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NYPD Celebrates Corps' Birthday
Submitted by: 1st Marine Corps District
Story Identification Number: 20011110112646
Story by Sgt. Sam Kille, USMCR
NEW YORK(November 9, 2001) -- Deeply embedded in every Marine's heart is a strong sense of devotion to duty and a love for tradition. Whether still in uniform or not, Marines--who believe that "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" is more than a mere saying--gather each year to celebrate the Corps' birth Nov. 10.
In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in New York, this year's 226th birthday celebration has taken on new meaning for many, especially for those most affected by the tragedy. Keeping this in mind, the NYPD Marine Corps Association's annual celebration, held at One Police Plaza in Manhattan Nov. 9, was a ceremony ripe with tradition and solemn remembrance.
"I am deeply humbled to be here celebrating our Corps' birthday with those who fought the first battle in the global war on terrorism," said guest speaker, Brig. Gen. Gordon Nash, the director of the Operations Division, Plans, Policies and Operations, at Headquarters Marine Corps. "I want you to know that we will win this war."
The NYPD Marine Corps Association, formed in 1993, is comprised of New York City police officers who have served in the Corps. In addition to the traditional cake cutting ceremony and the playing of the Commandant's Birthday Message, the group recognized those who had made the ultimate sacrifice during rescue efforts at the World Trade Center. Twenty-three of the law enforcement, firefighters and rescue personnel who died Sept. 11 had served as Marines. Of those, Firefighter Matthew Garvey and Firefighter Sean Tallon, were drilling reservists with 6th Communications Battalion, and 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, respectively.
A highlight of the ceremony for many were the remarks made by guest speaker and author, James Bradley--the son of John "Doc" Bradley--one of the six flag raisers immortalized in Joe Rosenthal's famed photograph of the flag raising during the battle for Iwo Jima. Bradley spoke of how the "valor witnessed at Iwo Jima was due to a common virtue in all Marines, which is still evident today."
Bradley's emotional comparison to the Marines of past and present drew a standing ovation from the audience of nearly one thousand.
"Those we lost may not be here in body," said Tom Sullivan, a retired NYPD detective and the event's master of ceremonies. "But I guarantee they are looking down on us with pride."
"And if the Army and the Navy ever look on Heaven's scenes," Sullivan added while paraphrasing a verse from the Marine's Hymn, "They will find the streets are guarded by THESE United States Marines."
The Fallen Marines of the World Trade Center Attack:
NYPD-Sgt. Michael Curtin; Sgt. John Coughlin; PO Vincent Danz
Port Authority PD- PO Paul Jurgens; PO James Parham
FBI - Special Agent Leonard Hatton
FDNY - Bn. Chief Raymond Downey; Bn. Chief Joseph Grezlak; Capt. Patrick Brown; Lt. Michael Esposito; FF Calixto Anaya; FF Ruben Correa; FF John Chipura; FF Matthew Garvey; FF Gary Geidel; FF Ronnie Henderson; FF William Krukowski; FF Manual Mojica; FF Christian Regenhard; FF Gregory Sikorsky; FF Kevin Smith; FF Sean Tallon; FF Allan Tarasiewicz
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