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    Medal of Honor recipient speaks at reception

    Medal of Honor recipient speaks at reception

    Photo By Cpl. Harley Thomas | Marines gather around retired Marine Corps Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter’s Medal...... read more read more

    JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, UNITED STATES

    07.22.2015

    Story by Lance Cpl. Harley Thomas 

    Marine Corps Base Hawaii

    JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM — Service members and distinguished guests gathered for a reception hosted by the Honolulu Navy League in honor of retired Marine Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter at the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Boathouse aboard Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, July 22, 2015.

    “Back in 1976, when I was a young second lieutenant and he was a first sergeant, I was assigned to Allan Kellogg’s company,” said Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan Jr., the commanding general of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. “He was a Medal of Honor recipient and I thought to myself, ‘Holy mackerel! I’m going to hang around this man and learn a few things. Then, of course, I met Carpenter, one of the youngest Medal of Honor recipients. I don’t know if you’ve heard him speak yet, but this guy is unbelievable — the passion that comes from his heart about being a Marine and about what he did will bring tears to your eyes. This is the kind of Marine we have in our Corps today, and I’m sure he’ll be the first to tell you he is no exception.”

    According to Toolan, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, the reception was held in order to recognize Marines, particularly young Marines such as Carpenter, who went above and beyond the call of duty. He said it is important to understand the Medal of Honor is not something one can win.

    “Sgt. Maj. Kellogg already got onto me for not wearing my medal,” joked Carpenter, a Jackson, Miss., native. “Not wearing it is something new I’ve been doing around veterans, active duty service members and those who have sacrificed, served and have given so much for their country.”

    During the reception, Carpenter displayed his medal and citation on a table for guests to inspect, read and hold. He said any veteran, man or woman in uniform was welcome to do so.

    “It’s not my medal — it is just as much yours,” Carpenter said. “Like Lt. Gen. Toolan said, though I wouldn’t say I was in the right place at the right time, I had (a choice) and I know that if 100 Marines were put in my position, they would have done the same thing. The Medal of Honor is not for any one person. It is not mine, it is for all those who didn’t make it home, for those who bled and died on distant battlefields around the world. It’s for those who are guarded every day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington. The Medal of Honor represents freedom. It represents our great country. It’s an amazing honor that I am so appreciative for, but it is heavy when I wear it. It is hard to wear knowing so many people gave so much more than I did.”

    Carpenter said he has not gotten where he is by himself, but that his family and fellow service members have helped him every step of the way.

    “I’m a firm believer that you don’t get anywhere without the great people around you — your family, loved ones, fellow service members and veterans, and great Americans,” Carpenter said. “They have truly helped me get to where I am today. To everyone that came, I thank you.”

    Carpenter said for one to raise their right hand in service of their country, to take initiative and know they’re signing up for a dangerous job to serve their country is a very powerful, amazing and beautiful thing.

    “It’s truly incredible and I am proud of everyone who does so, but please be proud of yourselves, your service and what you’ve done for this amazing country,” he said. “I feel like it’s not enough, but thank you so much. I am just so happy to be here and I am very proud to be a Marine. I am a Marine, first and foremost, above anything, and I am proud to be an American.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.22.2015
    Date Posted: 07.29.2015 21:47
    Story ID: 171491
    Location: JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, US
    Hometown: JACKSON, MS, US

    Web Views: 162
    Downloads: 2

    PUBLIC DOMAIN