thedrifter
08-31-03, 06:33 AM
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 2003828195122
Story by Pfc. Macario P. Mora Jr.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Aug. 28, 2003) -- They fought in battles depicted in movies and history books and were graced with the presence of many heroes, including the legendary Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, whose single-handed, damn-the-torpedoes assault took out a hornet's nest of enemy machine gunners during World War II.
Now Basilone, and legions of others who served with the long-disbanded 5th Marine Division, are the first to be honored at a place where many of their Marine Corps descendants cool their heels and share a few laughs with friends.
Fifth Marine Division ?thanks to the dogged persistence of its alumni and the enterprising exploits of a local Boy Scout ? became the first unit to be remembered in the new memorial garden at the South Mesa Club Aug. 21.
Three hundred 5th Division veterans, their wives and family members showed up to support and honor the division's Marines, who bled both on Iwo Jima and in Vietnam. The unit was activated for battle on Jan. 21, 1944, disbanded after World War II and again was called up for the Vietnam War.
Before the ceremony, those involved with bringing the memorial to Camp Pendleton's new garden gave several speeches. Pat McGruder and Marie Schilling, the women primarily responsible for the monument, told stories outlining their hardships and expressed relief over seeing the memorial come to fruition.
Several women from the 5th Marine Division Women's Auxiliary Association worked for five years to get the monument built here, said Schilling, who first came up with the idea.
"We went through three (commanding generals) and 18 departments," she said, summarizing the bureaucratic odyssey.
The memorial was christened as part of the 5th Marine Division Association's annual reunion, said Bob Hansen, the association president.
"The 5th Marine Division Association has been going for more than 40 years," said Hansen. "It's great to have something so enduring. I hope this honors not only those who fought on Iwo Jima, but all Marines."
Garden construction began last spring, said Faye Jonason, the base's History and Museums officer. According to Jonason, Maj. Gen. William G. Bowdon, the current base commanding general, set aside special funds to ensure the garden became a reality.
The base receives frequent requests for memorials to be placed near the Iwo Jima Memorial at the South Mesa Club, Jonason said. But, because the memorial is considered sacred, those requests were denied, she said.
Now, such requests can be honored in the garden, which graces a formerly empty lot at the club's entrance.
Construction was a team effort.
Jacob Lethin, a Boy Scout and 15-year-old sophomore at Fallbrook High School, devised a landscape plan for the garden. In hopes of earning the prestigious Eagle Scout title, Lethin donated his time and efforts in rounding up donated trees and shrubs to plant in the garden. Lethin and his fellow scouts, in coordination with Jonason's office, spent six hours on Aug. 16 planting several sycamore and oak trees as well as a variety of plants.
"Public works designed the garden using native plants to cut down the cost of maintenance," Jonason said.
Lethin attended the memorial ceremony to support the veterans.
"I just wanted to be here for the memorial dedication and for them," said Lethin, who's been a Boys Scout for five years after previously serving as a Cub Scout.
The garden features 18 concrete slabs for memorial placements. In addition to the concrete slabs, the garden will also have trees and memorial benches adorned with plaques.
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Story Identification Number: 2003828195122
Story by Pfc. Macario P. Mora Jr.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Aug. 28, 2003) -- They fought in battles depicted in movies and history books and were graced with the presence of many heroes, including the legendary Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, whose single-handed, damn-the-torpedoes assault took out a hornet's nest of enemy machine gunners during World War II.
Now Basilone, and legions of others who served with the long-disbanded 5th Marine Division, are the first to be honored at a place where many of their Marine Corps descendants cool their heels and share a few laughs with friends.
Fifth Marine Division ?thanks to the dogged persistence of its alumni and the enterprising exploits of a local Boy Scout ? became the first unit to be remembered in the new memorial garden at the South Mesa Club Aug. 21.
Three hundred 5th Division veterans, their wives and family members showed up to support and honor the division's Marines, who bled both on Iwo Jima and in Vietnam. The unit was activated for battle on Jan. 21, 1944, disbanded after World War II and again was called up for the Vietnam War.
Before the ceremony, those involved with bringing the memorial to Camp Pendleton's new garden gave several speeches. Pat McGruder and Marie Schilling, the women primarily responsible for the monument, told stories outlining their hardships and expressed relief over seeing the memorial come to fruition.
Several women from the 5th Marine Division Women's Auxiliary Association worked for five years to get the monument built here, said Schilling, who first came up with the idea.
"We went through three (commanding generals) and 18 departments," she said, summarizing the bureaucratic odyssey.
The memorial was christened as part of the 5th Marine Division Association's annual reunion, said Bob Hansen, the association president.
"The 5th Marine Division Association has been going for more than 40 years," said Hansen. "It's great to have something so enduring. I hope this honors not only those who fought on Iwo Jima, but all Marines."
Garden construction began last spring, said Faye Jonason, the base's History and Museums officer. According to Jonason, Maj. Gen. William G. Bowdon, the current base commanding general, set aside special funds to ensure the garden became a reality.
The base receives frequent requests for memorials to be placed near the Iwo Jima Memorial at the South Mesa Club, Jonason said. But, because the memorial is considered sacred, those requests were denied, she said.
Now, such requests can be honored in the garden, which graces a formerly empty lot at the club's entrance.
Construction was a team effort.
Jacob Lethin, a Boy Scout and 15-year-old sophomore at Fallbrook High School, devised a landscape plan for the garden. In hopes of earning the prestigious Eagle Scout title, Lethin donated his time and efforts in rounding up donated trees and shrubs to plant in the garden. Lethin and his fellow scouts, in coordination with Jonason's office, spent six hours on Aug. 16 planting several sycamore and oak trees as well as a variety of plants.
"Public works designed the garden using native plants to cut down the cost of maintenance," Jonason said.
Lethin attended the memorial ceremony to support the veterans.
"I just wanted to be here for the memorial dedication and for them," said Lethin, who's been a Boys Scout for five years after previously serving as a Cub Scout.
The garden features 18 concrete slabs for memorial placements. In addition to the concrete slabs, the garden will also have trees and memorial benches adorned with plaques.
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: