WEBVTT 00:00.540 --> 00:02.373 We welcome you to the retirement 00:02.373 --> 00:04.699 ceremony of Sergeant Major Deane Rees , 00:05.179 --> 00:07.290 who will retire from the Marine Corps 00:07.290 --> 00:09.930 after more than 24 years of honorable 00:09.930 --> 00:13.060 and faithful service . Please rise for 00:13.060 --> 00:15.079 the invocation given by Lieutenant 00:15.079 --> 00:17.899 Timin Keller , Chaplain Corps , United 00:17.899 --> 00:21.870 States Navy . Let us 00:21.870 --> 00:25.290 pray . Almighty God , as we join 00:25.290 --> 00:27.234 together to celebrate the faithful 00:27.234 --> 00:29.401 service of Sergeant Major Reese , it's 00:29.401 --> 00:31.568 fitting that we take just a moment and 00:31.568 --> 00:33.734 turn our hearts and minds toward you . 00:33.734 --> 00:35.679 Thank you for your sustaining hand 00:35.679 --> 00:37.790 throughout his career . For those who 00:37.790 --> 00:40.012 helped him as mentors and supervisors , 00:40.012 --> 00:42.234 may this ceremony be a reminder to them 00:42.234 --> 00:44.457 and all of us of the value of investing 00:44.457 --> 00:46.568 in others . I thank you for the peers 00:46.568 --> 00:48.346 who shared a variety of burdens 00:48.346 --> 00:50.568 throughout these last 24 years , making 00:50.568 --> 00:52.790 it more exciting and lighthearted along 00:52.790 --> 00:54.846 the way . For those whom he mentored 00:54.846 --> 00:56.568 and guided , may they well and 00:56.568 --> 00:58.679 faithfully follow in his footsteps in 00:58.679 --> 01:00.846 service to our great country . For his 01:00.846 --> 01:02.790 family , I ask a special prayer of 01:02.790 --> 01:04.623 blessing as they have served and 01:04.623 --> 01:06.679 sacrificed alongside him in the good 01:06.679 --> 01:08.980 and bad times . With this closing 01:08.980 --> 01:11.091 chapter , I ask that the preparations 01:11.091 --> 01:13.313 for the next chapter work out according 01:13.313 --> 01:15.536 to plan and that transition be smooth . 01:15.660 --> 01:18.010 As a new normal comes , continue to be 01:18.010 --> 01:20.099 gracious to him and his family and 01:20.099 --> 01:22.699 offer wisdom , strength , and guidance 01:22.699 --> 01:25.099 as needed . To you who are able to do 01:25.099 --> 01:27.339 far exceedingly beyond what we ask or 01:27.339 --> 01:29.830 think , I offer praise and thanks . 01:30.019 --> 01:30.419 Amen . 01:33.779 --> 01:36.112 Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated . 01:41.730 --> 01:43.699 Now taking his position in the 01:43.699 --> 01:45.532 reviewing area is the commanding 01:45.532 --> 01:48.010 officer of 6 Marine Regiment , Colonel 01:48.010 --> 01:51.440 Neil R . Berry . Ready to be 01:51.440 --> 01:53.690 decorated and retired center . 01:55.580 --> 01:59.440 March . Yeah , I've been so I saw maybe 01:59.440 --> 02:01.329 Rees reporting . Good afternoon . 02:03.660 --> 02:05.827 Ladies and gentlemen , please rise for 02:05.827 --> 02:07.882 the playing of the national anthem . 03:30.369 --> 03:32.110 Please remain standing for the 03:32.110 --> 03:33.999 presentation of the award and the 03:33.999 --> 03:37.089 certificate of retirement . The 03:37.089 --> 03:39.330 President of the United States takes 03:39.330 --> 03:41.386 pleasure in presenting the Legion of 03:41.386 --> 03:44.770 Merit to Sergeant Major Marcus D . Rees 03:44.770 --> 03:46.929 for service as set forth in the 03:46.929 --> 03:49.729 following citation for exceptionally 03:49.729 --> 03:51.970 meritorious conduct in the performance 03:51.970 --> 03:54.315 of outstanding service . While serving 03:54.315 --> 03:56.384 as command senior enlisted leader , 03:56.634 --> 03:58.835 sixth Marine Regiment , 2nd Marine 03:58.835 --> 04:01.904 Division , 2 Marine Expeditionary Force 04:02.315 --> 04:06.104 from June 2023 to December 2024 , 04:06.714 --> 04:08.547 Sergeant Major Reese's exemplary 04:08.547 --> 04:10.658 leadership and innovation transformed 04:10.658 --> 04:12.881 the regiment's culture and enhanced the 04:12.881 --> 04:16.075 integration and interoperability of the 04:16.075 --> 04:18.489 functional areas of the staff . He 04:18.489 --> 04:20.156 actively sought to understand 04:20.156 --> 04:22.211 challenges at every level , identify 04:22.211 --> 04:24.250 friction , and confidently provide 04:24.250 --> 04:27.329 feedback to the commander . He created 04:27.329 --> 04:29.273 transparent lines of communication 04:29.690 --> 04:32.040 between the staff and junior Marines . 04:32.609 --> 04:35.329 In July 2023 , he served as the senior 04:35.329 --> 04:37.609 enlist advisor for the regiment during 04:37.609 --> 04:39.890 the Marine Air Ground Task Force war 04:39.890 --> 04:43.529 fighting exercise 5 TA 23 . He 04:43.529 --> 04:45.410 provided daily mentorship that 04:45.410 --> 04:47.494 synchronized . Integrated leaders 04:47.494 --> 04:49.716 across the marine Air Ground task force 04:49.716 --> 04:51.494 ensuring the safe and effective 04:51.494 --> 04:55.095 execution of 405 level headquarters and 04:55.095 --> 04:57.334 the regimental staff , demonstrating 04:57.334 --> 04:59.894 exceptional leadership and operational 04:59.894 --> 05:02.535 understanding . His embodiment of the 05:02.535 --> 05:04.734 commander's strategic vision , war 05:04.734 --> 05:07.095 fighting doctrine , functions and 05:07.095 --> 05:09.364 administration facilitated a cohesive 05:09.654 --> 05:11.845 ready force capable of responding to 05:11.845 --> 05:15.630 crises and contingencies . Sergeant 05:15.630 --> 05:17.741 Major Reese's superior performance of 05:17.741 --> 05:20.350 duties culminated his 24 years of 05:20.350 --> 05:22.269 honorable and dedicated military 05:22.269 --> 05:24.980 service . By his dynamic direction , 05:25.190 --> 05:27.880 keen judgment , and inspiring devotion , 05:28.230 --> 05:30.286 Sergeant Major Reese reflected great 05:30.286 --> 05:32.584 credit upon . Himself and upheld the 05:32.584 --> 05:34.751 highest traditions of the Marine Corps 05:34.751 --> 05:36.862 and the United States Naval Service . 05:36.945 --> 05:39.554 For the president , CL Worth Junior , 05:40.065 --> 05:42.024 Lieutenant General , United States 05:42.024 --> 05:44.665 Marine Corps , commanding general , to 05:44.665 --> 05:46.654 Marine Expeditionary Force . 05:51.750 --> 05:53.869 United States Marine Corps Sergeant 05:53.869 --> 05:56.309 Major Marcus D . Rees was transferred 05:56.309 --> 05:58.589 this date from the United States Marine 05:58.589 --> 06:01.059 Corps to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve 06:01.309 --> 06:03.510 after 24 years of honorable and 06:03.510 --> 06:06.579 faithful active service . 1 December 06:06.579 --> 06:09.959 2025 signed Eric M . Smith , 06:10.209 --> 06:12.042 commandant of the Marine Corps . 06:14.089 --> 06:16.422 Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated . 06:25.250 --> 06:27.809 Sergeant Major Reese , congratulations 06:27.809 --> 06:29.865 as you retire from the United States 06:29.865 --> 06:31.869 Armed Forces . Thank you for your 06:31.869 --> 06:33.899 contributions to the safety and 06:33.899 --> 06:36.380 security of America . As you open up 06:36.380 --> 06:38.660 this next chapter in your life , I hope 06:38.660 --> 06:40.827 that you feel tremendous pride in your 06:40.827 --> 06:42.771 service to our nation and that you 06:42.771 --> 06:44.993 continue to find ways to invest in your 06:44.993 --> 06:47.709 community and our country . Melania and 06:47.709 --> 06:50.149 I send our best wishes for continued 06:50.149 --> 06:52.589 success in all your future endeavors . 06:52.750 --> 06:55.390 May God bless you and may God continue 06:55.390 --> 06:57.980 to bless our great nation . Sincerely , 06:58.149 --> 06:59.579 Donald J . Trump . 07:05.049 --> 07:07.489 Dear Sergeant Major Rees , the Marine 07:07.489 --> 07:09.433 Corps has been your occupation and 07:09.433 --> 07:12.130 family for many years past , and I am 07:12.130 --> 07:14.297 certain the memories , interests , and 07:14.297 --> 07:16.297 the future of the Corps will remain 07:16.297 --> 07:18.186 with you forever . Many desire to 07:18.186 --> 07:20.299 obtain your accomplished goals , but 07:20.299 --> 07:23.079 few can compare to you . You have 07:23.079 --> 07:25.200 clearly demonstrated the exceptional 07:25.200 --> 07:27.339 leadership qualities and professional 07:27.339 --> 07:29.480 contributions we seek of our senior 07:29.480 --> 07:32.549 Marines . We are proud , as you must be 07:32.549 --> 07:35.640 of your successful career as a teacher 07:35.640 --> 07:37.799 to young Marines , a source of wise 07:37.799 --> 07:40.320 counsel , and as an example . Of those 07:40.320 --> 07:43.000 soldierly virtues we so admire , you 07:43.000 --> 07:45.222 have made a mark on the corps that will 07:45.222 --> 07:47.222 remain long after you have left our 07:47.222 --> 07:49.222 active ranks . There are many young 07:49.222 --> 07:51.278 Marines you have influenced who will 07:51.278 --> 07:53.429 carry on in the same fine tradition 07:53.640 --> 07:55.529 that has always characterized the 07:55.529 --> 07:58.100 United States Marine Corps . You have 07:58.100 --> 08:00.339 my best wishes for good health and 08:00.339 --> 08:02.506 continued success in the years ahead . 08:02.940 --> 08:06.529 Semper fidelis Eric M . Smith , General , 08:06.850 --> 08:09.209 United States Marine Corps Commandant 08:09.209 --> 08:11.410 of the Marine Corps . 08:14.260 --> 08:15.816 Dear Sergeant Major Reese . 08:15.899 --> 08:18.459 Congratulations on your retirement . I 08:18.459 --> 08:20.700 want to express my heartfelt thanks for 08:20.700 --> 08:22.859 your many years of devoted service to 08:22.859 --> 08:25.309 our country and corps . You have made 08:25.309 --> 08:27.940 tremendous contributions and sacrifices 08:27.940 --> 08:30.051 throughout your Marine Corps career , 08:30.051 --> 08:32.107 enduring through every challenge and 08:32.107 --> 08:34.820 persevering to the end . Our corps has 08:34.820 --> 08:37.250 never been about equipment or accolades , 08:37.380 --> 08:39.602 but rather the war fighting spirit that 08:39.602 --> 08:42.179 lives deep in our marines . Your spirit 08:42.179 --> 08:44.123 will now live on in those you have 08:44.123 --> 08:46.859 mentored , led , and taught . Though 08:46.859 --> 08:49.081 you are hanging up your uniform for the 08:49.081 --> 08:51.248 last time , our cloth will always have 08:51.248 --> 08:54.580 your threads running through it . As 08:54.580 --> 08:56.636 you enter this new chapter of life , 08:56.739 --> 08:59.017 take pride in all your accomplishments . 