thedrifter
05-27-06, 08:08 AM
NEW YORK CITY(May 25, 2006) -- Traffic was stopped, heads were turned and lives were remembered as around 300 Marines ran in formation joined by FDNY Firefighters, calling cadence through the streets of Manhattan on May 25th while in route to a hallowed site.
Ground Zero, the base of what used to be the World Trade Center was where this cross section of Marines representing units from all over the east coast gathered for a solemn ceremony in remembrance of the nation’s first casualties in the ongoing global war or terrorism.
A wreath was placed at the scene as a symbol of condolence to the citizens of New York and a reminder that the Corps won’t forget who struck the first blow. Senior officers stepped in front of the formation to impress the importance of this event and this place upon their troops.
“Even though something died here, in many ways a seed was planted,” said CDR J.P. Hedges, 10th Marine Regiment Chaplain. ‘Many of you men stand in the uniform your in today because of the event that ravaged so many lives on this very site.’
Though every Marine in formation listened intently to those speaking, to each the experience meant something different.
For Cpl. Anthony J. Longo, a radio operator with company E, 2nd Bn, 6th Marine Regiment and New York Native, the event hit especially close to home. “I know people that were killed during the attacks on 9/11 and Marines who have since then made the ultimate sacrifice a world away from here,” Longo explained “You always feel the presence of those you’ve lost and today out here it was very real.”
However the Marines weren’t the only ones who were touched by the day’s events.
“As Americans we know we are protected by a safety net of young men and women who are willing to go overseas and fight and die for the cause. But to see them right here in Manhattan, in a place that was hit so hard … it’s chilling,” said Joshua Clienburg, a Manhattan native. “I believe in this country.”
As the ceremony concluded and the mass of warriors about faced and again to took to the streets, the New Yorkers left no doubts about the way they felt.
“It was an adrenaline rush, everybody was cheering us on, honking their horns, yelling… you could feel the city,” recalled Lance Cpl. Joshua J. Foulkrod, a machine gunner with company E, 2nd BN, 6th Marine Regiment. “The Energy is really hard to describe. It was surreal, I felt invincible.”
The Marines will not forget the way they were received.
“You’ve got to absorb what New York is giving back to us right now,” said Longo. “They understand who we are. What we are all about.”
Ellie
Ground Zero, the base of what used to be the World Trade Center was where this cross section of Marines representing units from all over the east coast gathered for a solemn ceremony in remembrance of the nation’s first casualties in the ongoing global war or terrorism.
A wreath was placed at the scene as a symbol of condolence to the citizens of New York and a reminder that the Corps won’t forget who struck the first blow. Senior officers stepped in front of the formation to impress the importance of this event and this place upon their troops.
“Even though something died here, in many ways a seed was planted,” said CDR J.P. Hedges, 10th Marine Regiment Chaplain. ‘Many of you men stand in the uniform your in today because of the event that ravaged so many lives on this very site.’
Though every Marine in formation listened intently to those speaking, to each the experience meant something different.
For Cpl. Anthony J. Longo, a radio operator with company E, 2nd Bn, 6th Marine Regiment and New York Native, the event hit especially close to home. “I know people that were killed during the attacks on 9/11 and Marines who have since then made the ultimate sacrifice a world away from here,” Longo explained “You always feel the presence of those you’ve lost and today out here it was very real.”
However the Marines weren’t the only ones who were touched by the day’s events.
“As Americans we know we are protected by a safety net of young men and women who are willing to go overseas and fight and die for the cause. But to see them right here in Manhattan, in a place that was hit so hard … it’s chilling,” said Joshua Clienburg, a Manhattan native. “I believe in this country.”
As the ceremony concluded and the mass of warriors about faced and again to took to the streets, the New Yorkers left no doubts about the way they felt.
“It was an adrenaline rush, everybody was cheering us on, honking their horns, yelling… you could feel the city,” recalled Lance Cpl. Joshua J. Foulkrod, a machine gunner with company E, 2nd BN, 6th Marine Regiment. “The Energy is really hard to describe. It was surreal, I felt invincible.”
The Marines will not forget the way they were received.
“You’ve got to absorb what New York is giving back to us right now,” said Longo. “They understand who we are. What we are all about.”
Ellie