Photo By Sgt. Dwight Henderson | Marines from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine...... read more read more
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HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Marines from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, participated in a Remembrance Day ceremony aboard Forward Observation Base Delhi, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. 8.
The provincial reconstruction team, a multinational organization which coordinates the civilian effort and civilian development, the commanding officers of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, and 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, and the commander of Regimental Combat Team 7, Col. Randall P. Newman, attended along with members of the Afghan national security forces including Lt. Col. Gulai Khan, the police chief, Lt. Col. Gul Agha Amiri, commanding officer of 7th Kandak Afghan border police, Mir Hamza National Directorate for Security district chief, and Lt. Col. Abdul Hai, commanding officer of 6th Kandak, 3rd Brigade, 205th Corps, Afghan national army.
The ceremony, headed by Peter Chilvers, a British native and the stabilization advisor for the PRT, consisted of a few readings from the chaplain, a lying of a wreath on the monument, the playing of Amazing Grace, and two minutes of silence. The two minutes of silence will also be recognized throughout the commonwealth, Nov. 11.
"It means a great deal here in Garmsir," said Chilvers. "This place was a British base. The British and U.S. operated and fought together here, and now it's the U.S. fighting here."
A small monument made in 2007 by the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, served as the centerpiece to the ceremony
It features a British flag that flies above a small cross, which sits on top of a small mound of rocks held together by cement.
On the front of the rocks lies a plaque with 14 names inscribed into it. Above it, another inscription reads, "To commemorate those members of the British Armed Forces that gave their lives in Garmsir District."
Remembrance Day is celebrated on the Sunday closest to Nov. 11, and is meant to commemorate the ending of World War I, known for ending on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Similar to our Veterans Day and Memorial Day, Remembrance Day is celebrated throughout the Commonwealth, and is meant to remember all the veterans and victims of war.
"It was a tremendous honor to participate in the British ceremony," said Lt. Col. John E. McDonough, the commanding officer of 2/2. "I feel really fortunate that we could share that special day with them. 2/8, the British, and 2/2, as well as the commanding officer of RCT-7, all coming together at Camp Delhi, it was a great way to commemorate that day."
| Date Taken: | 11.11.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.11.2009 08:17 |
| Story ID: | 41413 |
| Location: | HELMAND PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 951 |
| Downloads: | 857 |
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