Memorial to U.S. Marines Who Died in Global Effort to Eradicate Terrorism Will Be Dedicated Oct. 2

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Center in Pasadena – 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment – will be open to the public Thursday, Oct. 2, at 5 p.m. for the dedication of a memorial to fallen U.S. Marines and Navy corpsmen who made the “ultimate sacrifice in the global effort to eradicate terrorism.”
The center, ordinarily closed to the public, is at 2699 Paloma St. at the northwest corner of Paloma Street and Sierra Madre Boulevard just south of Pasadena High School. Parking is available at Victory Park, half a block from the center. Public entry to the center will be through the gate on Paloma Street.
U.S. Marines and reservists at the center will take time from their normal duties to pause and reflect on the sacrifice of others who have worn the same uniform. They also will be on hand to greet community guests, who are encouraged to see the memorial up close, take photos and participate actively in the event that will conclude with the lowering of the U.S. flag during the evening colors ceremony.
Please RSVP to donald.wright@usmc.mil or 626-398-0295, ext. 1500.
Resting near the flagpole and the entrance to the main building, the memorial is, according to Lt. Col. Donald R. Wright, a source of great pride for the Marines at the center.
“The intent of such a memorial is not to glorify war or even commemorate some great victory of the past. It is meant simply to honor those who have died in service to their country,” said Wright. “We honor their sacrifice and remind ourselves of the need to be ready to answer our nation’s call. We also remind those who have fallen that we have not forgotten them and that we will not let them down.”
Leading the dedication ceremony will be Wright, Lt. Col. Sean N. Day and Sgt. Maj. David E. Lee.
The 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment is an infantry reserve unit that provides trained personnel to augment and reinforce active duty units in times of war, disasters and other situations as national security requires. About 30 active duty and reserve Marines are on staff daily at the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Center in Pasadena. Many live locally and are active in the community year-round.
During monthly training drills there are more than 200 Marines there, with members of the unit staying in local hotels and engaging in commerce throughout Pasadena. 2/23, as it is commonly called by military personnel, also participates in local civic events and military funerals and works in cooperation with the City of Pasadena during local emergencies and natural disasters. 2/23 has been in Pasadena since 2006.
Mayor Bill Bogaard and the Pasadena City Council unanimously voted to formally adopt 2/23 on Nov. 25, 2013, formally recognizing the relationship between the City of Pasadena and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Center, which is on city-owned land.

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