I usually give an address at the annual Memorial Service at the Reunion. This year however that didn’t happen due to a change in schedule. So instead I used what follows in the little church service I do on Saturday afternoon. Please Note:  Next year is NOT the last reunion, but I thought it was when I wrote this. There is no date set for a final reunion at this time, and probably won’t be for at least 5 or more years.

Memorial Address
Marine Raider Reunion, 2009
By Louie Marsh

I want to begin this year’s address by quoting a passage of Scripture that might seem a little strange to you, but in many ways describes the history and legacy of the Marine Raiders.

“For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. Acts 13:36 (NIV)

David was one of the greatest hero’s in the Old Testament, and when you boil his life down to its essence, what did he do? He served God purpose in his generation, and then he died. When you stop to think about it that’s really all anyone can do!  If you do this – you have done all you can, and far more than most people do.

This is exactly what the United States Marine Raiders did. Born in one of history’s bloodiest moments, the Raiders as a separate entity only lived a few years. Yet in that time they led the way, and even after they were disbanded, those former Raiders not only led and fought, but trained others to follow the great Raider tradition.

You were the sharpened tip of the terrible swift sword America wielded in our war with Japan.  It was a war fired by a desire to avenge the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. Yet, in the final analysis, and in spite of what many modern historians say, it was not a war of vengeance.

For everywhere the Raiders fought and won, freedom bloomed in their wake. This was true of all of America’s warriors. You left in your wake hundreds of thousands of free people. This precious gift of freedom was even extended to your foe once they were vanquished.

You fought, and many of your buddies died, not only to keep America free, but to offer the God given right of freedom to all you encountered.

I believe that there is something sacred about freedom. Which is why Paul wrote, “It was for freedom that Christ has set us free.”(Galatians 1:1)   It’s is God’s will for all men and women to be free, for only then can we choose to love Him and help others according to His commands.

Your generation faced perhaps the greatest challenge of any generation in our history. All of you who volunteered, and were accepted into the Raiders, faced and overcame that challenge, thus fulfilling God’s purpose in your generation.

But as the Scripture says, There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die… (Eccl. 3:1)

Next year will mark the very last Raider reunion (NOT true!), for time waits on no one, and even the Greatest Generation must at last yield to its advance.  This is a sad season for many of us, as we watch our fathers, mothers, and grandparents pass from this life after long and fruitful lives.

Yet our sadness must be tempered with hope. For all stories come to an end. Every story ever written has a beginning, middle and an end. The Raiders began when you were just kids, ready, willing and able to save the world from a very real evil.

You middle years were lived in peace, raising children, and maintaining the Raider legacy through this great association.

Soon there be an ending, and yet not an ending.  For all endings are just beginnings of a new story, lived out in another place beyond our grasp at this time.

And the legacy of the USMC Raiders will never die, as long as one person lives in freedom, your influence will live there.

And, on behalf of your children, your grand children and even great grandchildren, I swear to you that we will do all in our power to make sure that, as my Dad’s web page says, we are keeping the legacy alive.

Your generation bestrode the world like giants, and now approaches your time for rest.  Well done good and faithful servants – be not afraid to enter your rest, for you will not be forgotten!

May God bless each of you, your families, the United States Marine Corps Raiders, and may God always bless America.