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thedrifter
08-05-04, 07:19 AM
Wounded Marine’s Pentagon visit greeted with cheers
Submitted by: Headquarters Marine Corps
Story Identification #: 20048474033
Story by Staff Sgt. Cindy Fisher and Gerry J. Gilmore



ARLINGTON, Va. (July 30, 2004) -- About 40 service members, wounded in support of the war on terrorism and being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, received cheers and applause July 30 as they arrived at the Pentagon for a special guided tour.

Hundreds of service members and civilians, including senior leaders from all the services, lined both sides the hallway of Corridor 3 awaiting the wounded troops' arrival at the building's South Parking entrance.

Brig. Gen. Robert B. Neller, the director of Operations Division, Plans, Policies and Operations for Headquarters Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. R.L. Watkins, sergeant major for Headquarters Battalion National Capitol Region, were present on behalf of the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps to greet the lone Marine on the tour, Lance Cpl. Kevin Rumley, from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, who was wounded by an improvised explosive device in Iraq April 8.

Cheers erupted as wounded Army Reserve Sgt. Paul Shelmerdine -- the first to arrive- made his way down the corridor via wheelchair. Shelmerdine, who hails from Warren, Maine, said the cheering and applause he and the other wounded service members received "was kind of overwhelming."

Shelmerdine, a transportation noncommissioned officer wounded by an improvised explosive device July 13 in Iraq, said, "It's good to know people care and appreciate you."

"We just want them to feel as welcome as possible, we don't want anyone to get in their way," said Navy Seaman Recruit Jeffrey Benson, a Pentagon tour guide, noting the tour would likely take between 45 minutes and an hour and concluded with a meal in the Army Navy Executive Dining Room.

The wounded service members need to be treated "with honor, respect and dignity, like the war heroes they are," Benson said.

Rumley, whose wheelchair was escorted by two former Marines now serving in the Army National Guard, was among the last to enter the building. His first visit to the Pentagon impressed the 19-year-old Fairfax native. The guides brought the military history lining the walls of the Pentagon to life during the tour and the meal at the Army Navy Executive Dining Room was one of the best he had ever had, he said.

After lunch, Rumley and his escorts took a quick trip to the Commandants of the Marine Corps corridor, which had not been on the tour. He also visited an old buddy, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. William “Spider” Nyland, who awarded the Purple Heart to him earlier this year.

Since his return from OIF, Rumley has also met Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England at the National Naval Medical Center April 21; Regis Philbin, host of the television show "Live with Regis and Kelly," during his June 22 visit to Walter Reed; and Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, who visited wounded service members at Walter Reed July 21.

Rumley admitted that sometimes he’s not sure how he feels about all the special attention he has received since his return, “especially because I lost my best friend over there.” His friend, Lance Cpl. Chris Wasser died in the same explosion that wounded Rumley.

But, he appreciates the concern and care he has received from everyone he has meet, Rumley said.


http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20048474136/$file/Rumley1low.jpg

ARLINGTON, Va. - Lance Cpl. Kevin Rumley, from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, who was wounded by an improvised explosive device April 8, talks for a few moments with Brig. Gen. Robert B. Neller, the director of Operations Division, Plans, Policies and Operations for Headquarters Marine Corps, in a hallway of the Pentagon July 30. Rumley was one of 40 service members, wounded in support of the war on terrorism and being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, visiting the Pentagon for a special guided tour. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Cindy Fisher

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20048474237/$file/Rumley2low.jpg

ARLINGTON, Va. - Sgt. Maj. R.L. Watkins, sergeant major for Headquarters Battalion National Capitol Region, presents Lance Cpl. Kevin Rumley, from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, who was wounded by an improvised explosive device in Iraq April 8, with a few momentos from the Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps who was unable to be here for the lance corporal's visit. Rumley was one of 40 service members, wounded in support of the war on terrorism and being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, visiting the Pentagon for a special guided tour July 30. New York Army National Guardsman Staff Sgt Troy Mechanic, who served in the Marine Corps from 1990-1996, escorted Rumley during the tour along with Alabama Army National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Larry Gill, who served in the Corps from 1980-1992. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Cindy Fisher

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/C4B0D8922516FA3D85256EE600402322?opendocument

Ellie