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1stSgt USMC -> Chosin Reservoir Ceremony (12/3/2000 3:22:00 AM)
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Fellow Warriors, here is an event some may be interested in attending. I know it is during the work week when reality interrupts and we all must return from the front and WORK! But for those who can attend you will not be disappointed.
1stSgt sends
Ceremony Will Remember Chosin Reservoir Campaign
MARINE CORPS BASE, Camp Pendleton, CA--On Dec. 7, our nation will mark the 50th anniversary of the Korean War and the epic Chosin Reservoir Campaign with a national commemorative ceremony on board Camp Pendleton, Calif., at 1:30 p.m.
The Commandant of the Marine Corps will host the ceremony, on behalf of the Department of Defense and a grateful nation. Korean War veterans, their families and the general public are warmly invited.
The fighting withdrawal of 1st Marine Division from the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea, along a harrowing mountainous route in sub-arctic conditions, from Nov. 27 to Dec. 9, 1950, is considered one of the greatest moments in the history of the Marine Corps and the Navy.
The isolated division managed to decimate nearly ten Chinese infantry divisions in its assault eastward to the North Korean port of Hungnam, where its Marines were redeployed by naval ships of Task Force 90. Along the way, the Leathernecks received critical close air support launched from the carriers of Task Force 77. Fourteen Marines and two sailors later received the Medal of Honor for their gallantry during the campaign.
The ceremony will honor and remember veterans of all the services who fought during the campaign, including the Army's Third Infantry Division and other elements of the Army's X Corps, and the Far East Air Force which provided aerial re-supply and medical evacuation.
Those who attend the ceremony will experience the stirring performance of the 1st Marine Division Band and the Royal Marine Band of Dartmouth, in a rare joint appearance honoring Korean War veterans. (41 Independent Commando Royal Marines served as part of 1st Marine Division during the campaign).
Prominent speakers and guests will include Medal of Honor recipients, government leaders and other dignitaries. Honored guests will include all Korean War veterans and their families.
Before and after the ceremony, a massive static display of modern-day, and Korean War-era Marine Corps aircraft, vehicles and equipment will be nearby, along with numerous historic displays.
The commandant chose Camp Pendleton as the ceremony's location for several compelling reasons. It's the long-time home to 1st Marine Division, and Camp Pendleton is the last Marine Corps base many of the Chosin veterans passed through en route to combat in Korea.
More importantly, Camp Pendleton will be easily accessible to several thousand Chosin veterans who will be in San Diego that week for the 50th Anniversary Reunion of the Chosin Few, a fraternal organization whose members include many of the survivors of the Chosin Reservoir Campaign.
Korean War veterans of any service who live in the Camp Pendleton area are invited to visit the base during November and December to videotape their oral histories. The videos will be collected and edited for historical records and for use in commemorative products.
Directions to Camp Pendleton: From San Diego, take I-5 North for 40 minutes. Exit the interstate at the Oceanside Harbor Drive/Camp Pendleton exit. The exit leads directly to the base gate, where signs will direct traffic to the ceremony.
For more information, please contact the Camp Pendleton Public Affairs Office at (760) 725-5569, DSN 365-5569, or e-mail akeal@mail.cpp.usmc.mil. Additional information will be available at Camp Pendleton's website: http://www.cpp.usmc.mil.
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