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    A day of remembrance: Where all gave some, some gave all

    A day of remembrance: Where all gave some, some gave all.

    Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Brytani Musick | Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and his wife Patricia...... read more read more

    NEW ORLEANS, LA, UNITED STATES

    05.27.2015

    Story by Cpl. Brytani Musick 

    Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES)

    NEW ORLEANS - Memorial Day is more than a day to thank those who serve. It’s a day to memorialize and recognize the brave men and women who did everything they could for this great country.

    Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, was founded May 5, 1868, when Gen. John Logan, commanding officer of the Grand Army of the Republic, said May 30 would be a day to honor those who died in defense of the country.

    Logan went on to say this in his order:

    “Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude, - the soldiers and sailors widow and orphan.”

    Children and spouses, siblings and parents, brothers and sisters in arms and everyday civilians across the country remembered those who lost their life in past battles and wars on this Memorial Day.

    The Louisiana House of Representatives did their part for honoring the fallen during their Memorial Day ceremony Thursday, May 21 at the Louisiana state capitol in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

    “We do this to recognize the men and women of our armed forces who were killed during combat operations,” said Nicholas J. Lorusso, chairman of the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.

    Members of the 321st Sustainment Brigade Color Guard, U.S. Army Reserves carried the American and Louisiana state flag, the Brass Quintet of Marine Corps Band New Orleans played the hymn of all services, while distinguished military guests including Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills, commander of MARFORRES, Maj. Gen. Stephen Dabadie, Assistant Adjutant General, Louisiana National Guard, and Lt. Cmdr. Nicole Rodriguez, Commanding Officer, MSU Baton Rouge, United States Coast Guard, represented their services during the ceremony.

    From fancy buildings to old and worn tombstones, people paid their respects.

    Marines from Marine Forces Reserve volunteered Friday, May 22 to lay flags at the Chalmette National Cemetery in Chalmette, Louisiana. More than 25 Marines were there that morning including the Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills and his wife, Patricia.

    Sgt. Kidany Vaquerocastro, the maintenance management noncommissioned officer with Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, says this Memorial Day is special because it’s the first one he’s celebrated in the United States. In previous years, he was serving as a Marine Security Guard overseas.

    “It makes be proud to be out here volunteering in the community,” said Vaquero.

    Sgt. Vaquero recognizes what some service members did before him and why this day is so important.

    “The purpose of Memorial Day is remember those who have fallen in wars and those who I served with and who influenced my life to join and continue serving,” said Vaquero.

    A family legacy is the reason others join the service and one Marine volunteer in particular continues that family legacy of honoring the fallen even from more than 2,000 miles away from those who inspire her.

    “This year on the opposite coast, my grandma is laying flags at the local cemetery,” said Sgt. Alix Christman, a supply administrator with G-4, 4th Marine Division, MARFORRES.

    Service members young and old, currently serving and retired were laying flags at the cemetery honoring those they know who have lost their lives.

    Ron Merrill, a park ranger at Chalmette National Cemetery served 30 years in the military and says he will always remember his friends and fellow shipmates who died in service.

    “Bringing the Marines out here is one more service we do for our fallen comrades. All these services make us feel privileged and honored to be out here,” said Merrill.

    Merrill’s most memorable and favorite Memorial Day was in 1999, his last year of service in the Coast Guard. He laid the Coast Guard wreath at the National Cemetery in Natchez, Mississippi. It was his last day in uniform.

    “I really like having people come out and show respect and putting flags down,” said Merrill. “Its great to see them following through and honoring our veterans.”

    For those who may not have volunteered for an event like this, they still had the chance to remember the brave souls who lost their lives.

    On Memorial Day, Marine Corps Band New Orleans played at the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans providing the opportunity for several people passing by to step in and listen to music while getting out of the rain and hear something important.

    Lt. Gen. Mills opened the night with a message to all those who attended saying they represent the country for their support to the military day in and day out. He asked them to not let the meaning of Memorial Day disappear in the late hours of the day, but still take the time to remember those who gave their all.

    “You represent the country this weekend for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this wonderful nation of ours,” said Mills. “Those who wore the cloth and went to the sound of guns and unfortunately some of whom never returned. If you haven’t had a chance to stop a moment and pause and think about those who have sacrificed, I’d ask that during the performance tonight you take the time to thank them; those men and women who went forward and defended this wonderful nation and never came home to live the lives that all of us enjoy so much.”

    This Memorial Day was recognized around the Marine Corps for honoring the fellow brothers and sisters in uniform lost in battle. Memorial Day may only be celebrated on the calendar one day of the year, but commemorating those men and women and thinking of their families is something to be done every day.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.27.2015
    Date Posted: 05.27.2015 15:42
    Story ID: 164708
    Location: NEW ORLEANS, LA, US

    Web Views: 114
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN