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All: Please help make this a special day by passing
this along. We hope to see as many of you as possible on September
18th, but know if you can’t be there in person, you will
be with all of us in spirit.
U.S. MARINE CORPS TANK MEMORIAL DEDICATION
HONORING ALL MARINE CORPS TANKERS AND THEIR UNITS
1400, 18 SEPTEMBER 2003, FT KNOX, KY.
HOSTED BY THE M.C. DETACHMENT,
FT KNOX AND THE MARINE
CORPS TANKER ASSOCIATION
(MCTA)
- Since 1973, all Marine Corps tankers have been
“BORN” at the U.S. Army Post, Ft Knox.
- The US Army tank memorial park is now integrated
into the U.S. Army’s Armor museum located adjacent to
the “Patton Museum” aboard Ft Knox.
- The official granite entrance has embedded, along
with the official seal of the US Army, the Eagle Globe and
Anchor of the US Marine Corps.
- The CG of the “Home of Armor” has entrusted
in his Command, “the perpetuation of honoring all tankers
and tank units from both the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.”
- The time is long past for the Marine Corps Tank
community to be recognized, alongside such famous Army units
as the 3rd Armored Division and the 7th Cavalry, for their
historic and heroic contributions to our nations security
and their individual as well as unit sacrifice.
Let us all gather then on 18
September 2003 at the “Home of Armor” to
remember / honor our past, look towards the future and demonstrate
to this generation of “newborns” the true meaning
of that great tanker acronym, YAT-YAS
- The cost for a “Regimental” size memorial
will be approximately $12,000.00
- Contributions will be recognized by name and former
unit during the ceremony on the 18th and following within
their respective units, and different military originations.
Leatherneck Magazine will also report on the ceremony
in a feature article to be run in the late fall, early winter.
- Contributions can be sent to
- The Marine Corps Tanker Association National
H.Q., P.O. Box 3077, Oceanside, CA 92054-3077.
- All contributions are tax deductible. PLEASE, clearly
mark your envelopes to read; “Ft Knox, USMC Tanker Memorial.”
The Marine Corps Tanker Association (MCTA) has volunteered
to coordinate the logistics of this fundraising effort and
will acknowledge all contributions with appropriate notification
for tax purposes using their tax ID number. “Tanks”
to the leadership of the MCTA for their efforts and tying
this event into their National convention during the same
week in Louisville, KY. “TANKS” also to the Vietnam
Tanker Association for their fundraising efforts during their
national convention in August. Without these two great organizations,
our efforts might fail, and that is just not an option!
- All former tankers, Corpsman, those ever attached
to a tank unit, former Commanders, Battalion Sergeant Majors,
Battalion Operations Chiefs (Master Gunny’s), are invited
to attend this historic dedication.
- LtCol Ken Estes, USMC Tanker (Ret),
noted military historian and author of several books on Armor,
will be providing all the historic background research for
the memorial. It is envisioned, at this writing, that all
Divisions, and their respective major campaigns / actions
will be identified on the center monument and individual Battalions,
with appropriate campaign participation identified on their
monument, will surround the Division memorial—see tanker
memorial park (Reg A) attachment. This will be a living memorial
that not only remembers and honors our illustrious past, but
also provides for appropriate recognition for the future.
- LtGen Martin R. Steele USMC (Ret)
will be the special guest of Honor. LtGen Steele began his
Marine Corps Career as a PFC with 1st tank Battalion in Viet
Nam and rose to become the highest-ranking tanker on active
duty before his retirement in 1999. He also commanded 1st
Tank Bn from 1986 to 1988. He is also the former Program Manager
(PM TANK) responsible, against great opposition, for the selection
of the M1A1 (common) tank by the Marine Corps—the same
tank we all saw on TV leading the charge into Baghdad with
1st and 2nd Tank Battalions.
Schedule of events for September 18th
2003:
1. 1000 - 1050 Harmon Hall,
aboard Ft Knox: Armor update & Command brief provided by
LtCol Ed Dunlap, USMC Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Detachment,
Ft Knox, Ky.
2. 1100 – 1215 Harmon Hall: Static
display with all entry-level tank crewman, mechanics, and basic
Officer course students on hand along with SNCO Advanced Course
and Master Gunner and Advanced Armor students if available.
3. 1215 – 1220 Movement to Chow
hall—directly across from Harmon Hall
4. 1220 – 1315 Chow with the students
5. 1315 – 1330 Movement to the
Patton Museum
6. 1330 – 1355 Free time within
the Patton Museum
7. 1400 – 1500 USMC Tanker Memorial
dedication—Guest of Honor, LtGen Martin R. Steele, USMC
(Ret)—inclement weather plan will be conducted inside
the Patton museum.
8. 1500 – 1545 Reception, Patton
Museum
9. 1830 -? MCTA convention banquet, Louisville,
KY.
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