08:59.174 --> 09:01.007 Your professionalism has set the 09:01.007 --> 09:03.174 standard of excellence for your future 09:03.174 --> 09:05.396 Marines who will carry on the legacy of 09:05.396 --> 09:07.775 the Corps . My wife Andrea and I wish 09:07.775 --> 09:09.815 you continued success in all your 09:09.815 --> 09:12.955 future endeavors . Remain to . Remember 09:12.955 --> 09:15.066 to stay connected , as our collective 09:15.066 --> 09:17.854 legacy depends on it . Semper fidelis , 09:17.974 --> 09:20.854 Carlos A . Ruiz , 20th Sergeant Major 09:20.854 --> 09:22.294 of the Marine Corps . 09:36.650 --> 09:38.900 United States Marine Corps 2nd Marine 09:38.900 --> 09:41.059 Division , Fleet Marine Force Camp 09:41.059 --> 09:44.169 Lejeune , North Carolina , the flag of 09:44.169 --> 09:46.929 the United States of America . This is 09:46.929 --> 09:49.409 to certify that the accompanying flag 09:49.409 --> 09:51.576 was flown over the 2nd Marine Division 09:51.576 --> 09:55.409 headquarters on 2 December 2024 . This 09:55.409 --> 09:57.409 flag is presented to Sergeant Major 09:57.409 --> 10:00.200 Marcus D . Reese , 6th Marine Regiment , 10:00.409 --> 10:03.025 2nd Marine Division . In recognition of 10:03.025 --> 10:06.145 his 24 years of support to the United 10:06.145 --> 10:08.201 States Navy and United States Marine 10:08.201 --> 10:11.135 Corps , a command duty officer logbook 10:11.135 --> 10:13.385 entry has been made attesting to this 10:13.385 --> 10:17.215 fact . Signed DL Odom , Major General , 10:17.465 --> 10:19.635 United States Marine Corps Commanding 10:19.635 --> 10:22.385 General , 2nd Marine Division . Jay 10:22.385 --> 10:25.054 Mendez , Sergeant Major , United States 10:25.054 --> 10:27.385 Marine Corps , Sergeant Major , 2nd 10:27.385 --> 10:28.385 Marine Division . 10:40.940 --> 10:43.229 United States Marine Corps certificate 10:43.229 --> 10:45.770 of appreciation presented to Mrs . 10:45.780 --> 10:49.299 Yvonne S . Rees , Elena and JR 10:49.299 --> 10:52.659 Reese . On the occasion of your husband 10:52.659 --> 10:54.900 and father's retirement , I want to 10:54.900 --> 10:57.669 extend my personal thanks and gratitude 10:57.669 --> 11:00.250 of both the cops and our great nation 11:00.250 --> 11:02.700 for your unselfish , patient , and 11:02.700 --> 11:04.669 faithful support for your marine . 11:05.450 --> 11:07.728 Throughout the years , you have been a . 11:07.728 --> 11:09.950 The figure around which your family has 11:09.950 --> 11:12.585 grown and become strong . Your devotion 11:12.585 --> 11:15.664 to Duane and his chosen profession has 11:15.664 --> 11:17.831 enabled him to develop into the marine 11:17.831 --> 11:20.294 we see in front of us today , proud , 11:20.614 --> 11:23.065 successful , and admired . His 11:23.065 --> 11:25.287 accomplishments reflect your commitment 11:25.287 --> 11:27.414 to him , to your family , and to our 11:27.414 --> 11:30.184 corps . We are stronger for the simple 11:30.184 --> 11:32.295 fact that you believed in him and his 11:32.295 --> 11:34.799 choice of selfless service . You have 11:34.799 --> 11:37.039 demonstrated this same selflessness 11:37.039 --> 11:39.039 during the many long days and night 11:39.320 --> 11:41.542 that a life in the Marine Corps demands 11:41.542 --> 11:43.598 of its families . We are indebted to 11:43.598 --> 11:46.039 you for being semper fidelis , and I 11:46.039 --> 11:47.928 wish you and your family a future 11:47.928 --> 11:50.210 filled with much happiness and success . 11:50.669 --> 11:53.909 Given this sixth day of December 2024 , 11:54.169 --> 11:57.239 NR Barry , Colonel , United States 11:57.239 --> 11:59.510 Marine Corps commanding officer . 12:12.210 --> 12:14.321 Ladies and gentlemen , the commanding 12:14.321 --> 12:17.049 officer , Colonel Neil R . Barry . Hey , 12:17.130 --> 12:18.963 uh , good afternoon , everyone . 12:18.963 --> 12:21.019 General , thank you for coming out . 12:21.019 --> 12:23.130 Jeremy , thank you , Colonel Sergeant 12:23.130 --> 12:25.241 Major Master Chief , everybody , uh , 12:25.241 --> 12:27.074 out here in the group , a lot of 12:27.074 --> 12:29.186 familiar faces , a lot of new faces , 12:29.359 --> 12:32.010 um , I , but I just wanna say , uh , I 12:32.010 --> 12:34.232 can tell , uh , by the folks who are in 12:34.232 --> 12:36.232 this room that I know and that know 12:36.232 --> 12:38.343 those Marines . Uh , that they're all 12:38.343 --> 12:40.399 here , uh , because of , of , of how 12:40.399 --> 12:42.510 great of a man and Marine Duane Reese 12:42.510 --> 12:44.732 is , uh , and , uh , providing him some 12:44.732 --> 12:46.899 support and , and , and , uh , and for 12:46.899 --> 12:49.010 his family , uh , as he transitions , 12:49.010 --> 12:51.232 uh , out , out of the room , uh , round 12:51.232 --> 12:52.788 of applause for everybody . 12:58.700 --> 13:00.700 Uh , we had some comments yesterday 13:00.700 --> 13:02.644 when we did our , uh , our posting 13:02.644 --> 13:04.867 relief , uh , and , uh , I just want to 13:04.867 --> 13:06.867 say a couple things . Uh , Dwayne's 13:06.867 --> 13:09.089 right , this has been the last 6 months 13:09.089 --> 13:11.144 have been the highlight of my Marine 13:11.144 --> 13:13.256 Corps career , uh , serving alongside 13:13.256 --> 13:13.210 him and everything else pales in 13:13.210 --> 13:16.190 comparison , so thanks for that . Uh , 13:16.200 --> 13:18.533 the second thing is , is to your family , 13:18.533 --> 13:20.700 to your wife , your children , uh , on 13:20.700 --> 13:22.922 that certificate , uh , you know , we , 13:22.922 --> 13:24.867 we try our best to , to write some 13:24.867 --> 13:26.978 words that really capture , uh , what 13:26.978 --> 13:29.089 it means , uh , to be a marine family 13:29.089 --> 13:31.311 and the sacrifices that you make , uh , 13:31.311 --> 13:33.533 in support of him being able to support 13:33.533 --> 13:35.867 and serve , uh , you know , his country , 13:35.867 --> 13:38.033 his community , and those around him . 13:38.033 --> 13:40.260 Uh , but no matter how nice they may be 13:40.260 --> 13:42.149 or the best job that we do , they 13:42.149 --> 13:44.038 always fail , uh , and accurately 13:44.038 --> 13:46.250 capturing , uh , what you guys do and 13:46.250 --> 13:47.989 what you , uh , suffer through 13:47.989 --> 13:50.156 sacrifice in order to make sure that , 13:50.156 --> 13:52.322 uh , you know , men like him can serve 13:52.322 --> 13:54.489 in this organization . So I just wanna 13:54.489 --> 13:56.822 say one more time , thank you very much , 13:56.822 --> 14:00.469 um . For Marines , their mission is to 14:00.510 --> 14:03.270 is to win battles and make marines . 14:04.119 --> 14:07.479 And if you look through Dwayne's bio on 14:07.479 --> 14:09.479 there , uh , that's what you'll see 14:09.479 --> 14:12.270 that for over the last two decades , uh , 14:12.409 --> 14:16.130 that's all he's done is win battles and 14:16.130 --> 14:18.210 make marines . And whether that's 14:18.520 --> 14:20.631 literally on the battlefields of Iraq 14:20.631 --> 14:23.080 and Afghanistan deploying with Marine 14:23.080 --> 14:26.880 expeditionary units or or the or 14:26.880 --> 14:29.400 the battles , the everyday battles that 14:29.400 --> 14:31.344 Marines and sailors go through and 14:31.344 --> 14:33.456 their families go through to help get 14:33.456 --> 14:35.567 them in a place where they can be the 14:35.567 --> 14:37.789 best versions of themselves . He's been 14:37.789 --> 14:39.956 there winning those battles . And then 14:39.956 --> 14:41.844 on the depots , um , in the staff 14:41.844 --> 14:44.369 academies , uh , the late nights , the 14:44.369 --> 14:46.530 kneecaps , the kneecaps , uh , he's 14:46.530 --> 14:49.049 making marines , and he's been doing 14:49.049 --> 14:52.760 that for , for over two decades , and , 14:52.770 --> 14:55.130 uh , you know , we , when we come 14:55.130 --> 14:58.039 across the finish line at uh at OCS or 14:58.039 --> 15:00.206 recruit training , we say that we have 15:00.206 --> 15:02.372 made a marine . We have , we have , we 15:02.372 --> 15:04.428 have ended the beginning of making a 15:04.428 --> 15:08.039 marine and it continues every day , uh , 15:08.679 --> 15:10.846 from , from that moment forward and so 15:10.846 --> 15:12.901 that you're actually a better marine 15:12.901 --> 15:12.789 should be a better marine each and 15:12.789 --> 15:14.622 every day than you were when you 15:14.622 --> 15:16.567 started and uh I can tell you that 15:16.567 --> 15:19.059 there's there's numerous , there's 15:19.630 --> 15:21.852 innumerable marines and sailors who are 15:21.852 --> 15:23.908 better marines now for the time they 15:23.908 --> 15:26.074 spent about spent around you . I'm one 15:26.074 --> 15:28.186 of them , uh . I've been doing this a 15:28.186 --> 15:30.352 minute and uh I still found that I was 15:30.352 --> 15:32.408 a better marine from hanging out and 15:32.408 --> 15:34.574 dealing with you uh or dealing dealing 15:34.574 --> 15:37.900 with things with you . Whoops . 15:38.820 --> 15:39.820 Yeah , right , 15:43.260 --> 15:46.369 uh , so thank you , um , I do wanna say , 15:46.489 --> 15:48.656 uh , uh , you know this is , uh , this 15:48.656 --> 15:50.656 is a tremendous opportunity , and I 15:50.656 --> 15:52.767 know you have some family that , uh , 15:52.767 --> 15:52.179 they , they came out here a long way 15:52.179 --> 15:54.401 and , and we're happy to have everybody 15:54.401 --> 15:56.568 here , uh , but to really , really put 15:56.568 --> 15:58.623 a , put a point on this thing , uh , 15:58.623 --> 16:00.679 I'd like to turn it over to somebody 16:00.679 --> 16:02.957 who's gonna deliver some comments , uh , 16:02.957 --> 16:05.235 in , in a way that I , that I couldn't , 16:05.235 --> 16:04.570 they're really gonna capture your 16:04.570 --> 16:06.792 service , the service and sacrifices of 16:06.792 --> 16:08.737 your family . And uh if you if you 16:08.737 --> 16:11.059 don't know uh retired Sergeant Major uh 16:11.059 --> 16:12.948 Mark Chabo , he's been around the 16:12.948 --> 16:15.170 Marine for a while . I've seen a lot of 16:15.170 --> 16:17.115 folks in both in uniform and uh in 16:17.115 --> 16:19.226 civilian attire coming up shaking his 16:19.226 --> 16:21.337 hand , uh , and saying , uh , hello , 16:21.337 --> 16:23.503 it's great and good to see you again . 16:23.503 --> 16:25.837 So , uh , you know him better than I do . 16:25.837 --> 16:25.659 So , uh , without that round of 16:25.659 --> 16:26.826 applause from Mark . 