Tom Feeney: “I stand here tonight to honor a fallen hero from America's greatest generation. Leonard Ash was a Marine whose life…”

“I stand here tonight to honor a fallen hero from America's greatest generation. Leonard Ash was a Marine whose life richly illustrated President Ronald Reagan's observation. President Reagan said, ``Some people live their entire life and wonder if they ever made a difference in the world. Marines don't have that problem.'' Mr. Ash served in the 4th Marine Division and fought at Iwo Jima. Seventy-five percent of the 4th Marine Division were killed or wounded at Iwo Jima. Mr. Ash belonged to that 75 percent. His leg was nearly blown completely off. But some good emerged from that very dark battle. Iwo Jima's airfields provided a refuge for American bomber crews. As one of the Army Corps pilots observed, ``Whenever I land on this island, I thank God and the men who fought for it.'' While recuperating, Mr. Ash met Lt. Genoveve Durocher, a Navy nurse who eventually became his wife for 55 years and the mother of his four children. While often overlooked by history, Mrs. Ash and her fellow nurses proudly served our country. They healed and comforted the wounded, and they bravely stood by the side of servicemen who at times were on the threshold of eternity.”