Marine Memorial Bell arrives in P'cola

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Following its casting in Cincinnati, the memorial bell for the Marine Aviation Marine Memorial Bell Tower reached its new home in Pensacola Saturday.

For retired and active Marines - the corps is a way of life. The things they do every day for our country, aren't for the recognition.

But Saturday, they got it. The bell, honoring 100 years of Marine Aviation, was unveiled.

Pete Southerland was in Marine aviation from 1960 to 1964.

"A Marine is a Marine from boot camp to the grave. We take care of each other," said Southerland.

He said getting the bell in Pensacola was a work of passion.

"We've been raising funds for about three months now to bring this bell to Pensacola. Now we have something we can hold onto, something we can cherish," Southerland said.

The plan is to place the bell in top of a memorial tower, which is set to be built this summer at the Veteran's Memorial Park in downtown Pensacola.

Officials say it would only be the third National Marine Memorial.

"The soul of our nation is to honor the people that have given the ultimate sacrifice and the people that have walked to perimeter for our freedom. So this is all personal," said Ret. Col. Chris Holzworth.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Bobby Tagle said the bell is a reminder of the sacrifices of many.

"What it means to me is giving recognition to those Marines - not just those that have fallen but the veterans that have supported Marines in aviation in the air and on the ground," Tagle said.

Southerland said this was a dream come true.

"This means everything in the world to Marines everywhere. It means a lot to everyone who has served or has been in aviation. The grunts - we called them the grunts - they loved to hear the sound of those rotor blades coming to pick them up. So this is fantastic," said Southerland.