|
We have received a request to provide a Flag line at the Re-dedication Ceremony at the Freedoms Foundation located in Valley Forge. Here is a few words about the Circle of Trees Memorial and the unfortunate event prior to its construction.
The 7th Engineer Bn. (rein) Assn, Vietnam, has a Memorial at the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, it is called the US Marine Circle of Trees. On March 28th, 1967, we lost 13 Marines in an in-country classroom type situation. They were being refamiliarized on how to disarm a "Bouncing Betty". They were going to disarm and relocate land mines at one end of the Da Nang Airbase. For reasons unknow, a live Betty was used for the demonstration. The instructor thought he had disarmed the mine, when in fact, only disarmed one of the 2 detonators. He tripped the second detonator, and the Betty did what the Betty was supposed to do, it went up and out killing all 13 Marines. The SSgt survived because he was under the blast but was severely injured. To the point, this Memorial was originally dedicated March 30th, 1968. The Memorial consisted of 13 crabapple trees planted in a circle, one tree for each of the 13 Marines, with a granite marker in the center. I found this Memorial in 2011, and we have been visiting it ever since. But noticing 2 names misspelled on the stone, and the 13 trees were starting to disappear, we took on the task of totally rebuilding the Memorial. On March 27th, 2021, at noon, we are having a rededication at that site. . Please note that our group is from all over the US and beyond.
Thank you,
Casualty Officer
7th Engineer Battalion, Vietnam Veterans Assn.
***Please note: Covid 19 protocols such as Mask wearing and social distancing will be in effect***
Main Rally Point: Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, 1601 Valley Forge Road, Phoenixville Pa.,
Main Rally Time: 11:30 am
RC: DennyJ
Secondary Rally Point: Mission BBQ, 120 Village Drive, King of Prussia
Time: 11:00 AM
KSU: 11:15 AM
_________________
RIDING IN MEMORY OF MY DAD, NAVY VET WW2, IN MEMORY OF MY
BROTHER DANIEL, VIET NAM VET, U.S.A.F.
AND IN HONOR OF BROTHERS BILL & RICK, NAVY VETS....THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE!
|
