Edit: Updates to correct caption credits
Last week, we wrote about one Marine’s valiant mission to save a beloved Camp Pendleton memorial site from the wildfires that were burning through the base.
Cpl. Marvin Arnold of Mike company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines organized a team of seven Marines for a trek up First Sergeant’s Hill at Camp San Mateo within the base, rescuing the nearly two dozen wooden memorial crosses just before the fires burned over the hill. The crosses are each specially marked and decorated to remember a fallen Pendleton Marine, frequently carried to the site and installed by a close Marine friend or comrade.
This week, Arnold tells us the crosses are back, reinstalled May 23 by more than 100 Marine volunteers from Camp Pendleton’s 5th Marine Regiment. The volunteers were organized through the Sangin Valley Gun Club Facebook page, whose moderators also catalogued the event and gave updates.
The images from the event, showing Marines climbing the steep summit with the crosses on their backs, are poignant.
Image courtesy Shane Eckberg
Image by “Mack”/Sangin Valley Gun Club Facebook page
Image courtesy Shane Eckberg
Image by “Mack”/Sangin Valley Gun Club Facebook page
Image by “Mack”/Sangin Valley Gun Club Facebook page
Image courtesy Shane Eckberg
33 Comments
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU <3 BRAVE MARINES <3 MY SON O:) JEREMY ADAM RIGHTNOUR & MY TIO ROBERT ALLEN <3 BOTH MARINES <3 ARE GUARDING THE PEARLY GATES OF HEAVEN & OUR ANGELS O:) ARE LOOKING DOWN & ARE WITH ALL OF YOU
I am so proud of these Marines. My grandson is a 12 yr. Marine also and presently stationed at Miramar. I would love to give a big granny hug to each one but since I cant, I want each one to make believe that I have hugged them and planted a granny kiss on their cheek. Love from Granny Ingle
My 2 Sons are Devil Dogs Gunny GBanda cherry point, SSGT Jimi Banda Sr..Japan Bats of iwurkuni … Marines are the Best Men .. Good Job Devils..continue to remember your Brothers..
You forgot to mention the Gold Star families that showed up to witness how we honor our fallen in our own way. The fb group Sangin Valley Gun Club has pictures of them helping and watching.
This shows that not only are the Marines the best fighting force in the world, they are also the best people. Thank you for Taking care of those memorials.
Semper Fi
GOD BLESS OUR SOLDIERS & VETERANS
Thank you from a Marine mom
God Bless these AWESOME Marines for putting back the Memorial of the ones that were lost but never forgotten. These are very beautiful pictures and they tell a story within their selves. God Bless All of them. Diane
A wonderful story. I admire everyone involved that help bring the crosses back.
The fire picked the wrong place to Attack, our Motto is We Lead You Follow,the rest get out of our way,The true meaning of Semper Fidelis..Always Faithful..Stand Tall Marines…oooooorrrrrrrraaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!
I am proud to be a member of the Corps. Though there is mention of the “Old Corps” and the “new Corps”, there is but one Corps, the Marine Corps… When a group of Marines get together, there is a Reunion, regardless of the outfit you were in… Semper Fi, my young Brothers, carry on where I left off.
Lacy R Bethea Jr, GySgt USMC Ret
Thank you Marines from a Marine Mom.
What a fantastic tribute to our Marines and all they do. This is wonderful and I am so grateful for our Marines. Looking forward to seeing this in July while we visit our son who is stationed in Camp Pendleton.
Thank you Marines and God Bless you all.
Proud and Honored Marine Mom
Job well done bro’s Semper Fi.
Cpl Goyco Angel A
2nd Bn th Marines G co. 3rd Herd 1990–1992
5th Marines
It doesnt surprise me at all, we take care of our own.
Always have, Always will.
Semper Fi
HONORRING
MARINE GUNNER CWO3
ROGER EDGAR MAKOLANDRA
08-24-1950 01-14-1995
Roger was a fine man, husband, father, and
MARINE. He was stationed there at San Mateo 5th Marines from 89-94 where he retired. I WAS STATIONED AT NAVAL DENTAL CENTER. Both of our sons were born there at Pendleton. He would be so PROUD OF EACH OF YOU (His Marines)! He did 1000 sit ups with a young Pfc on the day before he retired. Any of you know who that was or know Roger? He told me that
“When you can’t carry your pack, it’s time to go”. He was only 44 yrs old when he died.
I never knew about the crosses. Is it possible to honor him now with a cross?
Thank you all for your service. SEMPER FI
Laura B. Makolandra Corn
DTCS/FMF/RDH
US NAVY RETIRED
His picture was on the Front Page of the NAVY TIMES on the first day on the Ground War DESERT STORM. I’d like to be able to get copies of that. I’d appreciate info.
I served with Kilo “3/5” 1st Marine Division in Vietnam! Am Proud to see that they are still the same Elite & Honorable unit!! ——– **Semper Fi** —–
Thank you. God bless you. Semper Fi
Thank you from a Marine mom. My son, daughter and son-in-law are all Marines. Semper Fi
For those who lifted and carried your great honor of labor, did so with others walking along side, strength throughout. There were hundreds of others, that would have been there, but prayed for you and others. There was also another group of Marines in attendence, that you were not able to see, but took part and marched up the hills with you. ” Remember who you are and where you were”. To the Corp.
Awesome job Wardogs! Thank you.
Semper Fi,
To whom it may concern,
My name, “Brandon Whelan” was listed as a source to a quote in regards to the 3/5 crosses being reestablished on the hill in Pendleton. I was there but was not quoted saying any of that which is listed in the blog.
If you could please remove my name completely from being affiliated with that quote I would greatly appreciate it.
Sgt Brandon Whelan
Glad I could be there, ‘Rah!
God bless these Marines for they are truly the most Amazing people on this planet ! My heart was filled with Pride reading this… I salute & Thank them all for what they do for us each and everyday without question !!! I love them all from the bottom of my heart ! I want them to know how much they are Honored , appreciated & loved !!!! Oohrah !!!!!! Semper Fi Marines xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoo
Great pictures. How long until the ACLU chimes in and demands they be removed? There is probably some atheist out there just waiting to pounce.
I remember another person who carried a cross. It was his own. He was Jesus Christ.
Bravo Zulu Marines. This Ex-Sailor is proud of his Marine Brothers.
Semper Fi Gyrene’s
oo-rah
May God bless you for generosity, love of your fellow man, country and God. Your self-sacrifice is inspiring. Thank You
Fuck yeah boots getting hazed, I don’t see a corpsman, who’s the senior man here?
Ooooo rah Semper Fi
From a British Veteran- well done Marines !
I’m so pumped that you guys did this! The devil is already defeated! You all are blessed and highly favored in Jesus name for doing this! One nation under God! Go guys go! Jesus hung out for you, way to hang out with Him!