The group of veterans was comprised of former Marines whose average age is 92 years old. They represent the remaining survivors of the 1st Marine Armored Amphibian Battalion. The 1st Marine Armored Amphibian Battalion originally comprised of over 830 men who were involved in the last three "super" battles of World War II. As part of this first-ever formed battalion, Marines were trained and deployed for combat within five months, with a mission to lead assaults on enemy-held beaches. These special armored amphibians were created specifically for war in the Pacific Ocean to carryout assaults from sea, across coral reefs, and onto hostile beaches.
On their trip to Yosemite, the remaining survivors were greeted in Yosemite Valley by a welcoming ceremony with military honor guard personnel and military chaplains at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls. The group was then provided a ranger-led interpretive tour of Yosemite Valley by a park ranger who is an Army veteran.
This was followed by a program which included presentations by several Yosemite park employees who are veterans of the Armed Services and Superintendent Don Neubacher. A private screening of Gathering of Spirit was then shown for the former Marines and their families.
Yosemite National Park currently employs approximately 100 veterans, representing all divisions within the park. These employees represent all military branches; together, they have served in all recent conflicts, ranging from the Korean War, the Cold War and Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan.
This special emphasis program is managed by U.S. Army veteran David Henderson. This is an active program and the park welcomes several delegations of veterans groups each year.
Submitted by Kari Cobb, Yosemite Public Affairs Officer
