Camp Pendleton erects war memorial

On Thursday, April 11, families and dignitaries gathered at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside to dedicate a memorial to honor coalition troops killed in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province.

USMC Major General Charles Mark Gurganus with British Brigadier General Stuart Skeates shared in the presentation of the monument with name plaques of the over 80 American, British, Danish, Jordanian, Georgian, and Australian troops lost from 2012–13.

During the ceremony, as each name was read, a bell was tolled slowly and a Marine marched forward to place a dog tag at the memorial.

Located at the main side parade ground, the monument is the first of its kind on Camp Pendleton to honor both U.S. forces and America’s allied coalition troops.