Sun City Granite Provides Monument for Fallen heroes honored at 2nd LAR Bn. memorial service

Sun City Granite Provides Monument for Fallen heroes honored at 2nd LAR Bn. memorial service

By Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde | May 31, 2012

 Marines from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, stand behind a monument paying tribute to Marines and sailors form the battalion who have died in combat since 1989 prior to a memorial service May 24. Speakers at the event stressed the importance of honoring fallen service members during Memorial Day, which occurred four days later, May 28.

Marines from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, stand behind a monument paying tribute to Marines and sailors form the battalion who have died in combat since 1989 prior to a memorial service May 24. Speakers at the event stressed the importance of honoring fallen service members during Memorial Day, which occurred four days later, May 28. (Photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde)

A memorial detail honors Marines and sailors from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion with a three-shot volley during a memorial service honoring the fallen of 2nd LAR Bn. The May 24 service took place four days prior to Memorial Day, a day when Americans pay tribute to all service members who have died in combat.

A memorial detail honors Marines and sailors from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion with a three-shot volley during a memorial service honoring the fallen of 2nd LAR Bn. The May 24 service took place four days prior to Memorial Day, a day when Americans pay tribute to all service members who have died in combat.(Photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde)

A memorial detail honors Marines and sailors from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion with a three-shot volley during a memorial service honoring the fallen of 2nd LAR Bn. The May 24 service took place four days prior to Memorial Day, a day when Americans pay tribute to all service members who have died in combat.

A memorial detail honors Marines and sailors from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion with a three-shot volley during a memorial service honoring the fallen of 2nd LAR Bn. The May 24 service took place four days prior to Memorial Day, a day when Americans pay tribute to all service members who have died in combat.(Photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde)

Marines and sailors from 2nd Marine Division pray during a memorial service honoring Marines and sailors from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion who have died in combat since 1989. The May 24 service included a final roll call, a playing of Taps and a three-shot volley to honor the fallen Marines sailors.

Marines and sailors from 2nd Marine Division pray during a memorial service honoring Marines and sailors from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion who have died in combat since 1989. The May 24 service included a final roll call, a playing of Taps and a three-shot volley to honor the fallen Marines sailors. (Photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde)

Marines and sailors from 2nd Marine Division pray during a memorial service honoring Marines and sailors from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion who have died in combat since 1989. The May 24 service included a final roll call, a playing of Taps and a three-shot volley to honor the fallen Marines sailors.

Marines and sailors from 2nd Marine Division pray during a memorial service honoring Marines and sailors from 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion who have died in combat since 1989. The May 24 service included a final roll call, a playing of Taps and a three-shot volley to honor the fallen Marines sailors. (Photo by Cpl. Tommy Belllegarde)

Lieutenant Col. Patrick J. Keane, commanding officer of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, gives remarks during a memorial service honoring Marines from the battalion who have died in combat. For those closest to our fallen destroyers, the tears will never totally fade, Keane said. I believe it's our obligation to them, whether we knew them well or didn't know them at all, to think of them with smiling faces, to honor their commitment to each other and ensure that our conduct reflects our honor to them; and as importantly, to live every moment of our lives mindful that theirs were cut all too short.

Lieutenant Col. Patrick J. Keane, commanding officer of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, gives remarks during a memorial service honoring Marines from the battalion who have died in combat. For those closest to our fallen destroyers, the tears will never totally fade, Keane said. I believe it’s our obligation to them, whether we knew them well or didn’t know them at all, to think of them with smiling faces, to honor their commitment to each other and ensure that our conduct reflects our honor to them; and as importantly, to live every moment of our lives mindful that theirs were cut all too short. (Photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde)

Marines and sailors from 2nd Marine Division, listen to remarks from Lt. Col. Patrick J. Keane (not pictured), commanding officer of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion during a memorial service honoring Marines and sailors from 2nd LAR Bn. who have died in combat since 1989. For those closest to our fallen destroyers, the tears will never totally fade, Keane said. I believe it's our obligation to them, whether we knew them well or didn't know them at all, to think of them with smiling faces, to honor their commitment to each other and ensure that our conduct reflects our honor to them; and as importantly, to live every moment of our lives mindful that theirs were cut all too short.

Marines and sailors from 2nd Marine Division, listen to remarks from Lt. Col. Patrick J. Keane (not pictured), commanding officer of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion during a memorial service honoring Marines and sailors from 2nd LAR Bn. who have died in combat since 1989. For those closest to our fallen destroyers, the tears will never totally fade, Keane said. I believe it’s our obligation to them, whether we knew them well or didn’t know them at all, to think of them with smiling faces, to honor their commitment to each other and ensure that our conduct reflects our honor to them; and as importantly, to live every moment of our lives mindful that theirs were cut all too short.(Photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde)
Sergeant Maj. Fortunato Rubio, sergeant major of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, conducts a final roll call of Marines and sailors who have died with 2nd LAR since 1989 during a memorial service May 24. The service also included a playing of Taps and a three-shot volley to honor the fallen Marines and sailors.

Sergeant Maj. Fortunato Rubio, sergeant major of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, conducts a final roll call of Marines and sailors who have died with 2nd LAR since 1989 during a memorial service May 24. The service also included a playing of Taps and a three-shot volley to honor the fallen Marines and sailors.(Photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde)
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. —Marines and sailors with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, honored fellow Marines and sailors from the battalion who have died in combat since 1989 with a memorial service outside of the battalion’s headquarters building May 24.

Speakers at the event focused on the meaning of Memorial Day, which occurred four days later, May 28, and how the day is more than just an opportunity to enjoy a day off work to barbecue. They explained the importance of honoring service members who have died in combat on Memorial Day, such as 2nd LAR’s fallen heroes.

“As we approach Memorial Day and as we seek to remember our Marines in our memorial service today, let us be reminded that people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and faiths will be joined together to remember the sacrifices that our servicemen and servicewomen have made so that we can enjoy our freedom,” Navy Lt. Robert S. Spivey, chaplain of 2nd LAR Bn., said. “Those brave men and women, including the Marines listed on this memorial here, have made the ultimate sacrifice so that you and I can gather here today and remember.”

The battalion’s commanding officer, Lt. Col. Patrick J. Keane, shared similar thoughts.

“Today we honor these men, these Marines and these sailors – our fallen, fellow destroyers who have given the full measure of sacrifice for their country, their unit, and most importantly, for each other,” Keane said. “My intent is only to remind myself and remind all of us to take this time this weekend, while enjoying well-deserved, well-earned time with family and friends, to think about and remember our brothers who can no longer spend that precious time with family and friends, and remember too, the family and friends who can no longer enjoy that time with their Marine or their sailor.

“For those closest to our fallen destroyers, the tears will never totally fade, but I believe it’s our obligation to them, whether we knew them well or didn’t know them at all, to think of them with smiling faces, to honor their commitment to each other and ensure that our conduct reflects our honor to them; and as importantly, to live every moment of our lives mindful that theirs were cut all too short.”

After the speakers finished, Sgt. Maj. Fortunato Rubio, sergeant major, 2nd LAR Bn., conducted a ceremonial roll call for the fallen Marines and sailors that went eerily unanswered.

“All gave some; some gave all,” Rubio said to those in attendance.

Finally, the memorial detail fired a three-shot volley as the Marines in formation stood at attention and rendered hand salutes to properly honor the fallen heroes of 2nd LAR Bn.