Semper Fidelis
More than a motto, a way of life that distinguishes the Marine Corps bond from any other. It goes beyond teamwork – it is a brotherhood and lasts for life.
Latin for "always faithful," Semper Fidelis became the Marine Corps motto in 1883. It guides Marines to remain faithful to the mission at hand, to each other, to the Corps and to country, no matter what.
Becoming a Marine is a transformation that cannot be undone, and Semper Fi reminds us of that. Once made, a Marine will forever live by the ethics and values of the Corps.
There is no such thing as an ex-Marine.
"For 221 years our Corps has done two things for this great Nation. We make Marines and we win battles."
~ Gen. Charles C. Krulak, USMC (CMC): 5 May 1977
Honoring and Remembering:
Lance Cpl Joshua D. Corral
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I Got The News Today (IGTNT) , which is among the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The IGTNT title is a reminder that nearly every day the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
Since 2003 we have suffered the loss of 4484 American lives and a total of 4803 Coalition Forces in Iraq. Since 2001 we have suffered the loss of 1843 American lives and a total of 2815 Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.
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Lance Cpl. Joshua D. Corral, 19, of Danville, California
The second oldest of four brothers, Joshua, or Chachi as he was lovingly known by friends and family, was a 2010 graduate of San Ramon Valley High School where he played on the school football team.
Joshua always knew he wanted to serve in the military, like his grandfather, whom the family called Colonel. Lance Cpl Corral graduated first in his Marine Corps class and served as his squad's sweeper, meaning he would go in front of the squad to sweep the area for improvised explosive devices.
Danville Mayor Karen Stepper said Corral enlisted after high school with a number of friends, calling them Danville's own band of brothers.
On Monday, hundreds of Danville residents turned out to honor the family as they returned from Dover, Delaware where they claimed their son's body. For about a half a mile on both sides of the street they waited to show their support and solidarity. A group of high school friends held aloft a long banner reading: "Legends never die. We love you Chachi. Once a hero, always a hero." (Photos can be viewed here.)
Mike Dorrance, whose son, Jordan is one of Corral’s friends and band of brothers who enlisted around the same time said:
“He wanted his life to matter.”
Good friend and fellow band of brothers, Brock Marcotte, who returned home last week after completing a tour of duty in Afghanistan, said:
He loved being in the Marines. Being in the Marines fit him perfectly. He loved working hard. He was super tough. There are Marines and then there are Marines you want to be like. And he was definitely one of those Marines. He set the bar to excel.
Marcotte described Corral's patriotism and enthusiasm for enlisting as the reason he and their other friends signed up.
Chachi died after accomplishing the things he wanted to do. He signed up with his buddies and, in his own words, he wanted to make a difference. ~ Danville Mayor Karen Stepper
Despite being hard core about being a Marine, Corral was known as a friendly, fun-loviing young man. His nickname came from the Scott Baio Happy Days TV show character.
Family friend and football mom, Kelly Miller said:
He was maybe only 5' 5" but he had a magnetic personality. He just drew people to him. He was an amazing child from an amazing family.
Another family friend, Christine Mahoney said:
Just a great kid. Friends with everyone. He had anyone's back. When he joined after graduating, 10 of his friends joined the Marines, too. That's who he was. He just wanted to serve his country. He wanted to make a difference.
On Tuesday night, over 500 community members gathered in the cold at Danville's Oak Hill Park which stands near the city's All Veterans Memorial, to hold a candlelight vigil for one of their favorite sons - their "shining light".
Don Busboom, a history and government teacher at San Ramon Valley High opened the ceremony with these words:
He was a light in this dark world. He fought a real enemy in a dark place.
Busboom then spoke to Lance Cpl Corral's strength of character and acknowledged the grief and sorrow overwhelming the family and community at large.
It is us now who are in a dark place. That is why we are here tonight. We need to be reminded that in this dark place there is hope.
With that, the crowd lit their candles.
Mayor Karen Stepper spoke as the candles glowed in the night.
This is a young man who made a huge difference. Our prayers are with his family who are facing Thanksgiving this year with an empty chair.
Joshua's older brother, Zach said:
I know this may be hard. For those who have lost their grasp of faith, do not give up because we haven't.
The crowd stood in silence for several minutes after the closing of the ceremony, which featured a flag guard, several Marines and a rousing rendition of "Amazing Grace" by family friend Grace Leer.
Lance Cpl Joshua D. Corral's personal service awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Lance Cpl Joshua D. Corral leaves behind his father, Arnie; his mother, Denise; his brothers, Zack, 22; Jordan, 16; and Christian, 10.
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11/21/2011 - A U.S. Marine Corps carry team transfers the remains of Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua D. Corral of Danville, Calif., at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Nov. 20, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Adrian R. Rowan)
Funeral services have not yet been announced.
Semper Fi, Lance Cpl Joshua D. Corral
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~ DoD News Release ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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About the IGTNT series:
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, noweasels, monkeybiz, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Kestrel9000, TheFatLadySings, Ekaterin and me, JaxDem. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died, and show our community’s respect for them.
Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
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Any Soldier – (Marine, Sailor, Airman or CoastGuardsman) Provides detailed information on sending care packages or cards and letters to deployed service members.
Books For Soldiers - View requests for and send troops books, DVDs, games and relief supplies.
Fisher House – Provides a “home away from home” for military families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.
Homes For Our Troops – Building specially adapted homes for our severely injured veterans at no cost to the veterans.
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans – The VA estimates 107,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. There are ways to get involved or donate at the link.
Netroots for the Troops (NFTT) – This non-profit raises money for the assembly, mailing and delivery of care packages to American military in war zones.
Special Operations Warrior Foundation - Provides full scholarship grants and educational and family counseling to the surviving children of special operations personnel who die in operational or training missions and immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operations personnel and their families.
Veterans Green Jobs - Helps transition veterans into their communities and find career opportunities in environment sustainable sectors of our economy.
Welcome Back Veterans - Committed to providing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment to our veterans and their families in a public/private partnership
Wounded Warrior Project - Their vision is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded warriors in this nation's history.
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Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.