Marine Division Welcomes Veterans

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Marine Division Welcomes Veterans
Marine Corps News | Sgt. M. Trent Lowry | February 07, 2008

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marine Corps history books are teeming with the exploits of thousands of leathernecks of the 1st Marine Division who, throughout the years and numerous conflicts, have done the most to define the warrior ethos of the Corps.

Some of those men, veterans of combat in places like Peleileu, the Chosin Reservoir and Hue City, sat flanking either side of the division's logo, the Blue Diamond, outside the division's headquarters building Jan. 31 at the rededication ceremony commemorating the division's 67th anniversary.

More than 120 members of the 1st Marine Division Association – established in 1947 and comprised of Marines and sailors who served with the division – brought their family members and joined active duty Marines in celebrating the Feb. 1, 1941 birth of the division.

Tears of pride and remembrance crawled down the rugged faces of the combat veterans as they watched MGen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, division commanding general, hang battle streamers from the division colors at the rededication ceremony. Active-duty Marines from Headquarters and Service Battalion handed the streamers to MGen Waldhauser in succession, giving the audience a moving summary of the division's combat history.

If the rededication of the colors was the most traditionally significant event in a week's worth of activities, starting Jan. 28 and ending Feb. 1, it wasn't the most active. The division offered action to the Association members by hosting a golf tournament, dining-in, static displays, unit tours, field demonstrations and, finally, a review of recruit training graduation at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,161666,00.html