16:33.299 --> 16:36.020 General Dave , it's good to see you 16:36.020 --> 16:38.131 guys . First thing I just want to say 16:38.131 --> 16:40.298 to you is that we still wear the cloth 16:40.298 --> 16:42.520 of our nation that , um , thank you . I 16:42.520 --> 16:44.631 mean that sincerely . um , I think if 16:44.631 --> 16:46.853 you pay attention to social media a lot 16:46.853 --> 16:48.909 and you scroll through your phones , 16:48.909 --> 16:51.020 sometimes that gets lost like that um 16:51.020 --> 16:53.131 it's a lot of people shooting on your 16:53.131 --> 16:52.659 target sometimes , but I tell you I'm . 16:53.030 --> 16:55.197 I'm that dude in the cheap seats right 16:55.197 --> 16:57.474 now and I cheer for you guys every day , 16:57.474 --> 16:59.697 and I appreciate what you guys do . And 16:59.697 --> 17:01.919 uh the next fight , we're gonna be just 17:01.919 --> 17:01.770 fine . We're gonna be good . It'll 17:01.770 --> 17:03.826 happen . Let's pray it doesn't cause 17:03.826 --> 17:06.103 we're supposed to be a deterrent force , 17:06.103 --> 17:08.829 not an engagement force , but hey . And , 17:10.729 --> 17:12.896 um , it's just fitting that I'm here , 17:13.050 --> 17:15.530 I suppose , because I retired 4 years 17:15.530 --> 17:17.752 ago from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San 17:17.752 --> 17:19.863 Diego , and , and guess who was there 17:19.863 --> 17:22.086 for me ? Sorry , Major Dwayne Reese was 17:22.086 --> 17:24.910 there for me right by my side . um , he 17:24.910 --> 17:27.077 calls me at least quarterly and checks 17:27.077 --> 17:29.188 on me and the whole thing we're gonna 17:29.188 --> 17:31.188 kind of discuss as I know I comment 17:31.188 --> 17:33.299 about um his career and his family is 17:33.299 --> 17:36.160 just his , his character he possesses , 17:36.189 --> 17:38.022 you know , just a high degree of 17:38.022 --> 17:40.078 character , but it's like the modern 17:40.078 --> 17:42.939 day um American kind of story though , 17:43.109 --> 17:45.939 you know . Young boy from Alabama , 17:46.369 --> 17:48.425 he's , uh , you know , looking for a 17:48.425 --> 17:50.591 challenge , you know , wants to uproot 17:50.591 --> 17:52.813 uproot himself , you know , out of that 17:52.813 --> 17:54.980 environment , joins the Marine Corps . 17:54.980 --> 17:57.091 Boy goes to war , boy comes back from 17:57.091 --> 17:59.258 war , boy meets an exceptional woman . 17:59.258 --> 18:01.369 They get married , um , and she picks 18:01.369 --> 18:03.536 him up and levels him up and takes him 18:03.536 --> 18:05.591 to 2 different 2 to 3 levels up from 18:05.591 --> 18:07.702 where he was at . They have beautiful 18:07.702 --> 18:09.813 children and then we're gonna wrap it 18:09.813 --> 18:11.980 all up and then we're gonna go back to 18:11.980 --> 18:14.091 Alabama and gove near our family . It 18:14.091 --> 18:16.258 doesn't get any better than that ? And 18:16.258 --> 18:18.258 that's like something you read in a 18:18.258 --> 18:20.369 novel . That's like nonfiction I just 18:20.369 --> 18:19.969 described to you . It's like something 18:19.969 --> 18:21.913 that sounds really good , but very 18:21.913 --> 18:24.080 rarely do we actually achieve it . And 18:24.080 --> 18:27.660 man , just , that , that is it . Man , 18:27.689 --> 18:30.589 um , he just . If there was a Marine 18:30.589 --> 18:33.030 Corps Hall of Fame , Duane Reese would 18:33.030 --> 18:35.750 be in it . I mean that like , and you 18:35.750 --> 18:37.750 know he's not part of the Legion of 18:37.750 --> 18:39.972 Valor , you know , and , and , and he's 18:39.972 --> 18:42.194 done just exceptional things but I mean 18:42.194 --> 18:42.109 like if if there's a Hall of Fame , 18:42.229 --> 18:44.340 there's a measurement for it probably 18:44.340 --> 18:46.562 be based on like an award or you know , 18:46.562 --> 18:48.618 it'd be like something , there'll be 18:48.618 --> 18:50.673 something there that like breaks him 18:50.673 --> 18:52.785 out from everybody else , but he gets 18:52.785 --> 18:54.673 in because of his character . His 18:54.673 --> 18:57.300 character is impeccable . Him being in 18:57.300 --> 19:00.849 his manhood is impeccable . He's just , 19:00.930 --> 19:03.660 he's just the best that I know . I met 19:03.660 --> 19:07.339 him in 2005 . I was the class 19:07.339 --> 19:09.450 commander of uh of general instructor 19:09.450 --> 19:12.660 school . Class 4-05 . I'm this salty 19:12.660 --> 19:14.979 gunny up there and Dwayne was a young 19:14.979 --> 19:17.849 sergeant just coming out of kinetic 19:17.849 --> 19:19.709 operations in Iraq . 19:21.599 --> 19:24.640 I'm talking like as a young NCO 19:25.189 --> 19:27.829 Dwayne is fighting in the cemeteries on 19:27.829 --> 19:30.150 the Jaf and that's an important point 19:30.150 --> 19:33.219 about his character because those 19:33.219 --> 19:35.275 experiences he had as a young Marine 19:35.630 --> 19:37.852 set the precedents for him to know that 19:37.852 --> 19:39.630 this is a very serious freaking 19:39.630 --> 19:41.519 business called the United States 19:41.519 --> 19:43.574 Marine Corps , especially when we're 19:43.574 --> 19:45.574 dealing with enemies . Him and I go 19:45.574 --> 19:47.908 through drills start to school together , 19:47.908 --> 19:50.130 and I didn't really like him . I didn't 19:50.130 --> 19:52.186 really like him seriously at first I 19:52.186 --> 19:54.297 didn't like him . He was like , man , 19:54.297 --> 19:56.297 who is this cocky arrogant freaking 19:56.297 --> 19:58.408 dude over here who's always trying to 19:58.408 --> 20:00.630 freaking shooting my target , get me in 20:00.630 --> 20:00.260 freaking trouble and stuff like , who 20:00.260 --> 20:02.482 the hell is this dude ? But we've grown 20:02.482 --> 20:04.538 to like love each other through that 20:04.538 --> 20:06.871 process and then you've been on DI duty , 20:06.871 --> 20:09.093 you understand what I'm talking about . 20:09.093 --> 20:11.260 So we graduate from journal instructor 20:11.260 --> 20:13.260 school and . Like that is , that is 20:13.260 --> 20:15.482 like the fraternity like that DI school 20:15.482 --> 20:17.482 class like your classmates , that's 20:17.482 --> 20:17.109 like your frat that you travel around 20:17.109 --> 20:19.276 with and you go through the stress and 20:19.276 --> 20:21.400 the site and the , the we call it 20:21.400 --> 20:24.339 together so we see each other in a 20:24.339 --> 20:26.670 crude highway bumping fists , you know , 20:26.920 --> 20:29.142 showing brotherly love and everything . 20:29.142 --> 20:30.976 So him and I , we started riding 20:30.976 --> 20:33.142 motorcycles together . We had a little 20:33.142 --> 20:32.479 Har Davidson group down there . Dwayne 20:32.479 --> 20:34.560 had the most beautiful , um . 20:36.650 --> 20:40.290 The fat boy , his fat boy had Iwo 20:40.290 --> 20:42.457 Jima , the flag raising of Iwo Jima on 20:42.457 --> 20:44.650 the gas tank painted on there . It was 20:44.650 --> 20:46.817 beautiful . I used to love that bike , 20:46.817 --> 20:48.928 man . I walked by like , Dwayne , I'm 20:48.928 --> 20:51.039 stealing your motorcycle . I think it 20:51.039 --> 20:53.261 was beautiful , ride bikes together and 20:53.261 --> 20:55.428 all that stuff . Everything's good . I 20:55.428 --> 20:57.428 mean Yvonne . Yvonne's tremendous . 20:57.428 --> 20:56.900 She's an active duty corpsman . 20:56.969 --> 20:59.719 Everything's good , right ? And then 21:00.410 --> 21:04.290 one day , um , Somebody pulled me aside 21:04.290 --> 21:06.401 from India Company where Dwayne was a 21:06.401 --> 21:08.568 drum instructor at and he's like , hey 21:08.568 --> 21:10.679 man , did you hear what happened with 21:10.679 --> 21:13.619 uh the Reese family ? Like , no , I , I 21:13.619 --> 21:15.859 said , no , I didn't hear . They had 21:15.859 --> 21:18.900 just had a baby , baby Hayley , and she 21:18.900 --> 21:21.067 was 9 months old and she passed away . 21:21.790 --> 21:25.780 Um And I , I was just devastated for 21:25.780 --> 21:28.180 him , for Yvonne , for their family , 21:28.829 --> 21:32.479 um . I was like , holy , like 21:32.479 --> 21:36.380 how . I don't know what to 21:36.380 --> 21:39.359 say . I had no idea what to say to him . 21:40.280 --> 21:42.391 I didn't even know how to handle that 21:42.391 --> 21:44.502 situation because it's just something 21:44.502 --> 21:46.613 just really difficult to do . So they 21:46.613 --> 21:48.780 go through their process , they do the 21:48.780 --> 21:51.002 services and they have a service on the 21:51.002 --> 21:53.169 Marine Corps recruit depot right there 21:53.169 --> 21:55.336 at the chapel underneath the general's 21:55.336 --> 21:57.169 building . And I went to that to 21:57.169 --> 21:59.750 support Dwayne and Yvan . And Yvonne 21:59.750 --> 22:01.917 was on one side of the chapel with her 22:01.917 --> 22:04.028 family and her friends , um , some of 22:04.028 --> 22:06.139 the navy folks that she served with , 22:06.139 --> 22:08.194 and Dwayne was standing there was an 22:08.194 --> 22:10.306 organ , kind of like on the back wall 22:10.306 --> 22:12.472 like this , a picture of this being an 22:12.472 --> 22:14.528 Oregon , and they had this beautiful 22:14.528 --> 22:14.489 remembrance of Hailey up there , 22:14.869 --> 22:18.310 beautiful pictures and stuff , and uh 22:18.310 --> 22:20.310 Dwayne was just standing there like 22:20.310 --> 22:22.699 this with his hand on it and just 22:22.699 --> 22:25.579 looking at the , at Hailey's uh 22:25.989 --> 22:29.030 remembrance . And um he just had a 22:29.030 --> 22:33.020 blank look in his face . I walked up 22:33.020 --> 22:35.619 to him . I just put a hand on his 22:35.619 --> 22:37.900 shoulder and I knew I was gonna say the 22:37.900 --> 22:40.619 wrong thing . Of course I did . I said , 22:40.739 --> 22:42.961 you know , uh , are you OK ? And I knew 22:42.961 --> 22:45.072 he wasn't OK , like just a dumb thing 22:45.072 --> 22:47.072 to say , but he looked at me and he 22:47.072 --> 22:46.900 said , No , I'm not OK , but he's like , 22:46.939 --> 22:50.170 I'm gonna be OK . I said , right . And 22:50.170 --> 22:52.449 uh I just waited for him to talk . And 22:52.449 --> 22:55.089 when he was standing there , um , he's 22:55.089 --> 22:57.200 like , I don't know what's next , but 22:57.200 --> 22:59.729 brother , I'm gonna try to live the 22:59.729 --> 23:02.520 best life that I can to honor her . 23:03.609 --> 23:05.831 I paraphrased it , but it was something 23:05.831 --> 23:07.998 along those lines , almost verbatim on 23:07.998 --> 23:10.000 what he said . And I said , I think 23:10.000 --> 23:12.278 that's the right thing to do , brother . 