“Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”

Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN, Pacific Fleet communiqué, 16 March 1945

Fallen Marine Program:  The Fallen Marine Program is one of the most heartfelt and rewarding programs of the League Detachment.  When an honorably discharged, reserve, or active duty Marine passes away, a Detachment participating in the “Fallen Marine Program” will attend the visitation or funeral and present the primary next of kin, usually the spouse, with an embossed MCL certificate that recognizes the deceased Marine’s service to the Nation and Corps.

1-Honors at Casket Funeral-services1-folding_flag-300x1992-mil-funeral bugler4-funeral honors4-Firing Detail-funeral-services

The presentation of the Certificate is often unexpected by the family and the fact that Marines who may not have known the deceased, but are fellow Marines, and come to the ceremony to show appreciation and respect for his or her service is one of those moments that makes one proud to have participated. Funeral Details.

When a Marine with a discharge under honorable conditions dies, the funeral home should notify USMC Casualty Branch to request funeral honors.  At the minimum, the Marine Corps will provide three Marines; two to fold the flag and present it to the primary next of kin, and one to play Taps.  Depending upon the schedule, distance, and commitments, the Marine Corps may also provide an Honor Guard to provide the rifle volleys.

VOLUNTEER:  Honor Guard – Be part of a team that participates in Military Funeral Honors for our fallen veterans. If interested, call David Swickard at 208-229-3043 – (Year Round)

“Fortunately, God loves the Marines.”

Another Marine reporting sir!

Treasure Valley Detachment, Living Memorial

Guidance rules for names placement on stones.
For names to be added, members are required to be a paid up current member of the Treasure Valley Detachment #878 at time of death. Names will be added LAST, FIRST, middle INITIAL and date of death. Asterisk for *Charter members. (Members who signed the original founding charter, April 1994, 36 members). (See page Bylaws & Administrative/Charter)

Listed below are members of the Treasure Valley Detachment who have reported in for the last time.    *Charter Members

First Marble Monument, (front)  total names 24
Name Passed Name Passed Name Passed
  Rocks, Dorsey Aug 3, 2000   Green, Robert Nov 17, 2006   Nuttall, Robbie Sep 6, 2008
  Cummings, Earl Jun 1, 2001   Strong, Garry May 8, 2007 *Gratton, Gary J. Jun 29, 2009
*Daly, Robert Jan 12, 2002 *Roberson, James J. Jul 8, 2007   Beau, Jerome J.C. Feb 2, 2010
*Evans, Warren Nov 13, 2002   Shafer, Jerry Bob Aug 18, 2007   Butler, Jr. Thomas T. Feb 24, 2011
  Cusic, Vance Jul 23, 2003   Hill, Angus F. Nov 15, 2007   Schaney, Robert J. Apr 6, 2011
  House, Elmer Jan 5, 2004   Kee, Frederick V. Apr 1, 2008   Boulton, Craig P. Apr 23, 2011
  Nelson, Woddy Nov 2, 2004   Bright, Murl Apr 8, 2008   Rawleigh, Hursh M. Aug 25, 2011
  Jones, Richard Dec 25, 2004   Foster, Larry D. Apr 21, 2008   Cross, Richard D. Aug 29, 2012
Second Marble Monument, (left side)  total names 37
Name Passed Name Passed Name Passed
*Poulson, David L. Jul 15, 2013   Anguio, Richard F. Nov 22, 2016   Smith, Robert Jan 13, 2020
  Johnson, William B. Aug 22, 2013   O’Hara, Michael R. Jan 21, 2017   Gray, Robert F. Mar 20, 2020
  Hernandez, Frank L. Apr 21, 2014   Robinson, Gary G. Mar 30, 2017   Schroeder, William R. Oct 26, 2020
*Stout, Buckley L. May 12, 2014   Jackson, Arthur J. MOH Jun 14, 2017   L’Abbe, John L. Dec 27, 2020
  Wyndham, Dale D. M. Jun 5, 2014   Clark, Alfred P. Jul 4, 2017   Williams, Gordon H. Jan 30, 2021
  Smith, William L. Jan 31, 2015   Strawn, Arnold W. Apr 13, 2018   Hanson, Gerald A. Apr 12, 2021
  Garrett, Homer R.  Mar 27, 2015   Jones, James L. July 11, 2018   Meade, Michael L. Dec 26, 2021
  Stonebraker, Walter R. Apr 3, 2015   Chester, Robert W. Oct 27, 2018   Smith, Walter S. Feb 10, 2022
  Thomson, Rupert F. Nov 12, 2015   Dunlap, Donald G. Jan 20, 2019
  Short, Cecil R. Apr 3, 2016   Hisaw, Tommy G. Feb 17, 2019
  Johnson, Thomas C. Apr 20, 2016   Elliott, Robert K. Apr 26, 2019
  Schumaker, Gary M. May 3, 2016 *Grigsby, Michael L. Nov 21, 2019
  Densley, Clair D. May 16, 2016   Kwan, Harold B. Dec 19, 2019
Marine and family w-flag
Third Marble Monument, (right side)  total names 37
Name Passed Name Passed Name Passed
Forth Marble Monument, (back) total names 37
Name Passed Name Passed Name Passed

Marine Prayer

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will.  Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear.  Protect my family.

Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm.  Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance.  Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me.  Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.

Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.
Marine reports to angleMarine Guasrd stairway to hevan

These are images of the original dedication of the living memorial in 2003.  The original bronze placard did not weather well and was replaced by a granite stone in 2005 it remains on view (unless temporarily removed for names to be added) at the Boise Veterans Hospital outside of the Volunteer entrance.

   

Location of the Marine Corps League Living Memorial is at the Veterans Administration Hospital in front of entrance to the volunteer office.

The three new stones joined the current stone on 14 March 2012 and were placed facing out so a viewer could walk around to view all names.

First stone holds 24 names with the last name added in September 2012.  The other 3 stones each hold 32 names each=96 total space for 120 names.  First stone dedicated in 2004 had names added from 2000 to then full by 2012 (12 years).  Estimate of use 45 plus years.

Monument Change 14 Mar 2013 1Monument Change 14 Mar 2012 14Monument Change 14 Mar 2013 4Monument Change 14 Mar 2013 5

Marine Arnie Strawn assists in supervising the installation.

Monument Change 14 Mar 2012 26Monument Change 14 Mar 2013 23Monument Change 14 Mar 2012 29Monument Change 14 Mar 2012 32

Marine Walt Modler thanks Phil Fouts of Boise Valley Monument Company for his and his staffs efforts insetting up the newest monument stones 14 Mar 2013.

 

Monument Change 14 Mar 2013 41

Sight view summer 2013Monument Change 14 Mar 2013 39

In August 2018 a pipe broke under the tree and monuments, all had to be moved. The grounds maintenance personal of the VA Hospital saved the monument, but the tree was lost.

The tree was replaced and the stones were moved to a new location in front of building 67 on the path to the gazebo.

“Fortunately, God loves the Marines.”

R Admiral US Navy, Samuel Eliot Morrison, 1951

Grateful appreciation to Mr. Phil Fouts of the Boise Valley Monument
Company without their years of assistance and efforts this Living Memorial
would not be possible.

Boise Valley Monument Company
Mr. Phil Fouts
1115 N. Illinois Ave.
Caldwell, Idaho
208-454-9532
[email protected]