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
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I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is one of 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, Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve. 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 2349 American troops in Afghanistan and a total of 3476 American and coalition forces. Since 2003* we have lost 4488 American troops in Iraq and a total of 4806 American and coalition forces.
* The two troops lost in support of Operation Inherent Resolve have been added to the Operation Iraqi Freedom iCasualties Report.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
Lance Cpl. Sean P. Neal, 19, of Riverside, California, died Oct. 23, in Baghdad, Iraq, from a non-combat related incident. The incident is under investigation.
He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command, whose headquarters element deploys from Camp Pendleton, California. ~ Source
Lance Cpl Sean P. Neal, 19 of Riverside, California
Sean Neal graduated from La Sierra High School in Riverside, California in 2013 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in July of that year.
High School friend, Edmond Kim said he learned the news from a facebook post. He described Sean as fun-loving with a huge smile and an affnity for video games.
I dropped everything, just thinking about, wow, it's so unfortunate. We were kind of rivals. You know that joy was really exhilarating, having a friend like that.
Kim added that he spread the news to his family and circle of friends. He said his friend was a "good man" and that he would be praying for his family as he was sure they are devastated.
Lance Cpl Neal was serving on his first deployment as a mortarman with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, an infantry unit based in Twentynine Palms, California. Neal's battalion is a part of the Marine Corps' recently created crisis-response unit for the U.S. Central Command. There are currently some 2,300 Marines deployed with the group which contains both combat elements and aviation support making what is called a special-purpose Marine air-ground task force. Most of the task force are based in Kuwait, but some 150 troops have been assigned to protect the American facilities in Iraq.
According to Marine Staff Sgt Terika King, Lance Cpl Neal was part of a Marine Expeditionary Force mission that began in 2012 and was not part of a response to the ISIS threat which has resulted in U.S.-led air strikes in Iraq and Syria.
According to Maureen Schumann, a spokeswoman for the US Defense Department, Lance Cpl. Sean P. Neal is the “first casualty announced by the Department since Operation Inherent Resolve was announced”. However, on October 1st US Marine Cpl. Jordan L. Spears, 21 of Memphis, Indiana was part of the flight crew of a MV-22 Osprey helicopter which had just taken off from the USS Makin Island -- the same ship on which Lance Cpl Sean P Neal and his unit were aboard, heading to Iraq. When the aircraft lost power immediately after take-off, Spears and another aircrew member bailed from the aircraft and into the sea. The other crew member was recovered, but after an extensive joint search by the the Navy, Marine Corps and the Coast Guard, Spears was declared lost at sea. The DoD has not officially announced LCpl. Spear's death due to a delay in the completion of official paperwork.
Congressman Mark Takano of Riverside issued the following statement:
"I'm deeply saddened to learn about the death of Lance Cpl. Sean Neal in Iraq,'' Takano said. "Neal's dedication to serving our country is admirable and I know that all Inland Empire residents will join me in honoring his memory. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.''
Lance Cpl. Sean P. Neal leaves behind a family who loved and cherished him, his Marine Corps family and a nation grateful for his courage and sacrifice.
~ Source ~ Source ~ Source ~ Source
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1st Marine Division (Forward) performing Echo Taps at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan
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Taps
Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh
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 in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Ekaterin, TheFatLadySings, Joy of Fishes, 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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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.