Marine Memorial : Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Non-Specific Veteran Memorials on Waymarking.com

Long Description:
On the U.S. Marine Corps' 233rd birthday, the city of Cuyahoga Falls, it's own Mayor, Don Robart, along with the local Chesty Puller detachment of the Marine Corps League, offered a special tribute to the military service.

The project took over three years to complete from paperwork, submissions, and requesting $10,000 in state funding.

The benediction was read by Cuyahoga Falls City Councilman Terry Mader, who also served in the Marines, and said the monument is "a small human effort to express our thanksgiving again to all those who have paid the ultimate cost."

The guest speaker for the event was Retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Major John Rethage, who served two tours of duty in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Mayor Robart described Sgt. Major Rethage "a Marine's Marine."

Sgt. Major Rethage called the memorial monument "awesome."

"It's a fitting way to always remember those Marines who went before, all those who are currently serving, and all those young Marines who will surely follow in our footsteps," said Sgt. Major Rethage. "They serve and sacrifice in order to protect the American way of life. These heroes, they keep America safe and they keep America free, so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers this holiday season."

Sgt. Major Rethage told the crowd the country's leadership turns to the Marines when a crisis occurs.

"We're still America's 9-1-1 force," said Sgt. Major Rethage. "We're still the most ready when the nation is the least ready. We are the force of choice of the commander-in-chief."

Sgt. Major Rethage also explained to the crowd why some choose to serve in the U.S. Marines.

"Marines fight and die, not for the glory of war, but for the prize of freedom," said Sgt. Major Rethage. "Marines do not fight for glory, but to fulfill a duty. They do not yearn to be heroes. They yearn to take care of their buddies on the battlefield. They yearn to make it home to hold their sweethearts and watch their sons and daughters enjoy the daily miracle of freedom in America."

Type of Memorial: Multi-War Memorial Wars mentioned (Multi-war only): War of Independance, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq. In Honor Of: Dedicated to the memory of those Marines who went before and all those who will follow. Marker Text: The Front of the Marker has a bold red Marine Corps Seal. And the following text: FREEDOM IS NOT FREE 'Til the Last Landings Are Made And We Stand Unafraid On A Shore Which No Mortal Has Seen. 'Till The Last Bugle Call Plays Taps For Us All, Semper Fidelis, Marine. THIS MEMORIAL IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE MARINES WHO WENT BEFORE, AND ALL THOSE WHO WILL FOLLOW. Chesty Puller Detachment Marine Corps League SEMPER FIDELIS The back of the marker: From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli..... War of Independance War of 1812 Civil War Spanish-American War World War I World War II Korea Vietnam Desert Storm Iraq Date of dedication: Novermber 10, 2008 Who Put it Here?: Mayor Don Robart (former marine), City of Cuyahoga Falls & the Chesty Puller detachment of the Marine Corps League Description of Memorial: It is a fine looking memorial to America's 9-1-1 force. It stands just over six feet tall and is over three feet wide. Has a very vivid red Marine Corps Seal at the top, you can see what service this memorial honors from far away. Three flags fly the Stars and Stripes, a POW/MIA flag, and of course the Marine Corps flag. Located at a very busy intersection, it gets many looks daily. Future plans call for several benches to be installed at the site.

Visit Instructions:
Visited Logs must contain, at least, a picture of the monument and your GPSr. Preferably YOU at the monument with your GPSr, but we understand that some people are camera-shy.
Please include something about your visit here, as well.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.