23:13.130 --> 23:15.352 And what did he do after that ? You the 23:15.352 --> 23:17.352 character piece I'm talking about , 23:17.352 --> 23:20.290 what did he do after that moment ? Well , 23:20.619 --> 23:22.730 meritorious staff sergeant on general 23:22.730 --> 23:25.290 instructor duty . Becomes a chief drill 23:25.290 --> 23:28.550 instructor . Finishes his tour over 23:28.550 --> 23:30.750 there as you know with the reputation 23:30.750 --> 23:33.349 that he has extends for one year to 23:33.349 --> 23:35.460 make sure that him and his family are 23:35.460 --> 23:38.099 prepared to PCS , there he is hitting 23:38.099 --> 23:40.099 the mark frigging again at the same 23:40.099 --> 23:42.266 time while dealing with all the trauma 23:42.266 --> 23:44.266 that he's feeling and just being an 23:44.266 --> 23:46.266 outstanding Marine trying to be the 23:46.266 --> 23:48.155 best husband that he can to Y and 23:48.155 --> 23:50.266 trying to do the best job that he can 23:50.266 --> 23:52.432 to process this and he achieves that . 23:52.432 --> 23:54.599 You wanna talk character ? That's Hall 23:54.599 --> 23:57.060 of Fame criteria right there . That is 23:57.060 --> 23:58.949 why I just , my respect for you , 23:58.949 --> 24:02.410 Dwayne is through the roof . For that . 24:02.819 --> 24:04.939 And then that just continues on for 24:04.939 --> 24:08.400 another 18 years . Fast forward a 24:08.400 --> 24:10.622 little bit . Now I'm a first sergeant . 24:10.622 --> 24:12.789 I'm over here in the Carolina Magta at 24:12.789 --> 24:14.900 2nd combat Engineer battalion , Saper 24:14.900 --> 24:17.011 Phi . Earlar mangers in the back over 24:17.011 --> 24:20.939 there . In my , they used to have 24:20.939 --> 24:23.217 these things phones we still use those . 24:23.217 --> 24:25.383 These two guys still have those ? Like 24:25.383 --> 24:27.439 you pick them up and you answer them 24:27.439 --> 24:29.495 you say hello . My phone rang and it 24:29.495 --> 24:32.010 was Dwayne staffer Reese at the time 24:32.010 --> 24:34.066 for all , what's going on ? I said , 24:34.066 --> 24:36.177 not much , man . How you doing ? He's 24:36.177 --> 24:38.232 like , bro , I gotta , he's like , I 24:38.232 --> 24:40.232 wanna come to 2nd CEB . He's like , 24:40.232 --> 24:43.209 Let's go . got a mortars there , and 24:43.209 --> 24:46.209 ended up deploying with him twice , 2 24:46.209 --> 24:48.560 tours in Afghanistan with Dwayne . One 24:48.560 --> 24:51.719 time , the first time , Dwayne . 24:53.040 --> 24:56.989 He was by himself in Garbinger . 2nd 24:56.989 --> 24:58.989 Battalion , 8th Marines have done a 24:58.989 --> 25:01.045 good job of pushing out , you know , 25:01.045 --> 25:03.156 getting control of the district . And 25:03.156 --> 25:05.156 then 22nd battalion , 2nd Marines , 25:05.156 --> 25:07.322 Dwayne and those Marines went in there 25:07.322 --> 25:10.199 and they just unleashed . It was crazy . 25:10.810 --> 25:13.089 They pursued , punished , and killed 25:13.089 --> 25:16.459 the enemy repeatedly . What did Dwayne 25:16.459 --> 25:20.449 do as a platoon shark ? Character he 25:20.449 --> 25:23.319 did everything that you could imagine 25:23.319 --> 25:25.541 to make sure his Marines are set up for 25:25.541 --> 25:27.959 success , everything to include 25:28.250 --> 25:30.260 bothering me . Sometimes 25:32.170 --> 25:34.170 first I need this . I need that . I 25:34.170 --> 25:36.448 need that . Why is the company founded , 25:36.448 --> 25:38.726 OK , man , I'm working . I'm trying to , 25:38.726 --> 25:41.310 I got a character . I called him up one 25:41.310 --> 25:43.532 time . I said , Dwayne , what I want to 25:43.532 --> 25:45.532 visit every one of our Marines . He 25:45.532 --> 25:47.754 didn't , you know , he could , he could 25:47.754 --> 25:49.866 have been like , like , look , look , 25:49.866 --> 25:49.800 we're busy over here , you know , while 25:49.800 --> 25:51.744 you're , while you're , you know , 25:51.744 --> 25:53.689 going and doing your thing and you 25:53.689 --> 25:53.650 wanna go do first on things . We're 25:53.650 --> 25:55.650 busy , you know what he said ? He's 25:55.650 --> 25:57.817 like , no problem . He said it's gonna 25:57.817 --> 26:00.150 take us a while , but we're gonna do it . 26:00.319 --> 26:02.375 Every single marine in his platoon , 26:02.420 --> 26:04.309 even the ones that are in one man 26:04.309 --> 26:07.150 fighting holes , 50 , 50 miles away 26:07.150 --> 26:09.699 from the CP , him and I went and hung 26:09.699 --> 26:11.643 out with every single one of those 26:11.643 --> 26:14.739 Marines . Character . Exceptional 26:14.739 --> 26:18.380 character . That's who he is , 26:18.699 --> 26:21.020 Hall of Famer , man , straight up . 26:22.890 --> 26:25.859 We closed our tour together at Marine 26:25.859 --> 26:28.390 Corps Recruit Depot San Diego . Dwayne 26:28.390 --> 26:30.334 was one of the battalion sergeants 26:30.334 --> 26:32.557 majors , and Yvonne hated me for this . 26:32.557 --> 26:34.723 Um , luckily , he provided top cover , 26:34.723 --> 26:36.834 but I called the monitor personally . 26:36.834 --> 26:39.001 When I was a regielar major and I said 26:39.001 --> 26:41.112 name was Troy Nicks . I said , Troy , 26:41.112 --> 26:43.334 I've never asked you for anything . You 26:43.334 --> 26:45.557 got all my people out here and all that 26:45.557 --> 26:45.449 you gave them the whole run now I never 26:45.449 --> 26:48.589 asked you for nothing . I need Marcus 26:48.589 --> 26:52.130 Twain Reese . I have to have him . Why ? 26:53.199 --> 26:56.280 Character , that's why I need somebody 26:56.280 --> 26:58.447 out here . I need a man of character . 26:58.447 --> 27:01.500 I need somebody I can trust . I needed 27:02.229 --> 27:04.229 here to help me freaking fight back 27:04.229 --> 27:06.340 against this stuff that we have going 27:06.340 --> 27:08.507 on out here , these little games , GTI 27:08.507 --> 27:12.170 games . He was awesome . Awesome . I 27:12.170 --> 27:13.892 never had to worry about first 27:13.892 --> 27:16.319 battalion . 24 months that I was out 27:16.319 --> 27:17.541 there , not at once . 27:20.689 --> 27:24.000 I'll say this um to the Reese family . 27:25.380 --> 27:28.780 That I , we 27:28.780 --> 27:31.459 collectively appreciate you coming out 27:31.459 --> 27:33.780 here to support this day . Those of us 27:33.780 --> 27:35.836 that have , uh , you know , got this 27:35.836 --> 27:38.058 white and gray hair , it's still gray , 27:38.058 --> 27:40.169 right ? Not white ? OK , cool , thank 27:40.169 --> 27:43.489 you . Um , we attend a lot of these 27:43.489 --> 27:45.600 things and you don't know what you're 27:45.600 --> 27:47.600 gonna get . There's sometimes where 27:47.600 --> 27:49.656 I've attended retirements where it's 27:49.656 --> 27:51.711 just been the individual retiree who 27:51.711 --> 27:53.933 served and they're by themselves . Um , 27:53.933 --> 27:55.920 this , uh , expression of love 27:55.920 --> 27:58.087 traveling from Arkansas , from Alabama 27:58.250 --> 28:00.139 to come here and support Dwayne , 28:00.139 --> 28:03.599 Yvonne . Alina and Junior 28:04.199 --> 28:06.109 is exceptional and uh I know they 28:06.109 --> 28:08.165 greatly appreciate it . I can't wait 28:08.165 --> 28:10.165 till the bonfire for later . That's 28:10.165 --> 28:12.442 gonna be lit . That's gonna be awesome . 28:12.442 --> 28:15.339 We have a good time . It's all of you 28:15.339 --> 28:17.228 showed up here as well to support 28:17.228 --> 28:19.750 Dwayne , um , much , much appreciated . 28:20.380 --> 28:22.699 He is , uh , I tell you , man , like I 28:22.699 --> 28:24.755 didn't , I don't do scripts . I just 28:24.755 --> 28:26.810 speak from the heart and I love this 28:26.810 --> 28:29.143 man . I didn't say I'm in love with him . 28:29.143 --> 28:31.366 We ain't going to bed , but I do . He's 28:31.366 --> 28:34.939 kind of like my last . Person with a 28:34.939 --> 28:38.869 uniform on that I really have like that 28:38.869 --> 28:41.949 deep length of service , hardships , 28:42.270 --> 28:44.437 hardships we did together , the things 28:44.437 --> 28:46.548 I saw him and his family go through . 28:46.719 --> 28:48.886 The things that him and I , we spent a 28:48.886 --> 28:51.163 lot of time in freaking MRAps together . 28:51.170 --> 28:53.392 Um , he's like the last guy . It's like 28:53.392 --> 28:56.439 I'm sad to see him go , but I also know 28:56.439 --> 28:59.969 that this is not a um a funeral . This 28:59.969 --> 29:02.969 is a rebirth . This is an absolute 29:02.969 --> 29:05.930 rebirth in this next chapter , you know , 29:05.969 --> 29:08.136 in Team Reese , this novel that you're 29:08.136 --> 29:10.302 writing is gonna be the most beautiful 29:10.302 --> 29:12.358 one ever . It's gonna be beautiful . 29:13.349 --> 29:16.989 You are going to impact The next 29:16.989 --> 29:20.390 generation of youth in Alabama . And I 29:20.390 --> 29:22.501 tell you , man , like you're , you're 29:22.501 --> 29:25.000 the perfect guy to do it . Perfect . 29:25.209 --> 29:27.265 You're the perfect mentor for a high 29:27.265 --> 29:29.209 school student . Just please don't 29:29.209 --> 29:31.376 knife hand the parents when they don't 29:31.376 --> 29:33.487 want to follow the standards . Please 29:33.487 --> 29:35.653 don't do that . Sometimes , you know , 29:35.653 --> 29:37.987 they might , might not think , you know , 29:37.987 --> 29:37.280 Marine Corps humor is as funny as 29:37.280 --> 29:39.391 others , so you know , just try to be 29:39.391 --> 29:41.447 careful with that . But uh , but I'm 29:41.447 --> 29:44.369 really excited for you guys to go , you 29:44.369 --> 29:46.810 know , navigate this next , next 29:46.810 --> 29:48.977 chapter for yourselves . It's gonna be 29:48.977 --> 29:51.839 amazing and um I'll close with this . 