Marines remember those others forgot

[USMCRET6391]

THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Sunday, May 28, 2006
By Kristin Longley

FLINT TWP. - As the sun slowly rose Saturday over the dew-covered graves of once-forgotten soldiers, so did the right hands of the 19 Marine veterans standing at attention in the Flint City Cemetery.

It was a slow, regal salute, one filled with reflection and respect for their comrades - the living and the dead.

Just five or six years ago, few knew about the soldiers buried there, men who served in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and Korea.

It wasn't until the Marine Corps League's Flint Detachment 155 honored the 44 soldiers - gracing their graves with white crosses - that they were recognized. The league estimates there are at least twice that many veterans buried in the cemetery.

Some of the plots have markers, but not all.

Most of the veterans were poor and black, but all were forgotten, buried with thousands of others long ago in what was known as the city's "pauper cemetery," the final resting place for those with no money, no family.

Once a year, the league gathers to remember them in a short ceremony underscored with the national anthem, "Amazing Grace," and, of course, "Taps."

None of the buried veterans were Marines, but that's of no consequence to the men who remember them.

"We honor the veterans here because no one else does," said Paul Martin, cemetery chairman for the league. "We always look after each other."

As the league's chaplain led the small crowd of Marines and civilians in a prayer for the soldiers' souls, riflemen readied their arms.

The first shots of a 21-gun salute echoed over the freshly mowed lawn, but none of the Marines flinched, a throwback to their days in the service.

It is their memories of the wars in which they served that connect them to the men buried here in scattered plots. It is why the league is always reminding the city to mow the lawn and keep the grounds neat.

It is why they will be back again next year.

[AmericanGirl]

God Bless them

[USMC Chuter]

Semper Fi. That's friggin awesome! It's too easy to forget those who died in wars long, long ago. I'm glad they are being recognized.

It has to be mind boggling how many Veterans are buried here and their and no one knows. This is an simply outstanding

[SGRock]

We always here about how we take care of our own, in the Corps. Its good to here how we include all other forces. We kid each other and we boast about how one is better than the other, but we are all brothers.


We take care of our own.

Semper Fi and God Bless