MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(October 10, 2003) -- A slow, soaking drizzle fell over Camp Pendleton's 11 Area Parade Field Friday as the 1st Marine Division gathered to render final honors to 39 Marines killed during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

"We gather today to honor the real cost of our freedom," said Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis, 1st Marine Division commanding general. "We marched beside these young men to destroy ... evil. We will recall they kept their honor clean."

Thirty-nine desert camouflaged helmets, atop 39 inverted rifles adorned with sets of identification tags bearing the names of fallen Marines, lined the center of the field. In front of them, 39 sets of boots remained, never to be filled again.

Each fallen Marine received a final, solitary salute as part of the broader service. Thirty-nine Marines in desert cammies and combat gear took the field, each positioning himself in front of a rifle. One by one, each rendered a slow salute, in cadence with the announcement of each honoree's name and hometown, while the 1st Marine Division band softly played "Eternal Father."

In all, they were among 85 Marines and sailors assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force killed during OEF and OIF, which included service members from Task Force Tarawa, based in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Friday's memorial was the second held by 1st Marine Division last week. A similar ceremony unfolded aboard Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.

"We were roommates," Lance Cpl. Johnny Barnes said of the Marine he came to honor - Lance Cpl. Jason A. Tetrault.

"He was cool," Barnes said. "He had these (nicknames) for me... just the way he talked. He had a real deep voice. He was real cool."

Barnes said Tetrault was more than a friend. He was a companion, a mentor, an extended family member and a role model.

"He was somebody to look up to," Barnes added. "I used to visit his family. He was motivated..., hard worker. He'd work all night. Sometimes he'd sleep at work. Once he set his mind on doing something, he would do it."

Tetrault's family came to the first memorial at Twentynine Palms, but chose not to attend the memorial here. It's too difficult for the family, Barnes said. It's almost too much to bear himself.

"They took it real hard. I wasn't expecting that," said Barnes, adding that the service brought the family's grief to a head."

Still, Barnes said the memorial was fitting as a final tribute to Marines such as Tetrault. It was somber yet respectful and preserved the dignity of Marines who proudly served, he said.

"It's nice that we let the family know we haven't forgotten about them, because it's hard to deal with," Barnes said. "It's good to have a ceremony like this. It does help in the long run."

Surrounding each fallen Marine are stories of friendship and loss.

Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez entered the United States illegally when he was 14-years old. He was searching for a better life. He found a new family in the Marine Corps.

"They are our extended family," said Nora Mosquera, Gutierrez's foster mother. "Basically that is what the Marine Corps is and it will always be our extended family. He was very, very proud to be a Marine. What the Marine Corps stands for - that is what he stood for. It was his meaning of life."

The gray skies and stark emptiness of the field served as solemn reminders members of the Corps' ranks were gone. Mothers and fathers extended hands to Marines escorting the families. Identification tags were collected in moments of silence as families viewed the markers honoring their Marines.

For most of the service, families sat in grandstands that faced the field. Later, they were invited to take the field and visit each memorial.

The ceremony was moving not just for families, but also for the Marines who came to honor their comrades.

"Reading the names of our fallen Marines was the hardest thing I've had to do in my entire career," said Sergeant Maj. Wayne R. Bell, 1st Marine Division's sergeant major.

A plaque will soon be added to honor the fallen in OIF next to the parade field. It will join those for World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm.

"It shows them that the Marine Corps has not forgotten about them, and will never forget about them," Bell said. "The sacrifices that their sons gave to the Corps and the country will never, ever be forgotten. We will never, ever forget them, and that's what I tell each of the parents. We will try to help them out in any way we can."

Sgt. Heuston
MCB Camp Pendleton