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. Chalres C. Krulak, USMC (CMC): 5 May 1977
Honoring and Remembering:
Cpl Aaron M. Faust
I Got The News Today (IGTNT) , which began in April of 2004, is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos and 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 2001 we have lost
1938 American troops in Afghanistan and a total of 2963 American and coalition forces.
Cpl. Aaron M. Faust, 22, Louisville, Ky., died April 15 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
This incident is under investigation. ~ DoD News Release
Parris Island Marine Band Performing Taps
Taps
Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky
All is well, safely rest
God is nigh.
Fading light dims the sight
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright
From afar, drawing near
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise for our days
Neath the sun, neath the stars, neath the sky
As we go, this we know
God is nigh.
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Cpl. Aaron M. Faust, 22, Louisville, Kentucky
Aaron Faust graduated from DeSales High School in Louisville in 2007 and joined the Corps in November of that year.
Doug Strothman, DeSales School President said that after Aaron attended a Christian Awakening Retreat during his senior year, "he really blossomed" and became more personally involved in the DeSales community in general and his fellow seniors in particular.
Strothman said Aaron visited the school a few years ago:
He was very proud of who he was and what he'd become. We felt the same way about him. He showed up in his Marine uniform that day and really just stood out and made a great impression.
Cpl Faust's father, Ken is a member of the Okolona Veterans of Foreign Wars and serves as the post's Quartermaster as well as the VFW 6th District Jr. Vice Commander. Faust's mother, Tess is the secretary of the Okolona VFW Ladies Auxilary, the Legislative Department Program Chairman and an officer in the Ladies 6th District.
The Faust family knows the meaning of the words: duty, honor, and country.
Cpl Faust' family issued the following statement:
“The family of our son and brother appreciate the many expressions of sympathy extended to us during this very difficult time. We ask that you continue to remember us, and all of those serving our country, in your thoughts and prayers."
Considering his family's commitment to the military, it is no surprise that Aaron recently posted this on his Facebook page:
What matters is not the idea a man holds, but the depth at which he holds it. Death before dishonor. Family above all.
Cpl Aaron M. Faust's awards and decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan.
Governor Steve Beshear ordered that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of Cpl. Faust’s interment.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been set.
Semper Fi, Cpl. Faust.
~ 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 Coast Guardsman) 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.
USA Together - "It's like craigslist for Wounded Warriors". Brings together injured service members who need assistance as they recover, with the people who want to help them.
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.