Legendary Marine Raiders attend MARSOC's renaming ceremony. Can you imagine the pride these men felt?

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 02:11:56 -0400

In a brief formal ceremony at its headquarters here Friday, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command momentarily deactivated its eight subordinate units, reactivating them immediately with new names and new battle colors bearing the Raiders' name.

For Kenneth "Mudhole" Merrill, 91, one of three original World War II Raiders at the ceremony, the new name carries with it the hope of a pedigree that won't die out.

"Today's our day. Our legacy goes on now. This is the greatest thing that ever happened," Merrill said, eyes misting. "And I know that all our dead buddies, our companions, I know that they're jumping for joy. And there's not very many of us left, I know, but this is a great, great moment for us."

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/06/19/return-of-the-raiders-marine-legends-attend-marsoc-renaming-event/29000153/

Legendary Marine Raiders attend MARSOC's renaming ceremony

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — The Marine Raiders are back. In a brief formal ceremony at its headquarters here Friday, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2015 2:17 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 02:17:48 -0400

I think it was an outstanding idea to rename them. I'm also glad that the corps joined the party of SOCOM. Recon is best for the mission that they where designed for.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Jun 20 at 2015 2:48 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 02:48:40 -0400

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jun 20 at 2015 7:56 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 07:56:31 -0400

Great story and a head nod to all of those Marine Raiders that came before. They got it right on this one. Semper Fi.

Response by GySgt Jim Bishop made Jul 6 at 2015 11:12 AM

GySgt Jim Bishop — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 11:12:13 -0400

Ooh Rah!!

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Aug 28 at 2015 2:59 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 14:59:41 -0400

Having seen the dedication and tenacious fighting spirit of 2/7 Marines during my last deployment in 2008, I know for a fact that this change is received with pride and honor.

Response by SSG Byron Hewett made Oct 18 at 2015 11:58 AM

SSG Byron Hewett — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 11:58:42 -0400

My Great Grandpa was Major W.S. LeFranois USMC he was with Col. Carlson's 2nd Raider BN when they went to Makin Island and He (my Great Grandpa) wrote the WWII movie Gung Ho staring Randolph Scott. So I'm feeling too and that was a very historic change to rename them Raiders.
Semper Fi

Response by LCpl David Pike made Oct 5 at 2016 1:29 PM

LCpl David Pike — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 13:29:48 -0400

The Raiders were some Bad mo God!!

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Mar 1 at 2019 9:51 PM

SSG Byron Howard Sr — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 21:51:21 -0500

The Argonaut returning to Pearl Harbor after their Makin Raid. My Dad is in there.