29:52.810 --> 29:55.609 You're not alone . I know you're gonna 29:55.609 --> 29:58.449 have your family and the one , the one 29:58.449 --> 30:00.616 leverage that me and some of the other 30:00.616 --> 30:02.949 retirees have , you know , you guys are , 30:02.949 --> 30:05.116 you know , are still on active duty is 30:05.116 --> 30:07.227 unless the Marine Corps is a business 30:07.227 --> 30:09.393 transaction to you , uh , you probably 30:09.393 --> 30:11.660 love it . You probably do , and you 30:11.660 --> 30:13.493 gotta go through a little bit of 30:13.493 --> 30:15.604 withdrawals and . And you gotta get a 30:15.604 --> 30:17.827 little lonely , uh , but just know that 30:17.827 --> 30:19.938 every single person that showed up to 30:19.938 --> 30:22.810 you here today , um , and others out 30:22.810 --> 30:25.079 there , um , you can't lie to yourself 30:25.079 --> 30:27.246 and say that people don't care because 30:27.246 --> 30:29.489 they do , so stay connected , please be 30:29.489 --> 30:31.600 in touch . Don't ever freaking suffer 30:31.600 --> 30:35.189 in silence . Lean on your friends . We 30:35.189 --> 30:37.300 get these beautiful things that we've 30:37.300 --> 30:40.109 got on silent right now , so to stay 30:40.109 --> 30:43.510 connected . I love you , man , and uh 30:43.510 --> 30:45.843 thank you for allowing me to , you know , 30:45.843 --> 30:48.066 put the cherry on top of your ice cream 30:48.066 --> 30:50.121 sundae retirement . I'm grateful and 30:50.121 --> 30:52.339 honored to have served with you . It's 30:52.339 --> 30:54.506 been my , uh , my distinct honor and , 30:54.506 --> 30:56.283 uh , and I'm so glad that I can 30:56.283 --> 30:58.819 celebrate this monumental moment with 30:58.819 --> 31:01.060 you and your , your lovely family . I 31:01.060 --> 31:02.060 love you , man . 31:15.109 --> 31:16.109 4 is yours . 31:22.109 --> 31:23.109 OK . 31:27.660 --> 31:29.716 Today we not only celebrate just the 31:29.716 --> 31:31.938 retirement of the amazing man I proudly 31:31.938 --> 31:33.938 call my father , but the incredible 31:33.938 --> 31:35.827 journey he has undertaken and the 31:35.827 --> 31:37.882 legacy he leaves behind . Dad , your 31:37.882 --> 31:39.993 dedication and courage and commitment 31:39.993 --> 31:42.160 to serving our country has always been 31:42.160 --> 31:44.216 an inspiration to me and to everyone 31:44.216 --> 31:46.438 who knows you . You face challenges and 31:46.438 --> 31:46.380 dangers with a steadfast heart , change 31:46.380 --> 31:48.547 the lives of countless young Marines , 31:48.547 --> 31:50.713 and you are always putting the mission 31:50.713 --> 31:52.936 and your comrades above yourself . Your 31:52.936 --> 31:55.047 service has a testament to the values 31:55.047 --> 31:57.047 of honor , courage , and commitment 31:57.047 --> 31:57.030 that the Marine Corps holds dear . 31:57.280 --> 31:59.502 Throughout your career , you have shown 31:59.502 --> 32:01.669 us what it means to be a true leader . 32:01.669 --> 32:03.891 Whether on the battlefield or at home , 32:03.891 --> 32:03.640 you have led with integrity and 32:03.640 --> 32:05.640 strength . Your sacrifices have not 32:05.640 --> 32:07.696 gone unnoticed and your achievements 32:07.696 --> 32:09.862 will be remembered for years to come . 32:09.862 --> 32:11.918 As you step into this new chapter of 32:11.918 --> 32:13.862 your life , I want you to know how 32:13.862 --> 32:15.973 proud I am to be your daughter . Your 32:15.973 --> 32:18.307 legacy will continue to inspire me , JR , 32:18.307 --> 32:20.640 and many others . Enjoy the celebration . 32:20.640 --> 32:20.550 You have earned it more than anyone I 32:20.550 --> 32:22.550 know . Thank you for your service , 32:22.550 --> 32:24.489 sacrifices , and for setting the 32:24.489 --> 32:26.433 example of a father figure and the 32:26.433 --> 32:28.656 incredible person you are . We love you 32:28.656 --> 32:30.767 and we're excited to finally have you 32:30.767 --> 32:32.600 home for good . Love you , dad . 32:38.989 --> 32:40.933 Family , friends , and friends who 32:40.933 --> 32:43.156 become family . Thank you all for being 32:43.156 --> 32:45.267 here in this significant milestone in 32:45.267 --> 32:47.211 our life . When I was asked what I 32:47.211 --> 32:49.322 would miss most about military life , 32:49.439 --> 32:51.383 Without hesitation , I replied the 32:51.383 --> 32:53.939 people . Throughout this journey , we 32:53.939 --> 32:55.661 have encountered extraordinary 32:55.661 --> 32:57.661 individuals , many of whom are here 32:57.661 --> 32:59.883 today , who have loved , mentored , and 32:59.883 --> 33:01.828 supported us unconditionally . God 33:01.828 --> 33:03.828 placed you in our lives at just the 33:03.828 --> 33:05.995 right moments , and each of you hold a 33:05.995 --> 33:07.995 special place in our hearts . To my 33:07.995 --> 33:10.270 husband . I know we both tend to shy 33:10.270 --> 33:12.214 away from expressing our heartfelt 33:12.214 --> 33:14.437 emotions , but I felt inspired to share 33:14.437 --> 33:16.548 this tribute to you as you close this 33:16.548 --> 33:18.659 chapter , and we embrace what God has 33:18.659 --> 33:20.659 next for us . First , I want you to 33:20.659 --> 33:22.770 know how incredibly proud I am of all 33:22.770 --> 33:24.992 that you've accomplished in the last 24 33:24.992 --> 33:27.048 years . From the time I met you as a 33:27.048 --> 33:29.530 young , arrogant corporal . You have 33:29.530 --> 33:31.586 consistently achieved every goal you 33:31.586 --> 33:33.752 have set for yourself and made it look 33:33.752 --> 33:35.863 easy despite the challenges that have 33:35.863 --> 33:37.641 come our way . You truly have a 33:37.641 --> 33:39.752 fighting spirit that is inspirational 33:39.752 --> 33:41.697 to those who truly know you . I've 33:41.697 --> 33:43.752 always loved hearing from others who 33:43.752 --> 33:45.752 have served with you , how you have 33:45.752 --> 33:47.697 helped them , challenged them , or 33:47.697 --> 33:49.808 hearing about the impact you have had 33:49.808 --> 33:49.189 within a command because of your 33:49.189 --> 33:51.550 friendly engaging disposition . You 33:51.550 --> 33:53.717 have a special gift of connecting with 33:53.717 --> 33:56.050 others and validating their experiences . 33:56.349 --> 33:58.516 There's no doubt in my mind that there 33:58.516 --> 34:00.793 is more for you to achieve as a Marine , 34:00.793 --> 34:00.510 but the kids and I are ready for no 34:00.510 --> 34:02.732 more missed sports seasons , holidays , 34:02.732 --> 34:05.010 milestones , and everything in between . 34:05.010 --> 34:07.066 I'm especially ready for you to come 34:07.066 --> 34:09.232 home so I don't have to tackle the man 34:09.232 --> 34:11.343 stuff on my own anymore . We love you 34:11.343 --> 34:13.566 more than words can express . Our pride 34:13.566 --> 34:15.788 is immeasurable . Well done , my love . 34:24.850 --> 34:28.820 Uh Well , I think , uh , Mark and uh my 34:28.820 --> 34:31.139 wife and my daughter may have hacked my 34:31.139 --> 34:33.195 account and kind of stole some of my 34:33.195 --> 34:35.250 comments , but I want to repeat them 34:35.250 --> 34:37.417 again . Um , first and foremost , uh , 34:37.417 --> 34:39.639 good afternoon , ladies and gentlemen . 34:39.639 --> 34:39.629 Uh , thank you for taking the time to 34:39.629 --> 34:41.685 celebrate this momentous occasion in 34:41.685 --> 34:43.907 the Rees family journey . I've tried to 34:43.907 --> 34:46.129 compose a perfect tribute to those I've 34:46.129 --> 34:48.351 esteemed , had the esteemed pleasure of 34:48.351 --> 34:50.573 serving alongside for nearly 25 years . 34:50.573 --> 34:52.685 I can't shake the feeling though that 34:52.685 --> 34:54.962 I'm about to recite my own eulogy , uh , 34:54.962 --> 34:57.185 in a way , in many ways it feels like a 34:57.185 --> 34:56.699 funeral to me . Words that have been 34:56.699 --> 34:58.755 spoken about me , friends and family 34:58.755 --> 35:00.977 who have never met or haven't seen each 35:00.977 --> 35:03.199 other in a while will connect over food 35:03.199 --> 35:05.310 and drink , and then just like that , 35:05.310 --> 35:05.169 the party will come to an end . Your 35:05.169 --> 35:07.340 lives will resume . The Marines will 35:07.340 --> 35:09.173 head out on the next mission and 35:09.173 --> 35:10.951 leaving me a their memory and a 35:10.951 --> 35:12.951 footnote in the rich history of our 35:12.951 --> 35:15.173 illustrious illustrious corps . This is 35:15.173 --> 35:17.451 truly a sad but bittersweet day for me . 35:17.451 --> 35:19.729 I'm eternally grateful for God's grace , 35:19.729 --> 35:19.199 mercy , protection , and above all , 35:19.239 --> 35:21.850 salvation . I give him the glory for 35:21.850 --> 35:23.840 everything I , or rather we have 35:23.840 --> 35:25.879 accomplished . I'd like to welcome 35:25.879 --> 35:28.199 Lieutenant General Worth , uh , PPNO 35:28.199 --> 35:30.199 Gunner of the Marine Corps , Jeremy 35:30.199 --> 35:32.310 Barone , uh , Colonel Thompson , Dave 35:32.310 --> 35:34.570 Wilson , Joe Mendez , April Merriman , 35:34.760 --> 35:36.982 uh , distinguished guests , friends and 35:36.982 --> 35:39.760 family , uh , truly is , uh , heartfelt 35:39.760 --> 35:41.871 and appreciated that you made time to 35:41.871 --> 35:43.871 be here today . I got guys and gals 35:43.871 --> 35:45.982 I've served with in combat whether it 35:45.982 --> 35:47.816 was on the new . Uh , uh , as an 35:47.816 --> 35:50.038 engineer , CEB some Marsuck friends and 35:50.038 --> 35:52.038 family that we deployed with , uh , 35:52.038 --> 35:53.927 drill instructors , uh , I mean , 35:53.927 --> 35:56.038 there's ever , there , there's people 35:56.038 --> 35:55.830 here from every stage of my career and 35:55.830 --> 35:57.941 even in my personal life , our church 35:57.941 --> 36:00.219 family , our neighbors from , you know , 36:00.219 --> 36:02.441 all around the world , uh , I thank you 36:02.441 --> 36:04.663 and , and my staff academy friend right 36:04.663 --> 36:06.830 there , Will Morris here , good to see 36:06.830 --> 36:06.550 you , brother . I'll see you back there , 36:06.669 --> 36:09.800 Jake , um . So I , I , to be honest , 36:09.820 --> 36:11.820 I'm just gonna kind of , you know , 36:11.820 --> 36:13.987 tell you I put this down , uh , over a 36:13.987 --> 36:16.098 couple of weeks drinking some beer at 36:16.098 --> 36:18.098 the house , uh , in my camper uh by 36:18.098 --> 36:20.431 myself , uh , and , and an Apple laptop , 36:21.300 --> 36:23.522 despite what my old XL might tell you , 36:23.522 --> 36:25.522 this is only chat GPT for errors of 36:25.522 --> 36:28.739 grammatical types . Um , so I do a 36:28.739 --> 36:30.906 little about the Marine Corps until my 36:30.906 --> 36:33.139 recruiter , uh , call me . Um , that 36:33.139 --> 36:35.361 last son of a gun he got me , I'll tell 36:35.361 --> 36:37.583 you . Um , I initially intended to join 36:37.583 --> 36:39.306 the Alabama National Guard for 36:39.306 --> 36:41.472 educational benefits and buy myself an 36:41.472 --> 36:43.760 F-250 . Uh , I had no idea what I was 36:43.760 --> 36:45.871 gonna study or become with a degree , 36:45.871 --> 36:47.927 but I thought that was what I did or 36:47.927 --> 36:49.982 had to do to be successful in life . 