Click on this thumbnail picture to see a more detailed imageSome years back Association Member Brigadier
General William Weise approached the membership of the Second Battalion, 4th
Marines Association, Inc. with the idea of placing a monument dedicated to our
beloved Second Battalion, 4th Marines. The memorial would be located within the 135 acre
compound of the
National Museum of the Marine Corps in a
place known as
Semper Fidelis Memorial Park. The park will be a place of remembrance and reflection dedicated to
honoring the service of all Marines. The Museum is
located at 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, in the Quantico area.
DESCRIPTION of
2D BATTALION, 4TH MARINES
MONUMENT
Background:
The general membership of the 2/4 Association voted to erect a suitable monument to honor Marines and Sailors of the Second Battalion, 4th Marines at Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, Quantico, Virginia, adjacent to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. A Committee of four (B/Gen. Bill Weise, Lt.Col. Fritz Warren, Major Dale Robinson, and Corporal Jim Mazy) was appointed by 2/4 Association, Inc. President Jack Petrowsky. The committee was tasked to come up with a proposed monument design and submit it to the general membership for approval. At the 2006 Reunion, a proposed design was submitted to and approved by the members. The design has also been approved by the President, Marine Corps University and the Marine Corps Heritage foundation for installation and inclusion within Semper Fidelis Memorial Park.
Description:
Click on this thumbnail picture to see a more detailed image
The approved design (created by CWO4 Edward Sere, USMC retired) consists of three large, four-inch-thick granite panels on which 2/4 Marine riflemen of different eras will be permanently etched. The riflemen in combat gear are the work of renowned artist, Colonel Charles Waterhouse, USMCR (Retired). The etching will be done by artists at the Modlich Monument Company, Columbus, Ohio. The center panel will be eight feet tall at center and three feet wide and contain the figure of a present day 2/4 rifleman charging forward, carrying the US Flag and his rifle. The side panels will be slightly less than four feet wide and vary from six to four feet in height. The side panels will be attached to the corners of the front panel at a slight angle. Facing the monument, the left panel will contain an early WWII 2/4 Marine and a latter WWII 2/4 Marine rifleman depicting 2/4 participation in the 1942 defense of the Philippines and later WWII battles after reconstitution of the 4th Marines. The right side panel will have a Desert Storm rifleman and a Vietnam machine gunner. The side panel figures will be slightly smaller than the center figure. The arrangement of the figures depicts the fighting spirit and tradition of valor being handed down from generation to generation. The 2/4 logo will be located just below the current day Marine. Around and beneath the logo will be inscribed, “The Spirit and Legacy of the Magnificent Bastards of the 2d Battalion, 4th Marines”.
Location:
The monument will located along a beautifully wooded trail in Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, adjacent to the magnificent National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico, “The Crossroads of the Corps”. The wooded trail will be anchored at one end by a Memorial Chapel and at the other end by a pond with a fountain.
FUTURE PLANS FOR THE 2/4 MONUMENT AREA INCLUDE RECOGNITION OF OUR NAVY CORPSMEN, DOCTORS AND CHAPLAINS, AND OUR SIX MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS.