1 00:00:01,580 --> 00:00:04,080 Today we commemorate the 102nd 2 00:00:04,090 --> 00:00:06,257 anniversary of the battle Belleau Wood 3 00:00:06,257 --> 00:00:08,479 and the regiment's participation in the 4 00:00:08,479 --> 00:00:10,368 historic campaign across northern 5 00:00:10,368 --> 00:00:12,590 France that culminated with the signing 6 00:00:12,590 --> 00:00:14,812 of the armistice that ended World War . 7 00:00:15,140 --> 00:00:17,140 Shortly after arriving in France in 8 00:00:17,140 --> 00:00:20,350 early 1918 the regiment , as part of 9 00:00:20,350 --> 00:00:22,520 the fourth Marine Brigade , forever 10 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:25,460 turned the tide of history by halting a 11 00:00:25,470 --> 00:00:27,940 rapidly advancing German offensive at 12 00:00:27,940 --> 00:00:30,680 Chateau Terry and inflicted a stunning 13 00:00:30,890 --> 00:00:33,510 and decisive defeat on German forces 14 00:00:33,610 --> 00:00:35,940 defending Belleau Wood . Throughout the 15 00:00:35,940 --> 00:00:39,260 summer of 1918 our regiment spearheaded 16 00:00:39,260 --> 00:00:41,371 the moves Argonne offensive , winning 17 00:00:41,371 --> 00:00:43,610 the historic battles of Swiss on state 18 00:00:43,610 --> 00:00:45,570 Mahele and want Mont Ridge 19 00:00:47,970 --> 00:00:49,970 fighting . Six Marines continued to 20 00:00:49,970 --> 00:00:51,970 wear the French for a shirt today , 21 00:00:51,970 --> 00:00:53,803 with Simmons pride and with deep 22 00:00:53,803 --> 00:00:56,026 providing respect for their criticism , 23 00:00:56,150 --> 00:00:58,200 who earns his either world on the 24 00:00:58,210 --> 00:01:00,990 uppermost respect off both allies and 25 00:01:00,990 --> 00:01:04,220 their enemies . The regiment's 26 00:01:04,220 --> 00:01:06,450 participation in this legendary 27 00:01:06,450 --> 00:01:09,440 campaign through that success in battle , 28 00:01:09,730 --> 00:01:11,952 it's not a function of how many show up 29 00:01:12,210 --> 00:01:15,110 but who they are . Duty , it has often 30 00:01:15,110 --> 00:01:17,332 been said , is the most sublime word in 31 00:01:17,332 --> 00:01:19,332 the English language . All of these 32 00:01:19,332 --> 00:01:21,166 fine men we remember tonight put 33 00:01:21,166 --> 00:01:23,221 country before complaint and service 34 00:01:23,221 --> 00:01:25,640 before self , not by the empty promise 35 00:01:25,640 --> 00:01:28,220 of hollow words , but rather by the 36 00:01:28,220 --> 00:01:30,387 stout hearted execution of their deeds 37 00:01:30,387 --> 00:01:33,220 and actions . There are simply no words 38 00:01:33,220 --> 00:01:35,442 to adequately describe the patriotism , 39 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:38,090 valor and fidelity of these great 40 00:01:38,090 --> 00:01:41,980 Americans for our tomorrow they gave 41 00:01:41,980 --> 00:01:42,650 their today .