36:49.982 --> 36:52.204 However , like a fool , I marked that I 36:52.204 --> 36:52.040 was interested in the military on some 36:52.040 --> 36:54.373 standardized test I took in high school , 36:54.373 --> 36:56.484 and 72 hours later , in the staff are 36:56.484 --> 36:58.596 Scott Favors , a United States Marine 36:58.596 --> 37:00.762 Corps recruiter , a highly trained and 37:00.762 --> 37:03.639 skilled liar . I'm just kidding , 37:03.689 --> 37:05.649 brother . So I showed up at Parris 37:05.649 --> 37:07.409 Island and I learned , uh , on 37:07.409 --> 37:09.520 performing day 4 , which is the first 37:09.520 --> 37:11.465 Sunday where your senior drill ser 37:11.465 --> 37:11.129 comes out and talks to you , and he's 37:11.129 --> 37:12.962 asking about these things called 37:12.962 --> 37:15.018 reservist , 92 day reservist , and I 37:15.018 --> 37:17.018 was really that I never heard about 37:17.018 --> 37:18.962 Marine Corps reserves . Uh , I , I 37:18.962 --> 37:20.962 surely would have gone that route , 37:20.962 --> 37:23.018 especially knowing what I know now , 37:23.018 --> 37:25.018 but as you can see , I survived and 37:25.018 --> 37:27.296 made a career out of this . Uh , Scott , 37:27.296 --> 37:29.518 thank you for setting me on this path . 37:29.518 --> 37:31.629 I found a network of loving , amazing 37:31.629 --> 37:31.100 people who have given Yvonne , our 37:31.100 --> 37:33.267 children and me a family and a support 37:33.267 --> 37:35.267 system that works cannot adequately 37:35.267 --> 37:38.350 express our gratitude for . So I regret 37:38.350 --> 37:40.406 to say , ladies and gentlemen , as a 37:40.406 --> 37:42.572 former drill instructor , my recruiter 37:42.572 --> 37:42.510 had a bigger impact on me than my drill 37:42.510 --> 37:45.510 instructor . Um , as a small town kid 37:45.510 --> 37:47.454 from Alabama , I grew up in church 37:47.454 --> 37:49.288 looking at pictures of people in 37:49.288 --> 37:51.288 biblical times in Sunday school and 37:51.288 --> 37:51.030 reading about the Roman Empire in high 37:51.030 --> 37:53.252 school . I was amazed to look back upon 37:53.252 --> 37:55.197 all the places and experiences the 37:55.197 --> 37:57.419 Marine Corps has afforded me . I walked 37:57.419 --> 37:59.363 amongst the people of many distant 37:59.363 --> 37:59.350 lands , people who still dress like 37:59.350 --> 38:01.729 those in biblical times . I walked 38:01.729 --> 38:03.840 through the ruins of Carthage , stood 38:03.840 --> 38:05.896 on Hacksaw Ridge , sailed across the 38:05.896 --> 38:08.062 high seas along the coast of Vietnam , 38:08.062 --> 38:10.173 and visited Korea , both places where 38:10.173 --> 38:12.396 my grandfather fought . I've trained in 38:12.396 --> 38:14.562 Hawaii and I've toured that one street 38:14.562 --> 38:14.080 in Guam . If you've been there , you 38:14.080 --> 38:17.040 know what I'm talking about . Um , I 38:17.040 --> 38:19.262 partied like a rock star in Australia , 38:19.262 --> 38:21.373 Bahrain in Singapore . I've lived and 38:21.373 --> 38:23.540 fought in the arid deserts down at the 38:23.540 --> 38:25.707 cradle of civilization . I've seen the 38:25.707 --> 38:24.939 ancient ruins of Genghis Khan's 38:24.939 --> 38:27.469 conquest . The majestic beauty of the 38:27.469 --> 38:29.358 northern lights and the above the 38:29.358 --> 38:31.413 Arctic Circle in Norway , I strolled 38:31.413 --> 38:33.469 the beaches of Normandy and roam the 38:33.469 --> 38:33.419 rolling hills of the French countryside , 38:33.469 --> 38:35.909 just to name a few . If you ever 38:35.909 --> 38:38.076 question the significance or the value 38:38.076 --> 38:39.965 of your service or the sacrifices 38:39.965 --> 38:42.131 sacrifices made by young men and women 38:42.131 --> 38:44.353 who represent the 50 white stars in the 38:44.353 --> 38:46.576 royal blue square with 13 red and white 38:46.576 --> 38:48.798 stripes , or those who gave their lives 38:48.798 --> 38:48.469 for a cause greater than one individual . 38:49.179 --> 38:51.235 I encourage you and challenge you to 38:51.235 --> 38:53.401 visit the small quaint villages around 38:53.401 --> 38:55.568 places like Ballou , France , or speak 38:55.568 --> 38:57.790 to a young Iraqi or Afghan American who 38:57.790 --> 39:00.012 was just a young child when a US Marine 39:00.012 --> 39:02.123 kicked in their front door or stormed 39:02.123 --> 39:04.290 their village in the tactical vehicles 39:04.290 --> 39:06.512 who are now US Marines . Because the US 39:06.512 --> 39:08.512 Marines , countless people know the 39:08.512 --> 39:10.568 feeling of freedom from purity . And 39:10.568 --> 39:12.123 the joy of liberty to seize 39:12.123 --> 39:14.346 opportunities for the better tomorrow . 39:14.346 --> 39:16.346 The words and gestures of gratitude 39:16.346 --> 39:16.189 will stir your heart and bring forth 39:16.189 --> 39:18.411 emotions of great pride for all we have 39:18.411 --> 39:20.745 done as a court for more than 249 years . 39:20.745 --> 39:22.578 I've also witnessed the worst of 39:22.578 --> 39:24.745 humanity through the lens of war , and 39:24.745 --> 39:26.856 I've also seen and been the recipient 39:26.856 --> 39:26.620 of the simplest acts of kindness and 39:26.620 --> 39:28.842 compassion , providing comfort in times 39:28.842 --> 39:30.810 of need and hurt . Marine leaders 39:30.810 --> 39:32.921 changed lives so dra drastically that 39:32.921 --> 39:34.866 it can only be attributed to God's 39:34.866 --> 39:36.699 design and perfect timing for us 39:36.699 --> 39:38.977 crossing past at just the right moment . 39:38.977 --> 39:41.254 So never miss an opportunity to engage , 39:41.254 --> 39:43.421 inspire , and influence your Marines . 39:43.421 --> 39:43.209 Who knows one day that young man or 39:43.209 --> 39:45.209 woman might be the Sergeant Major 6 39:45.209 --> 39:47.320 Marine Regiment or the Vice President 39:47.320 --> 39:49.320 of the United States of America . I 39:49.320 --> 39:51.542 cannot begin to name all of you in this 39:51.542 --> 39:51.350 room , let alone those who are not 39:51.350 --> 39:53.239 present , and speak to the impact 39:53.239 --> 39:55.461 you've had on my career and my family . 39:55.461 --> 39:57.461 I started as a kid that you believe 39:57.461 --> 39:56.790 would amount to anything . I stayed in 39:56.790 --> 39:59.012 trouble as a kid , and some even said I 39:59.012 --> 40:01.234 would never make it through boot camp . 40:01.234 --> 40:03.234 Yet because they're great Americans 40:03.234 --> 40:05.401 like you , I am here . As a small core 40:05.401 --> 40:04.949 of people from all corners of the 40:04.949 --> 40:07.060 states , all walks of life , colors , 40:07.060 --> 40:09.171 religions , cultures , etc . you name 40:09.171 --> 40:11.282 it , we have collectively penned many 40:11.282 --> 40:13.282 captivated chapters in the diary of 40:13.282 --> 40:15.282 Lady Liberty , stories that will be 40:15.282 --> 40:15.110 told for hundreds of years in 40:15.110 --> 40:17.629 schoolbooks , the memories we of our 40:17.629 --> 40:19.962 shared experiences , be they good , bad , 40:19.962 --> 40:22.129 challenging , or miserable , will will 40:22.129 --> 40:24.240 remain with me until my last breath . 40:24.870 --> 40:26.648 However , I'd be foolish not to 40:26.648 --> 40:28.759 acknowledge a few of you here today . 40:28.759 --> 40:30.926 In no particular order , Mama , if you 40:30.926 --> 40:32.926 ain't got yourself a mama , you are 40:32.926 --> 40:35.148 severely missing out on the good things 40:35.148 --> 40:36.981 in life . Uh , she's more than a 40:36.981 --> 40:39.148 grandmother . She's the cornerstone of 40:39.148 --> 40:41.370 a family , uh , a great wisdom , uh , a 40:41.370 --> 40:41.370 great woman whose wisdom and love guide 40:41.370 --> 40:43.481 us through life's challenges . Mama , 40:43.481 --> 40:45.703 your , your wisdom is a gift that we're 40:45.703 --> 40:47.926 forever grateful for , and your love is 40:47.926 --> 40:47.639 a constant reminder of the importance 40:47.639 --> 40:49.770 of family and tradition . Chris 40:49.770 --> 40:51.881 Westbrook , Carlos Vasquez , and Mark 40:51.881 --> 40:53.881 Chabo , close friends in the Marine 40:53.881 --> 40:56.048 Corps become family . We stand by each 40:56.048 --> 40:57.937 other in times of need , offering 40:57.937 --> 40:59.992 unwavering support and understanding 40:59.992 --> 41:02.159 that only fellow Marines can provide . 41:02.159 --> 41:02.050 You're a source of strength and a 41:02.050 --> 41:04.050 source of wisdom and some dang good 41:04.050 --> 41:06.272 times . Carlos , who would have thought 41:06.272 --> 41:08.106 that a gringo from Alabama and a 41:08.106 --> 41:10.217 Mexican boy from East LA would become 41:10.217 --> 41:12.272 the best of friends . You're my best 41:12.272 --> 41:14.494 man at my wedding . We deployed several 41:14.494 --> 41:16.383 times together and remained close 41:16.383 --> 41:18.383 friends for more than 23 years . If 41:18.383 --> 41:17.989 there's ever one thing I can say about 41:17.989 --> 41:20.156 you is you're always a good listener , 41:20.156 --> 41:22.045 full of wisdom and common sense . 41:22.045 --> 41:24.156 Thanks for teaching me that Taco Bell 41:24.156 --> 41:25.989 is not real Mexican food . I got 41:25.989 --> 41:27.878 nothing but love for you and your 41:27.878 --> 41:29.933 family . Mark , my four ak brother , 41:29.933 --> 41:32.045 we've endured the rigors of the depot 41:32.045 --> 41:33.989 not just once but twice together , 41:33.989 --> 41:35.989 slept on the side of ID Ladin roads 41:35.989 --> 41:37.989 around a campfire making fun of our 41:37.989 --> 41:40.267 Keem Young and until he's fighting mad . 41:40.267 --> 41:42.489 Had many conversations about leadership 41:42.489 --> 41:44.711 and family . You've been one of my most 41:44.711 --> 41:46.545 trusted advisors , mentors , and 41:46.545 --> 41:48.711 influencers . Must love my New England 41:48.711 --> 41:50.767 brother Christopher Mark Westbrook , 41:50.767 --> 41:52.860 old son . There ain't too much we 41:52.860 --> 41:54.860 haven't done or tried to do . We've 41:54.860 --> 41:56.693 hunted fish , made marines , led 41:56.693 --> 41:58.638 Marines in combat , drank our fair 41:58.638 --> 42:00.582 share of beers together and broken 42:00.582 --> 42:02.916 bread countless times with our families . 42:02.916 --> 42:05.082 Your mom and dad are a waypoint for me 42:05.082 --> 42:04.540 to sleep driving across country , and 42:04.540 --> 42:07.050 your wife has even done my laundry . Uh , 42:07.790 --> 42:09.901 your kids are my nieces and nephews . 