Hawaii Marines honor tradition, recount the past

[thedrifter]

Hawaii Marines honor tradition, recount the past
Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification Number: 20031113212753
Story by Kristin Herrick



MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii(Nov. 7, 2003) -- "Semper Fidelis." Always faithful. This motto has been carried by generations of Marines for more than two and a quarter centuries and will prevail for generations to come.

Marine Corps history was re-lived last Nov. 7 as MCB Hawaii residents and visitors gathered at Dewey Square aboard Kaneohe Bay for the annual Uniform Pageant and Cake Cutting Ceremony.

The pageant, in honor of the United States Marine Corps' 228th birthday, presented the history of the Corps through era uniforms beginning with the Revolutionary War and ending with the present-day Marine.

The Marine Forces Pacific Band played music distinct to each era as period Marines marched into the square and re-enacted moments from history.

Veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Desert Shield/Desert Storm each received recognition for their service to the country and the Marine Corps.

In keeping with tradition, Brig. Gen. J. C. McAbee, commanding general of MCB Hawaii, presented birthday cake to the oldest and youngest Marines in attendance.

The oldest was Vivian Thompson, who is 92 years old and first joined the Marine Corps in 1943.

Private First Class Alexandro Lopezzamora was the youngest Marine present at 18 years old; he joined the Corps in January 2003.

Many who attended said the pageant made them feel proud - no doubt stemming from the decades of honorable and faithful service of United States Marines.

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Corporal Travis Eslinger represents a Revolutionary War era Marine during the Marine Corps' 228th birthday celebration at Dewey Square aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. Marines re-enacted devil dogs from different war eras at the traditional birthday pageant before a crowd of more than a thousand spectators, Nov. 7.

Photo by: Kristin Herrick

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Devil dogs from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, portrayed Marines from different war eras during the annual Marine Corps Birthday Pageant, Nov. 7 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay's Dewey Square. More than a thousand veterans, civilians, school children, and other military spectators joined the Marines for their 228th birthday celebration. Photo by: Kristin Herrick

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Following the display of era uniforms depicting Marines from the Revolutionary War until the present day, Marines re-enacted the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima in 1945 at the 2003 MCB Hawaii Uniform Pageant and Cake Cutting Ceremony at Dewey Square aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Nov. 7.

Photo by: Kristin Herrick

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/D5191256E9F01F2285256DDE000D8A2A?opendocument


Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

Marines dressed to impress
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 20031114175812
Story by Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard Valliere



MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Nov. 6, 2003) -- "Hey 1812."

"Yeah, 1775?"

"You think you could help me with this wig?"

It might not be a typical conversation, especially for Marines. But this wasn't everyday duty. The two Marines geared up, wigs and all, to put the Corps' history on display for the Carlsbad, Calif. Rotary Club Nov. 6. It was a preview of what Marines and friends of the Corps witnessed Nov. 13 at the 11 Area Field.

The I Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Base Birthday Pageant will be hosted by Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, commanding general for I MEF, and Maj. Gen. William G. Bowdon, commanding general for MCB.

The pageant included Marines and one Navy hospital corpsman sporting 12 costumes from nine periods in the Corps' history, each reciting a short monologue about their importance to the history of the Marine Corps.

The Marines said recreating the Corps' history was a welcome change of pace from the daily grind.

"It makes history more real, a bit more tangible, than reading about it in books," said Cpl. John J. Haines, who wore a Revolutionary War-era uniform. "Being in a period piece like this really brings it to life."

The uniform pageant linked not just the Marines to their past, but the communities and nation Marines serve. The ceremony was a tangible link to 200-plus years of esprit de corps.

"The faces of the Marines of the past and present tell the story of a tough, disciplined and proud group of Americans who loved a challenge and gave nothing but their best," said Sgt. Claudia Garcia, a narrator for the event.

"Today, the uniform is different, but the faces are the same. Sure, we are better educated, better trained and better equipped; yet our duty, as Marines, has not changed."

Daniel Hinman, a 13-year-old whose grandmother is a member of the Rotary Club, wanted to attend the meeting for the chance to see Marines up close. His fascination with the Corps is starting early.

"I want to be in the Marines," Hinman said. "My grandma told me they were going to show Marine stuff, so I wanted to go."

Hinman moved to North County from Huntington Beach about a year ago. He says he has really enjoyed living so close to such a strong military presence.

"I like driving past Camp Pendleton and watching the tanks and helicopters go by," he said.

Haines said the realization that he's a role model was eye-opening.

"I can help give him something to aspire to," Haines said. "It feels really good to be looked up to. (The pageant) really made me see the impression Marines make on society."


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Sergeant Jose P. Gonzalez, with Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, displays a Marine sense of pride to a veteran-filled crowd during a color guard ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Carlsbad, Calif. Nov. 6, 2003. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard Valliere

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Corporal John J. Haines assists Cpl. Jarrad Goode with his leather collar befrore a uniform pageant Nov. 6, 2003 for the Carlsbad, Calif. Rotary Club's monthly meeting. The pageant was a formal dress rehersal of sorts for Camp Pendleton's larger uniform pageant at the 228th Marine Corps Birthday Ceremony, held Nov. 12. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Samuel Bard Valliere

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/ADD5776633393A8A85256DDE007E2DCB?opendocument


Sempers,

Roger
:marine: