World Famous San Diego Bulldog Detachment

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At its May, 2011 Regular Business Meeting, San Diego Marine Corps League Detachment #835 got word that a San Diego Marine Corps veteran who wanted to join the Marine Corps League was in the San Diego VA Medical Center with end-stage bone cancer.

The Marine was Roger Porterfield.

Everybody who goes through MCRD San Diego knows the yellow footprints next to the receiving barracks. Some are aware that the forward, starboard set of footprints, now moved to a different location for public display, were made of brass and carried the signature of President John F. Kennedy. Those brass footprints are the work of Marine Porterfield.

In the fall of 1963, President Kennedy came to MCRD on an inspection tour. In a private moment, the President went to the receiving barracks and stood on the first set of yellow footprints, apparently contemplating what it might mean to be a newly reported Marine recruit. Corporal Porterfield, assigned to the receiving barracks at the time, observed the President, and decided to memorialize the occasion. In the weeks following President Kennedy’s MCRD visit, Corporal Porterfield obtained brass plates, had them cut to the size and shape of President Kennedy’s footprints, had President Kennedy’s signature engraved in them and, with permission, replaced the first set of yellow footprints with them. The brass footprints remained in place for years, and were later removed for public display near the MCRD Command Museum.

Marine Porterfield later participated in early Marine Corps operations in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged from the Corps in the late 1960s.

On 21 May 2011, the Saturday following the business meeting, San Diego Bulldog Detachment Commandant Roger Siebert and four other Bulldogs went to Marine Porterfield’s hospital room to induct him into the Marine Corps League. The Bulldogs stayed for about an hour, discussing things of interest to Marines, and enjoyed Marine Porterfield’s good cheer and dignity. The Bulldogs inducted him into the League and the Detachment, and departed, leaving new League member Porterfield with memorabilia from the visit.

Several weeks later, the Bulldogs received word that Marine Porterfield had succumbed to his illness.

The 10^th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City is just a few days away.   It has been ten years, how quick they have gone by.

Every generation has an event that seems to define it, for me it is the events of September the 11^th 2001.  I was a sophomore in high school and it was a beautiful, clear day.  I woke up to my alarm at 0645 saying that a plane had flown in the Twin towers.  I turned on the television just in time to see the second plane hit.  I knew the world had changed.  Looking back on it now, it still seems strange for someone to have such a hatred of something, to cause so much suffering and death from the attacks themselves to two separate wars.

We should remember what happened and why.  We should never forget.

There are many events going on around the country this week to commemorate the 10^th anniversary.  Here are some that are going on in our area.  Whether or not you participate in them, pause, take a moment to reflect on what has defined us, defined America for the last decade.

Tenth Anniversary Memorial Service 9/11 Onboard the USS Midway Museum- On the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center we will pay tribute and honor our fallen heroes. There will be an 11-star wreath laying ceremony, a US Navy flyover, a reading of the names accompanied by a tolling of the bells, a twin helicopter flyover, a twenty one gun salute along with additional tributes. The ceremony will begin at 2:30 PM on Sunday, September 11, 2011 on the Flight Deck of the USS Midway Museum.

Freedom Walk 2011 on Sept. 11, 2011 at 7:30 a.m. – On this same day throughout the country citizens will gather to participate in Freedom Walks. The act of walking together as a nation will be unique in design and execution, uniting our citizens behind a commitment to never forget the lives we lost in the attacks on our country.

Inside The 9/11 Commission – UC San Diego’s Convocation will feature a keynote speech from university alumnus Timothy Roemer, an American political figure who recently served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of India after serving in the United States House of Representatives and as a 9/11 Commissioner. Roemer, along with nine other high-profile Americans on the 9/11 commission, interviewed 1,200 witnesses and examined 2.5 million documents.

9/11 Heroes Run – The 9/11 Heroes Run at Mission Trails is bringing communities together throughout the country this September 11th. The goal is to never forget the sacrifices of all of the Heroes of September 11th – veteran, first responder, and civilian.

Bell Ringing at 10 a.m. On Sunday, Sept. 11, fire, police, churches and businesses are encouraged to ring bells or sirens for one full minute as we cease all regular activity and “stop and remember.”

9/11 Tenth Anniversary Observance – California Center for the Arts and the City of Escondido invite the community to a special tribute to commemorate the events of 9/11, and to honor all those who lost their lives that tragic day. The event will include a reading of the names of those who died on 9/11, a concert as well as patriotic arts and crafts. Free

Oceanside Remembers 9/11 - The City of Oceanside will host a free event to honor those lost in 9/11. Music as well as tribute speakers will be showcased at the event. There will be free U.S Flags to the first thousand attendees. Free.

American Salute – San Diego Chamber Music Society Brass Quartet performs selections by John Philip Sousa, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Scott Joplin, many others for Fall Concert Series. Free.  At the central library,  820 E St, 3^rd Floor Auditorium at 1430.

9/11 Memorial Concert - Combined choirs from First Presbyterian Church, La Jolla Presbyterian Church, San Diego Symphony members present “Memorial” by René Clausen (written in response to 9/11) and “Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace)” by Vaughan Williams.  Held at the First Presbyterian Church, 320 Date St at 1800.

At the the July, 2011 Regular Business Meeting, Junior Past California Department Commandant John Vorhies inducted Gunnery Sergeant Nick Popaditch into the World Famous San Diego Bulldog Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

Gunny Popaditch led an active Marine Corps career as a tanker and a Drill Instructor.  As a tanker, he commanded the lead tank at Bagdad’s Firdos Square  when the statue of Saddam Hussein was torn down.  His awards include the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.

Detachment Marines Earle and Kranz fought at Iwo Jima.  With the Gunny, the Detachment now has a Marine who fought at Bagdad.

WELCOME ABOARD, GUNNY!

Before stepping off: From left in back are Brillo Licari, John Vorhies, Roger Siebert, David and Cynthea Brown, Virginia Mcdougall and Steve Coe.  Looking good in front is Al Sandoval.

 
 
 

One of the Fourth Tank Battalion Marines who made our parade possible.  These Marines volunteer for this duty.  This one was obviously glad to be there.  We are fortunate to have them!

 
 
 
 
Stepping off.  In the foreground, from left, are Murray Jones, Brian Ehlers, Jocelyn Parmenteau, and Brillo Licari.  In the middle distance, ahead of Murray, is Al Sandoval on point.

 
 
 

The crowd.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Reviewing Party.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Participation Award.  The Bulldogs have a large number of awards such as this, just waiting to be put on display in a glass case!

This clip says it all.  The Bulldogs had a great Fourth of July in Coronado!

Marine Ted Corbett of the World famous San Diego Bulldog Detachment was named 2011 California Detachment Marine of the Year at the Grand Banquet at the Department Convention in San Diego. Marine Corbett retired from the Marine Corps fter a thirty year career which encompassed, in his words, “all three Divisions and all three Air Wings”. He has been active in the Marine Corps League since 1955. He helped found the San Diego Bulldog Detachment in 1992, helped make it “World Famous”, is currently its Judge Advocate and is one of its Past Commandants. He has held a number of offices in the Department of California, and is its current Chaplain. Congratulations Ted!