Press Release: Marine Memorial Bell to Arrive in Pensacola on Saturday
(April 27, 2012) Following a bell casting ceremony on Thursday in Cincinnati, the memorial bell for the Marine Aviation Marine Memorial Bell Tower is on its way home to Pensacola.
At the Thursday ceremony, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward, Pensacola District 6 Councilman Brian Spencer joined a team of local Marines at the Verdin Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, and participated in the memorial bell casting ceremony to commemorate the Marine Corps’ “Mission of Mercy†of conducting medical and casualty evacuations (MEDEVAC/CASEVAC) of wounded Marines from the battlefield. After “breaking the mold,” the Verdin Company ground and polished the bell before ringing it at a special ceremony in Cincinnati which included the Mayor of Cincinnati.
“The rapid extraction of wounded Marines from the battlefield and flying them to the nearest field medical service for stabilization is crucial. The patient’s chances of survival are greatest if they receive care within the shortest period of time following a severe injury; it’s called the ‘golden hour.’ Our Marine Aircrews and CASEVAC corpsman willingly accept great risk to ensure their ground brothers are brought safely out of harm’s way to get the care they need” said Colonel Robert Sherrill, commanding officer of Marine Aviation Training Support Group-21 at NAS Pensacola.
“The Bell Tower is an original national memorial which honors all aviation Marines: wrench turners, air traffic controllers, aircrew, wing command and control, wing logistics Marines, expeditionary airfield Marines – absolutely every Marine who made it possible, by twisting a wrench, controlling the air, pushing parts, building expeditionary airfields or crewing an aircraft, to put Marines in the air to fight for Marines on the deck,†said memorial committee leader Colonel Christopher Holzworth, USMC Ret.
Mayor Ashton Hayward remarked on the ceremony. “It was a real honor to join some of our Marines in Cincinnati for the casting of the bell, a critical component of the Marine Aviation Memorial Tower,” said Hayward. “This monument and the memorial bell will be a moving and symbolic tribute to all those who have helped to save our injured Marines. We have fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and children with us today because of the work of these Marines, and I am proud to be a part of honoring them,” said Hayward.
Spencer said he was moved by the experience. “This bell is going to be an inspiration and a symbol of gratitude to the men and women of the United States Marine Corps who work to save the lives of their fellow Marines,” said Spencer. “To be a part of this ceremony and this experience of the actual casting of the bell for the tower is a real honor. It will be a great addition to our city.”
Following the ceremony, the bell was prepared for shipment and is currently being escorted by the Patriot Riders on an overnight transport mission to Pensacola. On Saturday, April 28th at 1 p.m., the bell will make a stop at Mr. Ciano’s Car, Truck and SUV dealership as a tribute to the late Mr. Ciano and his tireless support of Marines and the entire Pensacola community. The media is invited to attend this event.
The memorial bell will be introduced to the public during pre-game festivities at the Blue Wahoos upcoming game on Friday, May 4.
The bell will be transported to Veterans Memorial Park on May 27 to participate in the groundbreaking event immediately following the Memorial Day ceremony, which starts at 1p.m. “The Memorial Bell Tower’s final placement and ceremony on August 20 will be a great day for Marines and for the entire greater Pensacola Bay area community in welcoming the Marine Aviation Memorial Tower to the Park,” said Mr. John Pritchard, director of the Veterans Memorial Park Foundation.
For complete information regarding the Marine Aviation Memorial Bell Tower, please visit: http://www.HonorOurMarines.org
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Editor’s note: Looks like Councilman Brian Spencer is now pro-Marine. At least, someone is willing to admit they made a mistake and try to rectify the situation.