42:11.189 --> 42:13.245 We've walked each other through some 42:13.245 --> 42:14.967 hard and challenging times and 42:14.967 --> 42:17.078 situations in our personal lives . We 42:17.078 --> 42:16.669 are always there when each other is in 42:16.669 --> 42:18.550 a bind . I'm not seeing a better 42:18.550 --> 42:20.909 example of a man , father , husband , 42:20.989 --> 42:23.689 son , or brother that I've observed in 42:23.689 --> 42:25.856 that I've observed in you since 2003 . 42:26.429 --> 42:28.373 For a Texan , you're all right , I 42:28.373 --> 42:30.429 reckon . Uh , to our 9 minds and our 42:30.429 --> 42:32.651 church family , thank you for embracing 42:32.651 --> 42:34.540 us with open arms . Your warmth , 42:34.540 --> 42:36.762 kindness , and hospitality made us feel 42:36.762 --> 42:38.985 not just welcome but truly at home . We 42:38.985 --> 42:40.929 feel blessed to be part of such a 42:40.929 --> 42:43.207 caring and compassionate church family . 42:43.207 --> 42:45.207 Thank you to my former commanders . 42:45.290 --> 42:47.401 Thank you for allowing me the freedom 42:47.401 --> 42:49.568 to lead in my own way . Your trust and 42:49.568 --> 42:48.889 confidence in my leadership have 42:48.889 --> 42:50.778 enabled me to grow and excel both 42:50.778 --> 42:52.889 personally and professionally . To my 42:52.889 --> 42:54.945 parents , now that I have 2 kids , I 42:54.945 --> 42:57.000 understand that you did the best for 42:57.000 --> 42:58.833 the hand you were dealt . I know 42:58.833 --> 43:00.945 certainly the hardest of the three to 43:00.945 --> 43:00.320 raise , but you resolve , patience , 43:00.360 --> 43:02.360 and love are a big part of who I am 43:02.360 --> 43:04.471 standing here today . I thank you for 43:04.471 --> 43:06.638 not giving up on me , even though that 43:06.638 --> 43:06.510 would have been the easiest thing to do . 43:06.679 --> 43:08.846 I never ran out of Copenhagen or Oreos 43:08.846 --> 43:10.901 on deployments , and thanks to you . 43:10.959 --> 43:12.959 You've not always , you have always 43:12.959 --> 43:15.070 been there when I needed you the most 43:15.070 --> 43:17.237 and then without delay . Hopefully now 43:17.237 --> 43:19.237 I can do the same if for you if the 43:19.237 --> 43:21.181 need arises . I love y'all . To my 43:21.181 --> 43:23.292 brothers and sisters-in-laws , nieces 43:23.292 --> 43:23.219 and nephews , you guys are turning 43:23.219 --> 43:25.108 right , turning out right or have 43:25.108 --> 43:27.330 turned out right . You're beautiful and 43:27.330 --> 43:29.441 happy families , and I love you all . 43:29.441 --> 43:31.497 To my brothers , Michael and Chris , 43:31.497 --> 43:33.719 even though you're soldiers , thank you 43:33.719 --> 43:32.860 for your service and stepping in to 43:32.860 --> 43:35.138 help Yvonne and the kids when I'm away . 43:35.138 --> 43:37.909 Thank you , and I love you . I'm just 43:37.909 --> 43:40.076 gonna read this because if I look over 43:40.076 --> 43:42.699 here at you 3 , it's over . Um , Yvonne , 43:42.750 --> 43:44.917 I remember very clearly the first time 43:44.917 --> 43:47.139 I saw you . For me it was truly love at 43:47.139 --> 43:49.361 first sight . However , folks , it took 43:49.361 --> 43:51.472 a miraculous combination of events to 43:51.472 --> 43:50.840 set conditions for our hearts to me . 43:51.830 --> 43:53.830 It started with a field op that was 43:53.830 --> 43:55.997 stalled by flash floods and 29 Palms . 43:55.997 --> 43:58.189 My safety doc was uh was Yvonne . We 43:58.189 --> 44:00.133 spent at least 2 days stuck in the 44:00.133 --> 44:02.300 middle of the desert out in 29 Palms . 44:02.300 --> 44:04.356 She wasn't a fan of MREs . Luckily I 44:04.356 --> 44:06.578 was a good sergeant and I had a loaf of 44:06.578 --> 44:06.479 bread and some peanut butter and jelly . 44:07.250 --> 44:09.528 I made her a field expedia at PB and J . 44:09.528 --> 44:11.528 then I took her to the Marine Corps 44:11.528 --> 44:13.639 ball when we got back . When I picked 44:13.639 --> 44:15.861 her up , it was the first time I'd ever 44:15.861 --> 44:15.729 seen her out of uniform . My initial 44:15.729 --> 44:17.840 thought was , wow , my second thought 44:17.840 --> 44:20.062 was this is a one time deal because she 44:20.062 --> 44:22.062 is way too beautiful for me to have 44:22.062 --> 44:24.062 this last . That sandwich has since 44:24.062 --> 44:26.229 evolved into a love that is enduring , 44:26.229 --> 44:28.396 resilient , and the foundation for why 44:28.396 --> 44:27.729 I'm able to stand here today with all 44:27.729 --> 44:29.951 the successes of my career and personal 44:29.951 --> 44:31.896 accomplishments . Together we have 44:31.896 --> 44:34.007 broken the circle , made it work when 44:34.007 --> 44:36.118 it didn't want to , refused to quit , 44:36.118 --> 44:35.810 comforted each other , encouraged each 44:35.810 --> 44:38.032 other in our own ways . And then during 44:38.032 --> 44:40.143 a heartbreak that will never healed . 44:40.143 --> 44:42.421 Our broken road has truly been blessed . 44:42.421 --> 44:44.421 You're the love of my life . You've 44:44.421 --> 44:44.389 given up a career to not to not just 44:44.389 --> 44:46.389 follow me around the globe , but to 44:46.389 --> 44:48.222 support me and raise our amazing 44:48.222 --> 44:50.111 children . Know that the health , 44:50.111 --> 44:52.167 character , memories , and love that 44:52.167 --> 44:51.580 those two youngins right there next to 44:51.580 --> 44:54.050 you have had ingrained in them through 44:54.050 --> 44:56.217 your compassion , loving affection and 44:56.217 --> 44:58.161 commitment to our family is highly 44:58.161 --> 45:00.161 dreamed about and sought around the 45:00.161 --> 45:02.272 world . It's the little things you do 45:02.272 --> 45:01.750 that have had the biggest effect on our 45:01.750 --> 45:04.350 family . Your accomplishments as a wife 45:04.350 --> 45:06.350 and mother for surpass that I might 45:06.350 --> 45:08.406 have , that I might have found along 45:08.406 --> 45:10.572 our way as a Marine . Those kids and I 45:10.572 --> 45:12.628 will have many careers , but we will 45:12.628 --> 45:14.683 only ever have one wife and one mama 45:14.683 --> 45:16.294 bear , and you're one highly 45:16.294 --> 45:18.461 accomplished domestic scientist . So I 45:18.461 --> 45:20.628 have a small token of appreciation for 45:20.628 --> 45:22.649 you . Peanut and jelly . 45:26.110 --> 45:27.110 Yeah . 45:32.570 --> 45:35.050 And that was made by Carolina with lots 45:35.050 --> 45:38.820 of love . To my kids , 45:38.949 --> 45:41.171 I know right now you might believe that 45:41.171 --> 45:43.171 all the moves , this special days , 45:43.171 --> 45:45.393 events , and moments in your lives have 45:45.393 --> 45:44.629 been me placing the Marine Corps and 45:44.629 --> 45:46.462 the Marines as my top priority . 45:46.709 --> 45:48.820 However , one day you'll look back on 45:48.820 --> 45:51.042 your time as military brats and realize 45:51.042 --> 45:50.719 that everything your mom and I have 45:50.719 --> 45:52.775 done has been our best effort to set 45:52.775 --> 45:54.552 conditions for your success and 45:54.552 --> 45:56.163 happiness in life . You have 45:56.163 --> 45:58.330 experiences and friends and an outlook 45:58.330 --> 46:00.497 on life that those kids back home will 46:00.497 --> 46:02.608 never attain . Always be proud of who 46:02.608 --> 46:02.229 you are , what you've done , and where 46:02.229 --> 46:05.010 you've been . Alina , baby girl , you 46:05.010 --> 46:07.010 are a miracle . When your mom and I 46:07.010 --> 46:09.177 were lost and hopeless , you came into 46:09.177 --> 46:11.343 our lives , rejuvenated our love , and 46:11.343 --> 46:13.232 so our hurting hearts . You're an 46:13.232 --> 46:15.343 amazing , special , funny and smart . 46:15.343 --> 46:17.510 I've always been amazed by your caring 46:17.510 --> 46:17.500 and compassionate personality . You had 46:17.500 --> 46:19.667 the best of me and your mom , and it's 46:19.667 --> 46:21.611 such an incredibly incredibly well 46:21.611 --> 46:23.611 balanced mixture . I'm proud of you 46:23.611 --> 46:25.611 beyond words . Your stubbornness to 46:25.611 --> 46:27.722 succeed despite whatever weakness you 46:27.722 --> 46:29.833 may have is admirable . While you may 46:29.833 --> 46:31.944 not be the most skilled at times , it 46:31.944 --> 46:34.056 is abundantly obviously you're always 46:34.056 --> 46:33.520 leading and encouraging others with 46:33.520 --> 46:35.520 kind words , all while demanding of 46:35.520 --> 46:37.409 yourself and being your own worst 46:37.409 --> 46:39.353 critic . That is what elevates you 46:39.353 --> 46:41.409 above most and will carry you far in 46:41.409 --> 46:43.520 this life . I don't know what God has 46:43.520 --> 46:45.742 in store for you , but I certainly pray 46:45.742 --> 46:45.229 that it's everything I hope you , you 46:45.229 --> 46:47.340 have earned and I think you deserve . 46:47.959 --> 46:50.181 Don't settle for anything , work hard , 46:50.181 --> 46:52.403 take risks and remain grounded in God . 46:52.403 --> 46:54.515 I'm highly impressed and proud of the 46:54.515 --> 46:56.681 woman you're growing into , and I look 46:56.681 --> 46:58.903 forward to all the greatness ahead . JR 46:58.903 --> 47:02.270 little buddy . I wish that I was able 47:02.270 --> 47:04.548 to get you to understand what your mom , 47:04.548 --> 47:06.603 me and so many others see in you . I 47:06.603 --> 47:08.770 believe that God has given you so many 47:08.770 --> 47:10.881 talents and that you have no idea how 47:10.881 --> 47:12.992 special you are . I've yet to see you 47:12.992 --> 47:15.159 do something you're not good at except 47:15.159 --> 47:14.020 for staying out of the principal's 47:14.020 --> 47:17.050 office , but you come by that naturally . 47:17.699 --> 47:19.699 Watching you play ball is one of my 47:19.699 --> 47:21.810 favorite things in this life . I hope 47:21.810 --> 47:23.810 you are able and blessed to play as 47:23.810 --> 47:23.780 long as it makes you happy . I've been 47:23.780 --> 47:25.724 told several times in the last few 47:25.724 --> 47:27.669 years by coaches and parents . But 47:27.669 --> 47:29.780 watch you play sports that you have a 47:29.780 --> 47:31.947 special gift . They don't tell me that 47:31.947 --> 47:34.113 for my own satisfaction , son . It's a 47:34.113 --> 47:36.280 reminder to me in their opinion that I 47:36.280 --> 47:38.336 am obligated as your dad to push you 47:38.439 --> 47:40.495 and ensure that you work hard and do 47:40.495 --> 47:42.717 the most for your talent , skills , and 47:42.717 --> 47:44.717 leadership that God has blessed you 47:44.717 --> 47:46.828 with . Your grit and toughness , both 47:46.828 --> 47:49.161 physical and mental , have demonstrated , 47:49.161 --> 47:49.110 have been demonstrated on many 47:49.110 --> 47:51.221 occasions , especially when you broke 47:51.221 --> 47:53.850 your leg . No tears , no complaining , 47:53.949 --> 47:56.060 just good old fashioned determination 47:56.060 --> 47:58.005 to heal , recover and get back out 47:58.005 --> 48:00.116 there playing ball , living your best 48:00.116 --> 48:02.282 life . I admire so much about you , my 48:02.282 --> 48:04.449 son . I hope one day I can be half the 48:04.449 --> 48:03.879 man that I see you growing into . 