Phantom Blooper
05-26-04, 06:21 AM
National Moment of Remembrance- Memorial Day May 31st,2004,1500 (3:00 pm) Pause to Remember America's Fallen Wherever You Are. www.remember.gov (http://) Semper-Fi! "Never Forget" Chuck Hall:marine:
thedrifter
05-26-04, 07:52 AM
Marines, armed forces honored at Mets Military Appreciation Day
Submitted by: New York City Public Affairs
Story Identification #: 20045251244
Story by Cpl. Beth Zimmerman
NEW YORK(May 25, 2004) -- Marine Lt. Gen. Robert Magnus, Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources threw the opening pitch during Sunday's baseball game at Shea Stadium at which the New York Mets honored all services for their Military Appreciation Day 2004.
"It's a great opportunity to represent the Marines and other service members serving everywhere today," Magnus said. "If I can get my pitch across home plate, that just represents how those Marines get the pitch across home plate every single time."
Seventy-two New York Marines in Desert Combat Utilities represented the Corps and the other services at the game.
Representing the Corps at Shea Stadium in Queens was especially meaningful for Magnus, who is a Brooklyn native.
"I love coming back here," said Magnus. "New Yorkers know we're part of them...that the Corps is made up of people like them, their friends, and their neighbors."
During the day, baseball fans toured the stadium and viewed static displays of weapons and vehicles.
"We got to go on a couple trucks and see some really cool stuff," said Brooklyn native Daniel Roman. "This is great!"
The Mets have adopted 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines as the unit to receive care supplies collected at the game. Fans dropped off care supplies at each gate, which the Mets will send to 2/2 in Iraq. New York Marine Corps League members also collected money at each gate for care supplies to send to Iraq.
"People really gave from their hearts today," said Barnett Cohen, Commandant of the North Shore Queens Marine Corps League Detachment. The league members raised $6,000 at the game to send care supplies.
"We dropped off a few items earlier," said John Rondello, from Brooklyn. "I think that was a great idea," he said. "We should all support everyone serving overseas, and helping to send packages really shows our support."
The Marines in the gate also shared in that support.
"When I see Marines in the Color Guard or members of the Marine Corps League walking around the stadium," said Magnus, "it reminds me of all the Marines they represent to the people who see them," he said. "Those Marines know they're representing the Corps."
"It's really motivating," said Cpl. Kyle Shank, a Marine with Marine Aircraft Group 49 in Newburgh, N.Y., who performed as part of the Color Guard. "When the whole stadium cheered for us, the hair on the back of my neck stood up," he said. "It really felt like all of America is behind us."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200452512150/$file/intro.-general-waves_low.jpg
Lieutenant General Robert Magnus, Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, waves to the fans in the stadium as the Mets' announcer introduces him before the game. Magnus is a Brooklyn native. "Every time I come back to the Big Apple," he said, "I see so many New Yorkers who have a really big heart." Photo by: Cpl. Beth Zimmerman
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200452512645/$file/general-pitches_low.jpg
Marine Lt. Gen. Robert Magnus, Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, throws the first pitch at the New York Mets game at Shea Stadium Sunday. The Mets recognized the armed forces during Military Appreciation Day 2004. Photo by: Cpl. Beth Zimmerman
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/1514E7783BB4AACE85256E9F0058436B?opendocument
Ellie
Phantom Blooper
05-28-04, 04:22 PM
WHITE HOUSE PROCLAMATION
MEMORIAL DAY
For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 27, 2004
Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2004 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation
For more than two centuries, Americans have been called to defend the founding ideals of our democracy. On Memorial Day, a grateful Nation remembers the proud patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of liberty's blessings.
From the opening battles of the American Revolution through the turmoil of the Civil War, to World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, to the Persian Gulf and today's operations in the war on terror in Afghanistan, Iraq, and around the world, the members of our military have built a tradition of honorable and faithful service. As we observe Memorial Day, we remember the more than one million Americans who have died to preserve our freedom, the more than 140,000 citizens who were prisoners of war, and all those who were declared missing in action. We also honor our veterans for their dedication to America and their sacrifice.
This year, we honor many heroes by observing the 60th anniversary of D-Day on the beaches of Normandy, and by dedicating the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. In a radio address on June 6, 1944, President Franklin Roosevelt described these service members as the "pride of our Nation," who struggled to preserve our civilization. The fallen from that fateful day and that war will always be remembered. They hold a cherished place in the history of the United States and in the memories of the people they liberated.
Today, all who wear the uniform of the United States are serving at a crucial hour in history, and each has answered a great call to serve our Nation on the front lines of freedom. As we continue to fight terrorism and promote peace and freedom-, let us pray for the safety and strength of our troops, for God's blessing on them and their families, and for those who have lost loved ones.
On this Memorial Day, we honor all of our fallen soldiers, their commitment to our country, and their legacy of patriotism and sacrifice. By giving their lives in the cause of freedom, these heroes have protected and inspired all Americans.
In respect for their devotion to America, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved on May 11, 1950, as amended (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated the minute beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 31, 2004, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time to unite in prayer. I also ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. I urge the press, radio, television, and all other media to participate in these observances.
I also request the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States, and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control. I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH