Transcript
WEBVTT
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Warriors fall in.
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It's time for formation Folks.
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I just want to wish everyone out there a happy Veterans Day in 2024.
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For all the folks out there the brothers and sisters of mine who served in the military, I hope you enjoy this special day for you, for the military spouses out there and the dependents, or aka military brats.
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Hats off to you as well for living the lifestyle of being in the military, but make sure you pay special tribute to those who actually served in the military and those who are currently serving the military right now.
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So thank you, everyone out there, for your service.
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So today I thought I'd do a special brief overview of something that I took notice of just a few months ago.
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I was driving through East Los Angeles on the freeway there and near the East Los Angeles interchange.
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I looked up and I noticed a sign that read Eugene A Orbagon Memorial Interchange Medal of Honor recipient, and it made me wonder.
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You know who is that?
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It's located right there in one of the busiest freeway interchanges in the world here in Los Angeles, and the sign honors Eugene A Orbigan, who was a young Marine from Los Angeles who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Korean War, and today we're sharing his remarkable story and why his legacy lives on right here in the heart of Los Angeles.
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So, without further ado, let's talk about Eugene A Orbigan, a Medal of Honor recipient, who's honored here in the city of Los Angeles.
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Warriors fall in.
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Welcome to the Morning Formation.
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Eugene Orbigan was born in Los Angeles in 1930, and by the age of 17, he was committed to serving his country, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.
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Eugene trained hard, developing the skills and dedication that would one day define him as a hero.
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During the Korean War, eugene's bravery would come to light.
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On September 26, 1950, while engaged in intense combat near Seoul, eugene saw a fellow Marine wounded and at risk.
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Without hesitation, he ran to shield his comrade, using his own body to protect him from enemy fire.
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Eugene's actions saved a life, but ultimately cost him his own.
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For his act of heroism, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States.
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Eugene A Orbigan's legacy lives on through his Medal of Honor, a tribute to the courage, compassion and loyalty he embodied.
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His story has inspired countless others and his bravery is a profound example of selfless service.
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Here in Los Angeles, the Eugene A Orbigan Memorial Interchange was named in his honor, a fitting tribute in the heart of a city he called home.
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This interchange reminds who passed through it of the bravery that comes from those willing to put others before themselves.
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Now, beyond the interchange, eugene's name is also memorialized in Orbigan Park and is also memorialized at United States Navy ship PFC Eugene A Orbigan, which is a ship that bears and serves his name to remind the world of his legacy.
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Now, as we remember Eugene Orbigan, let us all be inspired by his story and reminded of the countless men and women who serve our country with courage and sacrifice.
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And may Eugene A Orbagon's legacy continue to live on in our hearts.
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Thank you for watching the Morning Formation podcast and for those of you out there, have a happy 2024 Memorial Day.
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Warriors fall out.
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Thank you.