American’s have fought and died.”

• Date Taken: 05.25.2015
• Date Posted: 05.25.2015 21:05
• Story ID: 164474
• Location: MANHATTAN, NY, US