Uncommon Commitment

With 1/400^th of a second of exposure on film at the top of Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima, AP photographer Joe Rosenthal created one of the most viewed photographs of the 20^th century.  The shot of five Marines and one Navy Corpsman raising the flag in the early days of this historic battle has become closely aligned with the identity of the Marine Corps. When it came time to plan and build the Marine Corps Memorial, the image of the flag raising was selected as the central theme. Sculptor Felix de Weldon designed and constructed a scrupulously detailed statue to be installed on a knoll in Washington DC that is prominently visible from many points throughout the city.  Since its dedication on November 10, 1954, the massive bronze replication of Rosenthal’s iconic photograph is a cherished destination for Marines and civilians alike.

Fall River, Massachusetts is long distance from Washington, DC but relatively close to Newport, Rhode Island, the hometown of Felix de Weldon, creator of the Marine Corps Memorial.  Brian Cunha, a Fall River attorney, had done work for de Weldon and eventually acquired the de Weldon home in Newport.  Among the personal effects that remained in the home when Cunha took possession was a model of the Marine Corps Memorial statue in 2/3 scale.   Cunha donated the model to his hometown city of Fall River where a fundraising drive was conducted to have the model bronzed and installed in Bicentennial Park.  The model was acquired in 1995.  After a fundraising drive raised sufficient funds to have it bronzed and installed, the completed statue was dedicated on November 6, 2005, nearly fifty one years after the original. 

The Fall River Iwo Jima Memorial Statue

Bruce Aldrich is a Marine from Somerset, near Fall River, who served four years from 1958 to 1962. Aldrich had attended the dedication of the Fall River Iwo Jima Memorial.  A member at large in the Marine Corps League, he was instrumental in starting up a Marine Corps League Detachment in the Fall River area, working closely with Richard Gore from the state leadership team. Honoring a local Marine who had been killed in Iraq in 2004, the new detachment was chartered as the Marine Corps League L/Cpl John J. Van Gyzen IV Detachment #1285.  In the few years since its creation, the Van Gyzen Detachment has established itself as a visible presence in veterans’ charities and events in the Fall River area.  Bruce Aldrich has continued as Commandant since the detachment was chartered. 

Like most Marines, Bruce Aldrich has a keen sense of the history and contributions of the Corps and an equally keen need to take action when needed.  It has been nearly seventy years since the fierce assault on Iwo Jima.  Time and the natural progression of life are taking those troops who survived the fighting to take the island.  Although the local Iwo Jima Statue was a rare treasure, it had fallen into disrepair.  Planned signage and lighting were never installed and the site degraded into a hangout for youth who had none of the commitment and drive of those depicted in the statue.  Vandalism of the statue and the grounds was common.  Aldrich arranged a meeting with the mayor to discuss the condition of the statue and to urge the city to follow through on commitments that were established by resolution.

Van Gyzen Detachment  members with the statue

A bricklayer by trade, Bruce enlisted the support of the bricklayers’ union as well as the electrical and laborers’ unions.  Rather than wait for city officials to meet their obligations, Aldrich and the Van Gyzen Detachment mobilized their own working party to get the monument back in shape. The unions donated time and equipment and supplemented the efforts of Marine Corps League members to bring the monument back to the condition that it deserves.  With this volunteer force, lights were installed, landscaping was added, and the memorial area became a desirable destination again.  The city followed through with appropriate signage that enabled more tourism, drawing on the population that visits Battleship Cove and the popular nearby carousel.  Seeing the results that a few committed and motivated Marines can create, the Mayor suggested that Bruce Aldrich and the Van Gyzen Detachment take over maintaining the statue.  Since that transition was made, Van Gyzen Detachment members make a point of visiting the memorial frequently to keep an eye on it.  Vandalism is virtually eliminated and the site is a desirable for visitors under the detachment's guidance.

To last in proper condition, memorials of this type require maintenance.  In 2013, the detachment hired a monument company to properly clean and wax the statue.  Using local connections, they were able to borrow a lift platform that saved $2500 of the projected cost.  To support the expense of maintaining the statue and the immediate area around it, the detachment has initiated a program of selling engraved bricks that are installed in the park.  For $50, donors can have their legacy continued in the shadow of the Iwo Jima statue.   Bruce Aldrich and Van Gyzen Detachment members install the bricks and continue to monitor the memorial area. 

Volunteer bricklayers

As of September 1, 2014, 650  bricks have been sold,  the proceeds going to the Iwo Jima monument fund.  

From an unknown and decaying installation a few years ago, the Fall River Iwo Jima Memorial has become a welcoming destination for area residents, veterans’ services, history buffs, and tourists to the Fall River area.  What began with a split second of light hitting film in the midst of a historic battle has become a fitting tribute to the sacrifice and valor of the troops who fought and died to capture a fiercely defended island.  What Joe Rosenthal and Felix de Weldon created has been preserved through the uncommon commitment of Commandant Bruce Aldrich and the John Van Gyzen Detachment.  We are proud to acknowledge their effort and honored to have this piece of history available to area visitors.  Well done, Van Gyzen Marines.

Massachusetts Marine Corps League Marines of the Year

Each year, Marine Corps League Detachments select a member to be Marine of the Year.  In this space, we will recognize those Marines who have been chosen by their peers as having gone the extra mile in exemplifying the ideals of the Marine Corps.

