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Veterans, Gold Star families and local residents of the Boston area gathered for a wreath laying ceremony at the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial to honor service members of the United States Armed Forces, Nov. 11, 2016.
The ceremony was part of a three-day commemoration of the Marine Corps Reserve Centennial that Marines of Marine Forces Reserve took part in to reflect on sacrifices made by the men and women of the military.
“It’s important to recognize the veterans and thank them for all they have done for this country,” said Lance Cpl. Garret S. Watkins, motor transport operator, 1/25. “They have done many brave things and it’s an honor to be among them here at the memorial.”
To honor fallen veterans, five wreaths, each representing a branch of the military, were laid at the foot of the memorial to pay tribute to the men and women who have served the nation.
“The monument behind me lists the roll of honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Col. Michael V. Samarov, commanding officer of 25th Marine Regiment. “Those of us who have been more fortunate in war have also certainly sacrificed. We have lost friends in combat and in accidents. We train, travel, deploy and move every few years. Our families deal with our absence and make do with the regular disruptions in their lives. In short, there is plenty of sacrifice in service.”
During his comments, Samarov also took time to highlight the hard work and success of the 100 years of service of the Marine Corps Reserve.
“Reserve Marines have careers and lives separate from the Corps, and yet they show up without fail to train and commit hours of their personal time to prepare for the training that lies ahead,” Samarov said. “On short notice, these Marines could be activated and after a brief period of training be deployed into harm’s way.”
The Marine Corps Reserve celebrated 100 years of service on Aug. 29, 2016. Notably, during World War II, by September of 1945, Reserve Marines made up 70 percent of total wartime Marine Corps personnel. Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 86,300 Marines from the Marine Corps Reserve have been mobilized in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Reserve Marines have been fully engaged across the globe over the past 15 years of combat operations, serving as the essential shock absorber and force enabler for the active component.
Today, approximately 500 Reserve Marines are providing fully integrated operational support to fleet and combatant commanders around the world. For more information on the history and heritage of Marine Forces Reserve, as well as current Marine stories and upcoming events, please visit www.marines.mil/usmcr100.
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2016 15:29 |
| Story ID: | 215044 |
| Location: | BOSTON, MA, US |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Massachusetts, Reserve Marines honor the fallen, by Sgt Melissa Martens, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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