'You all are a life insurance policy for a Marine': Navy Corpsmen statue unveiled in Jacksonville

A new memorial honoring Fleet Marine Force Navy Corpsmen was unveiled and dedicated Wednesday morning at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens ― a project 15 years in the making.

The statue, known as "Doc," depicts a wounded Marine being treated by a Corpsman who is also shielding him from incoming fire, according to a recent news release from the Corpsmen Memorial Foundation.

Renowned sculptor Abbe Godwin, created the statue and the dedication ceremony Wednesday, complete with the 2nd Marine Division Band Brass Quintet and military color guard, was a tribute to the lasting bond between Marine and Corpsman both on and off the battlefield, the release added.

"The artist, Abbe Godwin, has created a somber and intense composition, asking viewers to open their minds and hearts to the Corpsman and a Marine depicted into the ideals they represent," said Retired President of the Corpsmen Memorial Foundation and Master of Ceremonies Master Chief Matthew DesChamps. "Their courageous and noble act allows viewers an opportunity for appreciation and deep reflection."

Prior to this project, Godwin also created "The Peacekeeper" statue for The Beirut Memorial.

More:Montford Point Marines' final battle: Become an 'everyday story' before taking last breath

Follow us on Instagram:Jacksonville Daily News

DesChamps added the process to get here has been an emotional rollercoaster, but that with perseverance from the Corpsmen Memorial team, officers, board members and anyone else who contributed, they were able to make it happen.

"It has been a long journey of almost 15 years of raising funds and at one point, almost failure, but our team dug in," DesChamps said. "There's no quitting, no saying we could not do it. We pulled up our boots and made this dream a reality."

DesChamps said Corpsmen run towards the fight and have been for 124 years, putting the safety of their Marines before their own. He added there are many Marines and Sailors who would not be here today if it weren't for a Navy FMF Corpsman rendering care on the battlefield.

Brigadier GeneralAndrew Niebel was the first guest speaker at Wednesday's ceremony and said a Corpsman is a Marine's secret weapon. He said Marines love to talk about boldness and audacity, as well as bravery in the face of danger. But when a Marine really becomes a warrior, Niebel added, they know there is a Corpsman close by.

"You all are a life insurance policy for a Marine during a fight," Niebel said. "You allow us to take chances, to be bold, to be ferocious fighters when the rounds are flying. Guess what? When the rounds are flying, you all are right in the middle with them. You fight just as ferociously as a Marine does to protect your Marines and your patients."

More:Rematches, uncontested races and more! Here's what to know about the Onslow County elections

Niebel said he's seen many cases where a bond between a Marine and his Corpsman was so strong, it could not be split with an axe. Without this trust, he said, it doesn't work.

"That's the key ingredient and trust is only earned by action," Niebel said. "It's not something you want or really really hope for. It's something you earn and when you achieve that trust, you've got a powerful bond that has just created the most lethal war-fighting effect that you can have on the battlefield. That shared trust is so important and that's why Corpsmen live, eat, breathe and sleep in the trenches with Marines."

Retired Master Chief Terry Prince was the second guest speaker of the morning and said nothing commands more respect than the term "doc."

He said he loves when Marines introduce people as "their Corpsman" and not "a Corpsman," adding the long-awaited memorial is made possible by the legacy of people who came before them, honoring the most decorated group of Sailors to ever serve in this world.

"Men and women who sailed the high seas, deployed into dangerous or hostile places, or just took care of a family member stateside while their battle or shipmate was over there fighting the war," Prince said. "Any person who is even dreaming of a life of service, this place is for us. I challenge every single person here - Corpsmen especially - to rededicate their heart, mind and strength to the work before them and to do all within their power to be an example of all that's honorable and good throughout your Naval career and your life."

The final guest speaker who was followed by the ribbon cutting and unveiling of "Doc," was Major James Capers Jr. He said he is one of those guys that survived because a Corpsman said 'no, not today.'

For those interested in viewing the new memorial, it can be found at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens, located at 109 Montford Landing Road in Jacksonville. "Doc" is stationed behind the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

"This is a wonderful tribute to some brave men," Capers said. "I'm honored to be here. Whenever we think about the Corpsmen of the future, these are the kind of things that we should look towards - the heroism."

Reporter Morgan Starling can be reached at [email protected].