Posted: Thursday, 07 May 2009 6:21AM

Marine Send-Off Filled With Pride


Ferndale (WWJ) -- It was a packed house at Elk Lodge 1588 in Ferndale Wednesday evening, as members paid tribute to a group of Marines headed to Iraq soon.

The Marines received star-like treatment at the "Hanging With The Heroes Dinner." Event organizer Ron Gilmore is hoping other lodges will follow suit.

"See if you can do it. Put it together. Honestly, the people of the community will come together and you really need to say 'thank you' to the men and women who so bravely serve our country," Gilmore said.

The group of Marines is based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Most will be deployed over the next three months.

Ellie