MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The present generation of Marine amtrackers, who utilize the Amphibious Assault Vehicles for today’s conflicts, rededicated the WWII and Korean War Museum, that houses several Landing Vehicle Tracked machines used during that era, to first generation amtrackers Sept. 4 at Camp Del Mar, Camp Pendleton.
During the ceremony, Lt. Col. John B. Atkinson, commanding officer, Assault Amphibian School Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and Clayton F. Nans, retired colonel, who originally dedicated the museum in 1996, signed the museum’s rededication.
“It’s my privilege and honor to be here with the Marines of Assault Amphibian Battalion and Marines responsible for renovating the museum and getting it where it is today,” said Atkinson.
In 2008, the museum was deemed structurally unfit by base engineers and was scheduled for demolition.
“Around this time last year, during the rainy season, the museum flooded, and we risked not just loosing the building, but all that’s in it,” said Atkinson.
With the help of the local community, AAS battalion stepped forward to support and preserve the museum.
More than 50 Marines, present at the rededication, raised their hands when Atkinson asked who helped with the museum.
Marines and civilians put in many hours re-welding the framing of the building, performing interior carpentry work, and resurfacing and recoating the exterior.
“I hope you understand that this is about Marines, not necessarily machines,” said Atkinson. “However, we are proud of (the machines) and we are thankful to Colonel Nans for making an effort to preserve them.”
When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness, said Atkinson, reciting a quote from Alexis de Tocqueville, a French political historian.
“We re-learn the lessons of the past and we honor our country and our Corps of Marines for the things they have done,” said Atkinson.
The museum features a memorial dedicated to the Marines of the past. A white tablet, donated by 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion is purposely placed off centered and crooked in front of the building to geographically face towards the island of Tarawa, where 80 percent of 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion were casualties during that bloody battle in 1943.
“Today is about the illustrious history of our Corps and about assuring that this past, born in battle, illuminates our future,” concluded Atkinson.