The Marine Raiders’ Annual Convention
At
The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
The Center of Excellence
At
The newly Dedicated “Raider Hall”
August 2 thru 6, 2005
(fund raiser -article and information)
During World War II, at the height of the Japanese drive to occupy the entire Asian/Pacific region, ruthlessly slaying men women and children, in a path of destruction, rape and pointless, ruthless murder. They had to be stopped, but our Pacific Fleet had been demolished at Pearl Harbor and though we declared war on Japan, we were incapable to retaliate. Token measures were taken, such as Gen. Doolittle’s daring Bomber raid on Tokyo, from the deck of an aircraft carrier. As usual, immediately after WW I, we dismantled our Armed Forces, to save money for social programs, which most Americans of that era shunned, because they found it to be belittling to take government money without working for it.
One of the ideas that was actually put into play and actually worked was the foundation of an American type commando group who could strike suddenly behind enemy lines. President Roosevelt, at Churchill’s urging gave his blessing to this idea and thus, The Marine Corps Raider Battalions were created, by the only armed force in the country capable of fielding such a group from it’s regular personnel, The United States Marine Corps, whose motto was, “The First to Fight.”
Within a short time the Battalion Commanders were selected, Lt. Col. “Red Mike” Edson of the First Raider Battalion and Lt. Col. Evans F. Carlson of the Second Raider Battalion. Their personalities and command style were at opposite ends of the spectrum. Despite their differences, they brought together the toughest group of elite special operations specialists that have ever been constituted. They were the forerunners of the Green Berets, Marine Corps Force Recon and the Navy Seals. They were the first troops landed in the Pacific to attack and annihilate the formerly invincible Japanese. In fact, they often were face to face with the Japanese Landing Force, the Japanese equivalent of the United States Marines and in each of these incidents, the Raiders overcame the enemy. The Raiders relied on extraordinary training, teamwork and highlighted superior fire power. While their overall casualty count was bitterly high, they accounted for a ten to one ratio against the Japanese, after landing behind enemy lines. They were at Guadalcanal, Saipan, Makin, Guam, the Gilbert islands and the Solomon Islands, as well. They were and still are “Legendary Warriors,” akin to the Spartans of ancient Greece.
When they congregate in Quantico, Virginia, these remaining warriors who gave America it’s first victories, will mourn the recent loss of Col. Evans F. Carlson, former Commander of the Second Raider Battalion. He was a Patriot of the first order. Our Prayers go to his family, in their grief.
Their schedule is set to the following activities:
Aug. 2 - Sunset Parade in Richmond
Aug. 3 - Visit to WW II Memorial, Wash. D.C.
Aug. 4 - Luncheon with their ladies at the Clubs of Quantico
Aug. 5 - Memorial Service at Base Chapel, evening at 8th & I
Aug. 6 – Barbecue at The Basic School
If you wish to visit with these legendary men, during their stay, contact the Martial Arts Center of Excellence, for full information. Their web site is at www.tbs.usmc.mil then skip the intro and select martial arts from the list on the left, or call (703) 432-6466/5/4/6467/8/9.