Memorial Section
★ We honored the Marines who perished on Mount Rainier
August 30, 2025 @1200
Marines and their families from across Washington gathered in Enumclaw to remember the 32 Marines who lost their lives on Mount Rainier on December 10, 1946.
The moving ceremony honored their sacrifice and the heroic efforts of Colonel Bruce Meyers, who helped locate the wreckage months after the crash.
32 Marines Remembered
Marine Tennis de Jong placed 32 Marine Corps flags to honor each Marine who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Historical Stories
Belleau Wood Cemetery Visit
June 22, 2024 — Marine Tennis de Jong visited the Belleau Wood Cemetery in France to honor the Marines who fought and died during the fierce 1918 battle.
Knowing he would visit Belleau Wood, Tennis packed his Dress Blues to pay proper respect.
Woody Williams — A Life of Service
This documentary chronicles the extraordinary life of Hershel “Woody” Williams, America’s last living World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient.
Videos & Past Events
January 13, 2025 — Fallen Heroes Project
Michael G. Reagan talks about why he started the Fallen Heroes Project and his work creating portraits for the families of America’s fallen service members.
November 2, 2023 — Scholarship Recognition
Support Group Board Members attended a banquet at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake to honor scholarship recipients and thank supporters helping students receive financial assistance.
January 13, 2025 — VFW Veteran Support
During the Marine Corps Support Group of Washington luncheon, Craig discusses the many ways the VFW supports veterans and their families.
November 1, 2025 — 250th Marine Corps Birthday
On November 1st 2025 we kicked off celebrations to mark the 250th Birthday of the Marine Corps with our annual Birthday Luncheon. During the next two weeks our members attended five formal Balls sponsored by both active duty and Reserve units, as well as several other celebrations and commemorations scattered in nearly every corner of the State. It will be a year to remember and talk about for the next 50 years.
We Honor Our Heroes - Iron Mike Kavanaugh
Korean War Marine Veteran Honored by VA Puget Sound
Press Release — November 6, 2023
At 16 years old, Michael J. Kavanaugh joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1950. Weeks after assignment with the 12th Infantry Battalion at Treasure Island, he deployed with the 1st Marine Division and fought at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.
Where: VA Puget Sound, 1660 S. Columbian Way, Seattle, just inside the main entrance
When: November 7, 2022, at 1 p.m. — brief ceremony
Recognition: VA Puget Sound’s Wall of Heroes Honoree
In late November 1950, approximately 120,000 Chinese soldiers formed an offensive to destroy the approximately 30,000 United Nations Command forces around the Chosin Reservoir.
Kavanaugh and his fellow Marines, soldiers, and UNC forces made a successful fighting withdrawal across the frigid mountains to reach Hamhung and Hungnam, North Korea.
Kavanaugh fought in the Korean War for 13 months, resulting in 13 combat decorations. He and his wife, Lorayn, celebrated 72 years of marriage. Semper Fidelis, Iron Mike.
★ Korean War Marine Veteran VA Puget Sound’s 2023 Wall of Heroes Honoree
Sgt. “Iron Mike” Kavanaugh reported to Higher HQ on June 24th and we helped inter him at Tahoma on July 7th.
Two fireteams of Support Group Members and Fred Radke, our Bugler, were there to witness a fine sendoff by JBLM Marines and the Duty VFW Detachment.
His family was pleased and grateful for our presence. Semper Fidelis, Iron Mike!
★ We Honor Our Heroes - SGT. Pete Hale - Korean War Marine Veteran - Laid to Rest at Tahoma
Sergeant William D. “Pete” Hale, one of our Korean War Marines, an active Member to the end, reported to Higher HQ on January 7th, 2026.We helped his wonderful wife Barb, his large family, and many friends inter him at Tahoma National Cemetery on April 17th. Pete, who left a kidney on a hill in Korea, shared a long and productive life with our Support Group. We will always be “Here to Help” Barb and his family as we strive to be for all our Members and their families.
★ Hike to the Marine Memorial on Mount Rainier
On May 30, 2026 several members of the Support Group made the 8 mile round trip hike to Round Pass on Mount Rainier to pay respects and view the original memorial plaque to the 32 Marines who perished on the mountain in a tragic aircraft accident.
That accident occurred in 1946. The road to the original memorial washed out many years ago and a replica has been erected in the Veterans Memorial Park in Enumclaw, where a remembrance ceremony is conducted every year at the end of August.
