Thread: US Marines return to Makin Island

LEST WE FORGET , SALUTE





Total Respect RIP .

Thanks Dread.

"The Marines were given a Warrior's burial; their M-1's cradled in their arms." "The little man knew no English, but knew the Marine hymn." sniff

Thanks Dred

Originally Posted by Gun Grape

Thanks Dred

You got it GG, Nothing like see the proper thing being done to respect those that gave all and have gone before. There is another one to come shortly of other islands. Hopefully as time moves on those listed as MIA or killed during the island campaigns will be found and returned home to give their families somewhat of peace.

Thanks. No words can express...

Dreadnought You are indeed a good Sailor to us Marines. Thankyou.
It's good to have them home.

Originally Posted by Grim

Dreadnought You are indeed a good Sailor to us Marines. Thankyou.
It's good to have them home.

Well Sir, I do work with them and others from other walks of the military and several generations of them and grew up with a Navy father and a retired Marine Col. uncle. Its the least I can do when they and men like yourselves have given so much.

Another very good compilation of todays Armed Forces serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Soldiers Mean More - Home

Was very proud to help the Warrior Welcome home escort for a friends son this weekend from two tours of Iraq. His parents which are good friends are overjoyed to see him home.

"It's good to have them home."

And good to see that they were loved and respected for so long by others until done so. Another wet eye moment.

Thanks, Dreadnaught, for bringing this to light here. Yeah, may we find them all someday and may those fallen warriors be as honored until such time. None will be forgotten.

Not here.

WWII pilot missing since
'44 buried
Updated: Tuesday, 14 Jul 2009, 11:36 AM CDT
Published : Monday, 13 Jul 2009, 5:49 PM CDT


MOBILE, Ala. - It's a day Annie Ruth Owen thought would never come; the day she'd bury her first husband.

Her husband, Lt. Woodie McVay, has been listed as missing in action since 1944. The 26 year old Navy fighter pilot was shot down over the Pacific during World War II.

"He gave his life willingly. He's a hero, in my book and a lot of people's," said Owen.

Six decades passed before Lt. McVay's family, many of whom he never laid eyes on, learned what happened to the young man considered among the greatest generation. Lt. McVay was buried in Saipan at a Catholic cemetary - his grave marked unknown for years.

Led by the Patriot Guard, the hearse carrying Lt. McVay wound its way to Pine Crest Cemetery.

"Been gone for 65 years and finally come back to sweet Alabama soil, a real hero," said Michael Byears, a member of the Patriot Guard.

So, under blue skies Lt. McVay was finally laid to rest again, this time beside his parents and the daughter he never knew.

"It's really great to bring him home, as a long-time Navy guy and former pilot, it's just really great to bring a guy like that home," shared Capt. Jim Ingals.

Gun shots rang out - a 21 gun saute in honor of the fallen hero. As the American flag that was draped across Lt. McVay's casket is given to his widow, two Goose Hawk fighter jets flew over.

"He went through Pensacola to flight training and that's where those jets came from. They are the next generation of fighter pilots," said Capt. Ingals.

Owen said she wants to thank the military for this closure, and for recognizing her husband's sacrifice, even it took 65 years to bring him home.

Lt. McVay's awards included the Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Gold Star, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars. Lt. McVay was a graduate of Murphy High School and Springhill College