Semper Fi, Mac

When John “Mac” MacEntegart’s father was transferred in a corporate move from Opa-Locka, Florida to the metrowest area of Boston just as John began high school, it required a lot of adjustment for John and the family.  Holliston High School was different from the experience in Florida, but after graduating in 1965, John was able to find his way to the Cape beaches  for an extended vacation while he weighed future options.  In 1966, the growing conflict in Viet Nam was increasingly likely to be part of his future.  Taking matters into their own hands, John and a buddy, Jimmy Mann, found the local recruiter and joined the Marine Corps with the guarantee that they would go to boot camp together.

At that time, the trip to Parris Island was made on a troop train that progressed down the East Coast, picking up Privates as it made its way to Yemassee, SC.  Yemassee is a scenic Southern town that is steeped in history and tourist sites.  Those sites were seen by the recruits only as a blur from the buses that brought them to the yellow footprints at Parris Island.  Once on base, John and Jimmy had the experience that is common to most Marines, graduating with orders to further training, John to infantry, Jimmy to the air wing.  With the Viet Nam situation continuing to heat up, virtually all Parris Island graduates were destined for those shores.

Completing advanced training, Mac received orders to H&S Company, 8^th Marines.  As the unit’s needs were for M40 106 mm recoilless rifle and mortar operators, Mac was cross trained on those weapons, as well as receiving training on operating the Mule, a Viet Nam era utility that carried the M40.  His training was completed in time for Mac to deploy on a Mediterranean Cruise that would include port calls in numerous European locations, including Rome, Corsica and Greece.  The unit arrived in Greece on the day in 1967 the revolution led by the Greek military toppled the government.  While that event shortened the visit to Greece, Mac was able to see other ports in more detail.  In Corsica, the 8^th Marines participated in joint operations with the French Foreign Legion.  As a portentous comment, Legionnaires shared with the Marines that their likely future experience in Viet Nam was probably going to be unsuccessful.   History appears to support that prediction.

Returning back to the states, Mac took leave prior to reporting on the West Coast for further duty.  As American troops had experience mounting losses, troops from 8^th Marines were transferred in large numbers.  As both 4^th Marines and 9^th Marines were shorthanded, Mac and his unit were divided roughly evenly between them.   Joining A/1/4 in the DMZ, then Corporal McEntagert was designated as a 60MM mortarman.  With no staff NCO’s or Lieutenants available, Mac became the section leader and was promoted to Sergeant soon thereafter. 

Mac had the good fortune to serve his tour without injury, but not without action.  In 1968, the war was being heavily contested throughout Viet Nam.  In the vicinity of Dong Ha, ¼ was sent to assist ARVN units that were struggling against strong NVA attack.  While providing mortar support to defend against NVA assaults, Mac went beyond what might have been expected.  For separate actions in June and July 1968, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V device.

Coming back to the states and his fiancé, Judy, Mac again reported to Camp Lejeune.  With the overseas deployment still active, many units were stretched for NCO’s but were shorthanded enough that Sergeants were still pulling KP and guard duty.  Noticing that 2^nd Recon had a slot, Mac volunteered for that and joined the unit based 9 miles off the main base.   With assignment to Recon came additional training at Jungle Warfare School and Amphibious Assault School.  There would have been assignment to Jump School but the standard rotation put Mac’s unit on a Caribbean Cruise that brought him to numerous ports in the tropics.   With diving off Puerto Rico and landing in Honduras, Mac was able to continue seeing the world, courtesy of Uncle Sam. 

Shortly after this cruise, Mac transitioned to reserve duty with 1/25.  In the period before separating in 1970, he had returned to the Boston area periodically to take the Civil Service exam and to get initial training as a firefighter.   He also married Judy, who had been with him since High School.  His father in law was a firefighter and strongly endorsed it as a path for Mac.  While still considering a return to active duty, Mac joined the Framingham Fire Department, pursued education part-time, and continued in the Reserves.   When he and Judy found that they were to be the parents of twins, return to active duty became less realistic and Mac separated from the Corps.  For thirty years, he continued with the Fire Department, working additional jobs in lumber delivery and roofing to supplement it.  He and Judy added a third child to the family, Judy pursued a career in teaching, and the Florida transplant became a New Englander.

Through contacts in the Fire Department and from friends in the area, Mac was introduced to the Marine Corps League when a detachment was chartered in the metrowest area.  Initially a passive participant, Mac was gradually drawn in to formal roles.  Appointment as Chaplain led to increased involvement, culminating in service as Commandant from 2010 to 2012.  Mac has also been active at the State level, serving as Sergeant at Arms and Quartermaster.  He continues to be active in elected office and is recognized as the go-to expert on procedure and conducting meetings.

The motto of the 1st Battalion  4^th Marines is “Whatever it takes”.  For all who deal with Mac , it is clear that he took that to heart.  As a person who has worked multiple jobs at a time to benefit his family, Mac also has a long history of leadership in the local Boy Scout organization.  MCL activities throughout the state see Mac on board with a willing hand and a get-it –done attitude.  His detachment knows Mac as one of the mainstays. Always there for any detachment effort, Mac is the model for MCL members and leaders.  A collector of military equipment and vehicles, Mac and his 1944 Marine Corps Jeep is a regular presence at veterans’ observances and civic events, rarely turning down a request.   Metrowest Detachment #1037 is blessed to have this Marine on board and honored to recognize him as the detachment Marine of the Year.  Semper Fi, Mac.