Sergeants fulfill Raider's dying wish (WET EYEs For All that Read this)

Marine Corps News ^ | May 20, 2005 | Cpl. Edward R. Guevara Jr.

[AZHua87]

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 20, 2005) -- Four depot sergeants in dress blues came to the bedside of a dying Marine Raider Monday afternoon at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, Chula Vista, Calif.

Color guard members Sgts. Machel M. Messias, Edgar I. Villa, Koami Fedy and Alejandro F. Galvez went to the center to fulfill the dying wish of Wallace Reid.

Reid, who now has several life-threatening medical issues, has lived at the Veterans Home of California, near the center since 2001. Known as paratroopers of the sea, the Raiders were an elite World War II fighting unit that moved primarily on foot. The youngest Raiders alive today are mostly in their 80s, and many are approaching their final days.

Before the sergeants met Reid, Chuck Archuleta, a military historian at James L. Day Hall here, gave the visitors an hour-long Raider history lesson. Col. Robert O. Sinclair, assistant chief of staff, G-3, also reminded the sergeants that recognizing former Marines and their service to this country is important. He suggested the Marines not look at Reid as an old man, but rather imagine him as the 22-year-old he was during his time with the Raiders.

Once at Reid's side, the visitors learned that Marines from his time

[AZHua87]

Once a Marine Always a Marine

[AZHua87]

WARNING!

You'll end up with a blurry screen reading this story and seeing the image at the source.

[RaceBannon]

Semper Fi Bump!

[GVnana]

Oh boy. Waterworks.

[AZHua87]

Warned you.

[mdittmar]

Bump.

[ErnBatavia]

[Dubya]

SEMPER FI

[Mr. Jazzy]

"Among all the honors, among all the postings, promotions, medals, that have been awarded me, the one in which I take most pride is to be able to say - I am a Marine"

General John A Lejeune, USMC



Stand easy Marine. Your duty here is done.

Semper Fi

[OregonRancher]

A thankful bump

[bnelson44]

Always faithful

[alpha-8-25-02]

GODSPEED AND SEMPER FI!

[Dubya]

Soldier rest, Gently pressed,
To the calm, Mother Earth's
Waiting breast;
Duty done, Like the sun:
Going West.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Semper Fi.

I was never a Marine and never earned the right to say that, but I say it here in respect and admiration for those who have earned that privilige.

Besides, what other words could properly reflect your feelings at this time.

[68skylark]

People sometimes say "youth is wasted on the young." But that's not true for this Marine Raider, and the other heroes who fought in WWII.

[Marine_Uncle]

Thanks for this post. No words would do.

[processing please hold]

God bless him, he was of my dad's era.

[docman57]

Great Post, Godspeed and Semper Fi Wallace Reid!!

[An Old Man]

Thanks for the ping Marine.

Semper Fi

[Turbo Pig]

OoRah, Devildogs