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Presidential Ceremonial Honor Guard Silent Drill Team was invited to compete in an international competition in Norway
New York State Senator Andrew Lanza
and
Daniel Bodin
A true story about 19 marines killed in the Gilbert islands in 1942 (defending against the Japanese). They had to retreat, so asked the islanders to please bury them so the Japs can't find them. Years later, they checked and found a man who had been a teenager then and remembered where they were buried. They sent a C130 and an honor guard over there and found all 19 had been buried with their helmets on, their rifles in their hands, in perfect condition. The islanders had really done a wonderful job.
As they were loading the bodies, a voice from out of nowhere started singing The Marine Hymn"..........gave everyone goose bumps. Turns out, the voice was from a man who spoke no English but remembered a song the Marines taught him when they landed. Very touching. They got all 19 and their photos are at the end.
What does Memorial Day Mean To Me?
By Daniel Bodin
P.S. 4
Staten Island, NY
What Memorial Day means to me is honoring the soldiers who have fought in wars for us to keep us safe. I come from a family with lots of members who have fought for our country and still today. On 4/17/2016 I went to my grandfathers ceremony at Tottenville High School that honored Vietnam Veterans. At the ceremony when I heard the speakers speak like Senator Andrew Lanza and my grandpa Lester Modelowitz it came to me Memorial Day also means honoring the people who died in wars and did not return and the veterans that are still alive today who served for our country. Memorial Day is also about appreciating how veterans who risk their lives just for America and our Nation. In conclusion, what Memorial Day means to me is honoring and appreciating the Veterans who have risked their lives just to keep America, our Nation and all Americans Safe.