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highlight of Day Two was our trip to the Great Lakes Naval Station and
the annual Memorial Service. It was a beautiful and moving experience
in the chapel.
During the service James D. Gleason, Naval
Corpsman to the Raiders made this moving speech.
U.S. Marine
Raider Memorial Service. September 14, 200
Marine
raiders and their corpsmen.
We
gather today to honor all raiders who have passed on before us. Among
them are their corpsmen, who though few in number, left their mark on
raider history far more than their numbers would indicate.
Thousands
of corpsmen received their training here at the great lakes hospital
corps school. Upon graduation many were assigned to the fleet marine
force, and later volunteered for the Raiders.
The
Marine Corps and the Navy, have historically competed on the land, sea
and in the air, as well as on the athletic field. Such an adversarial
relationship however, never existed between the Raiders and their
corpsman, nor between their medical doctors or chaplains.
If
you were to ask any corpsman who they served with them.
Almost to the man they would proudly say, “ I was a Marine Raider”!
The
bonds forged in combat made us all buddies and comrades, who loved,
watched over each other, and became lifelong friends as is seen here
today.
As
we here, travel down that long road facing the inevitable, we are
assured that in the not too distant future, all raiders will come
together once again in brotherly love, to march arm in arm for all
eternity!
James
D. Gleason 4th. Bn.D,O Co.
Naval Cadets marching to class.
Moving into the Chapel
Inside the Chapel, waiting for the service to
start.
Navy Band providing great music!
Remembering fallen friends.
The Old & the New.
The littlest Raider!
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Chicago Raider Reunion!
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