48:04.110 --> 48:06.221 You're such a sweet , kind and loving 48:06.221 --> 48:08.332 soul . Always stay true to yourself . 48:08.332 --> 48:10.989 You have a gift . Don't waste it 48:10.989 --> 48:13.156 dreaming and hoping for an opportunity 48:13.156 --> 48:15.322 to shine . Light your fire and blaze a 48:15.322 --> 48:17.600 trail , no matter where that leads you . 48:17.600 --> 48:19.656 I know it will be amazing , and I'll 48:19.656 --> 48:21.949 always be proud you carry my name . All 48:21.949 --> 48:23.949 I ever wanted since each of you was 48:23.949 --> 48:26.171 born was for you to look back and say I 48:26.171 --> 48:26.149 had a good dad . It's the only mission 48:26.149 --> 48:28.093 I've ever had that's truly a no-fi 48:28.093 --> 48:30.149 mission . And as always , I love you 48:30.149 --> 48:33.899 because my heart is bigger . I , I am 48:33.899 --> 48:36.066 sincerely proud to have been entrusted 48:36.066 --> 48:38.010 and privileged to serve this great 48:38.010 --> 48:40.121 nation as a United States Marine . We 48:40.121 --> 48:39.939 will present opportunities for the 48:39.939 --> 48:42.106 oppressed , at least for those in dire 48:42.106 --> 48:44.217 straits , and facilitate death to the 48:44.217 --> 48:46.328 terrorist and tyrant on behalf of the 48:46.328 --> 48:48.328 Lady Liberty around the globe for a 48:48.328 --> 48:50.439 better tomorrow for so many . My good 48:50.439 --> 48:52.383 friend and former CEO Colonel Greg 48:52.383 --> 48:51.800 Gordon once told me that retirement 48:51.800 --> 48:53.800 speeches should be short and to the 48:53.800 --> 48:56.022 point because no one will remember what 48:56.022 --> 48:58.078 you said . So in case I went along , 48:58.078 --> 49:00.189 please remember this . I am eternally 49:00.189 --> 49:02.189 indebted to those I served with and 49:02.189 --> 49:04.244 proud to be a United States Marine . 49:04.244 --> 49:06.411 Thank you all for what you do daily as 49:06.411 --> 49:08.633 Marines to provide opportunities to the 49:08.633 --> 49:08.330 citizens of this republic who took an 49:08.330 --> 49:10.760 oath to get in this arena . People like 49:10.760 --> 49:12.982 you give kids like me an opportunity to 49:12.982 --> 49:15.093 compete in the discipline and support 49:15.093 --> 49:17.439 to succeed . I'm sure I have , I'm sure 49:17.439 --> 49:19.606 I have exceeded all expectations of my 49:19.606 --> 49:21.495 family , teachers , coaches , and 49:21.495 --> 49:23.772 classmates back in Hansville , Alabama . 49:23.772 --> 49:25.939 So from the bottom of my heart , thank 49:25.939 --> 49:27.995 you and much love to you and yours . 49:27.995 --> 49:27.830 Superfila . 49:47.209 --> 49:51.129 Mhm Ladies and 49:51.129 --> 49:53.310 gentlemen , flowers are now being 49:53.310 --> 49:55.590 delivered to Mrs . Yvonne Rees and Miss 49:55.590 --> 49:58.020 Elena Rees on behalf of Sergeant Major 49:58.020 --> 50:00.590 Reese as a token of appreciation for 50:00.590 --> 50:02.534 their unwavering support for their 50:02.534 --> 50:06.520 husband and father . JR is 50:06.520 --> 50:08.631 being presented with a small token of 50:08.631 --> 50:11.610 love and appreciation from his dad . A 50:11.610 --> 50:12.760 vain . 50:22.830 --> 50:25.060 Ladies and gentlemen , at this time , 50:25.189 --> 50:27.078 in order to honor our marines and 50:27.078 --> 50:29.245 sailors , both past and present , that 50:29.245 --> 50:31.522 have served in the 2nd Marine Division , 50:31.522 --> 50:33.709 we ask all active duty and veteran 50:33.709 --> 50:36.030 members of the division to stand and be 50:36.030 --> 50:38.086 recognized during the playing of the 50:38.086 --> 50:40.540 2nd Marine Division song . Follow Me . 50:41.270 --> 50:43.492 This song , etched in the hearts of all 50:43.492 --> 50:45.548 members of the 2nd Marine Division , 50:45.548 --> 50:47.603 has its roots in the bloody struggle 50:47.603 --> 50:51.379 for Tawa Atoll in 1943 . It is in 50:51.379 --> 50:53.212 remembering this battle that the 50:53.212 --> 50:55.435 Marines and sailors standing before you 50:55.435 --> 50:57.268 today are reminded of both their 50:57.268 --> 50:59.379 sacrifice and their comrades who made 50:59.379 --> 51:01.601 the ultimate sacrifice for our nation's 51:01.601 --> 51:04.540 freedom . Upon completion , please 51:04.540 --> 51:06.540 remain standing or stand for the 51:06.540 --> 51:08.318 playing of anchors away and the 51:08.318 --> 51:09.318 Marine's hymn . 52:33.860 --> 52:36.000 From the halls of . 52:38.189 --> 52:38.899 the soul . 52:44.270 --> 52:46.449 Um of the 52:53.110 --> 52:57.110 right . a . 53:06.479 --> 53:07.479 there 53:11.659 --> 53:14.370 Ladies and gentlemen , this concludes 53:14.370 --> 53:16.592 today's retirement ceremony . Please be 53:16.592 --> 53:17.592 seated . 53:22.489 --> 53:25.590 to make . I don't 53:30.510 --> 53:31.510 Oh 53:36.540 --> 53:39.770 Ladies and gentlemen , family and 53:39.770 --> 53:42.969 friends . In May of 2000 , 53:43.419 --> 53:46.739 Sergeant Major Dwayne Reese left the 53:46.739 --> 53:50.179 comforts of his home state of Alabama 53:51.060 --> 53:53.290 and set out on a journey for something 53:53.820 --> 53:56.280 that was larger than himself . 53:57.699 --> 54:00.919 Early into his journey , he gained an 54:00.919 --> 54:03.860 extra set of sea legs as he married the 54:03.860 --> 54:07.530 famous HM2 Yvonne Collins . 54:08.669 --> 54:11.879 For over 24 years , Sergeant Major 54:11.879 --> 54:15.060 Reese has faithfully stood the infamous 54:15.429 --> 54:18.629 Marine Corps Watch while some of us 54:19.350 --> 54:22.500 lay our rats sound asleep at night 54:23.070 --> 54:26.949 dreaming of our futures . This marine 54:27.659 --> 54:30.739 stood to watch while some of you were 54:30.739 --> 54:34.209 in school . Learning our trade and 54:34.209 --> 54:37.260 mastering our craft , this 54:37.260 --> 54:40.689 marine stood to watch , and 54:40.689 --> 54:44.080 yes , even before some of us were born 54:44.370 --> 54:47.959 into this beautiful world , this marine 54:48.649 --> 54:51.679 and his sailors stood to watch 54:53.050 --> 54:56.870 for over 24 years , this marine 54:56.870 --> 55:00.120 stood to watch . Those years 55:00.969 --> 55:03.969 when the storm clouds of war were seen 55:03.969 --> 55:06.479 brewing on the horizon of our history , 55:07.610 --> 55:11.209 this marine did not waver , but 55:11.209 --> 55:15.209 he stood to watch many 55:15.209 --> 55:18.750 times he would cast an eye ashore . And 55:18.750 --> 55:21.750 you see his faithful wife Yvonne and 55:21.750 --> 55:24.500 his children Alina and JR 55:25.350 --> 55:28.939 standing there with tears in their eyes 55:29.500 --> 55:32.159 needing his help and his guidance 55:33.030 --> 55:35.790 needing that strong hand to hold during 55:35.790 --> 55:38.110 the most difficult and challenging 55:38.110 --> 55:42.070 times but yet he understood 55:42.070 --> 55:44.489 the dangers that threatened the 55:44.489 --> 55:47.219 American freedoms and safeties that we 55:47.219 --> 55:50.889 have . And therefore he stood to 55:50.889 --> 55:54.449 watch for over 24 55:54.449 --> 55:57.560 years this marine stood to watch . 55:58.530 --> 56:01.449 He stood to watch so that we , our 56:01.449 --> 56:04.229 families and our fellow countrymen . 56:05.229 --> 56:08.360 Could sleep soundly and safety each and 56:08.360 --> 56:10.610 every night knowing 56:16.909 --> 56:18.909 that United States Marine stood was 56:18.909 --> 56:20.853 serving our nation , this corpsman 56:20.853 --> 56:23.500 stood on the shore . Fighting back the 56:23.500 --> 56:27.209 fear that he may not return , in his 56:27.209 --> 56:29.899 absences she had to deal with car 56:29.899 --> 56:33.340 repairs , home maintenances , financial 56:33.340 --> 56:35.379 worries , children's injuries and 56:35.379 --> 56:38.459 illnesses , and now where to put a bear 56:38.459 --> 56:42.270 at . All these and many 56:42.270 --> 56:45.229 more , she didn't strive while he was 56:45.229 --> 56:49.030 serving our nation proudly , and as she 56:49.030 --> 56:51.870 has for many years as a marine wife 56:51.870 --> 56:55.780 standing on the shore soon . The pipe 56:55.780 --> 56:58.060 will sound , and her marine will come 56:58.060 --> 57:01.939 ashore for one last time , and as he 57:01.939 --> 57:05.020 is relieved of his final watch in the 57:05.020 --> 57:08.159 United States Marine Corps , so too 57:08.739 --> 57:12.219 does hers . We gratefully honor 57:13.510 --> 57:16.699 her steadfastness , courage 57:17.590 --> 57:20.550 that she has given her marine all these 57:20.550 --> 57:23.550 years , and we wish the both of them 57:23.830 --> 57:26.260 for this new journey they now begin . 57:29.979 --> 57:31.757 The Marines that you have led , 57:32.389 --> 57:36.354 mentored . Trade and led with 57:37.304 --> 57:40.445 will carry your legacy far into the 57:40.445 --> 57:44.445 future . Today we are 57:44.445 --> 57:47.995 here to say Sergeant Major Dwayne Reese 57:48.844 --> 57:51.844 and Yvonne Reese , stand at ease 57:51.844 --> 57:55.044 warriors , your mission has been 57:55.044 --> 57:58.179 accomplished . And your heavenly angel , 58:05.340 --> 58:08.729 Haley cadence grace with that 58:08.729 --> 58:12.580 big beautiful smile on her 58:12.580 --> 58:15.929 face would look at you both and say 58:19.300 --> 58:22.580 well done , mom and daddy . Now it's 58:22.580 --> 58:24.959 time to come home and be together again . 58:32.270 --> 58:34.492 Sergeant Major Dwayne Reese and Reese , 58:36.919 --> 58:40.229 your final orders are to stand relieved 58:40.229 --> 58:43.820 Marine , because we have to watch . 59:01.409 --> 59:03.540 Ladies and gentlemen , Sergeant Major 59:03.540 --> 59:05.689 Reese , United States Marine Corps 59:05.689 --> 59:08.649 retired , quarterly invites friends and 59:08.649 --> 59:10.538 family to join him for drinks and 59:10.538 --> 59:12.639 nachos at the Tun Alley Bar . 59:23.689 --> 59:23.919 Listen ,