Marine Raiders Plan 770-Mile March to Honor Fallen Comrades
CHARLESTON, S.C. — On March 10, 2015 seven United States Marines and four Army National Guardsmen died when the Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter carrying them crashed in the Santa Rosa Sound in Navarre, Fla. The seven Marine Raiders, members of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion of Camp Lejeune, N.C., were returning from a night training mission. On March 11, 2016, 14 Marine Raiders will set out on a more than 770-mile ruck march to honor their fallen comrades and to ensure they are never forgotten.
Fourteen Marine Raiders will begin a 770-mile trek March 11, 2016 from the crash site in Navarre, Fla. relaying through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina before ending the march at Courthouse Bay on Camp Lejeune. Each two-man team will average 11-miles per leg and approximately 110-miles during the 10-day trek, all while wearing a 45-pound rucksack and carrying the recovered paddle from the crash.
This paddle was recovered from the shore line of the Santa Rosa Sound shortly after the crash occurred by the remainder of MSOT 8231. This paddle is extremely sacred and was adorned, wrapped, and presented to the Marine Raider Memorial March to carry. The rope that this paddle is wrapped with is the broach line that was attached to the Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft (CRRC) that the Marines of MSOT 8231 were training with. Upon completion of the Marine Raider Memorial March the paddle will be presented to 2d Marine Raider Battalion where it will remain with the men of Hotel Company.
The seven teams represent the seven Marine Raiders who died: Captain Stanford Shaw III, Master Sgt. Thomas Saunders, Staff Sgt. Marcus Bawol, Staff Sgt. Liam Flynn, Staff Sgt. Kerry Kemp, Staff Sgt. Trevor Blaylock, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Seif. “All of these men were warriors. Some of them were my students and some were my friends. All of them were brothers. What would you do for your brothers and family” stated Gunnery Sgt. Adam Kinosh, one of the 14 ruckers.
“We decided to organize this event to honor our fallen brothers. We know it will be hard both physically and mentally. All of which we take on willingly. For us, 10 days of mental and physical discomfort and pain will never compare to the loss felt by the families who lost their brother, father, husband, and son. We know all of this, and proudly march to ensure our fallen brothers are honored and their sacrifices are never forgotten,” said Staff Sgt. Nathan Harris.
The Marine Special Operations Command was recently designated Marine Raiders, reviving the name of the Marine command that was created during World War II during the island hopping campaigns of the Pacific War. Those Raiders spearheaded amphibious landings and conducted high speed, surprise raids behind enemy lines. Upon completion of selection training, each Raider was assigned a paddle, a key piece of equipment for these amphibious warriors. If killed in action, the Marine Raider’s paddle was inscribed and presented to his family.
Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Hattar, another Marine Raider who will be participating in the ruck, recalls “I was a founding member of team 8231. It was some of the best times of my life. I was surrounded by men who exemplified what the word honor and courage means. I will be participating to pay respect to them, their family, and to honor the legacy they leave behind. Never above you, never below you, always beside you.”
A private remembrance ceremony honoring the eleven men who lost their lives will be held Thursday March 10, 2016.
All proceeds from the Marine Raider Memorial March will benefit The Brothers in Arms Foundation. The Brothers in Arms Foundation, a South Florida based 501(c)(3), plays a crucial role in supporting the families of the Fallen Marine Raiders.
