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Time & Location
Aug 15, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Lytle Creek Firing Line, Lytle Creek Rd, Lytle Creek, CA 92358, USA
About the Event
Honoring USMC Vets -- From One To Another.
A word from Sergeant Paul Ehline's only son and fellow USMC vet, Lance Corporal Michael Ehline.
"There is nothing more important to the fabric of our nation than that of the service of our veterans. I know that personally. I was fortunate enough to serve alongside heroes in the United States Marine Corps. However, there is nothing I could have accomplished without my father, Sergeant Paul Ehline. He instilled in me the ethic of service above self and dedication. He brought that into the Corps-- and I did too.Losing a parent is hard enough. It is especially hard when that person is your idol. When your father taught you all that is worthwhile in the world. Taught you patriotism. Picked you up when you were down. Made sure that your head was screwed on correctly. I could go on, but I don't think I could convey even a percent of what my father meant to me in this-- or any article.Below Leatherneck's M/C will talk about my father's service-- both to the country and to my family. I want to honor his legacy in a way that will build up our fellow comrades in arms." Itinerary Of The First Ride (Subject to Changes):
Venue: Lytle Creek Firing Line Contact: Greg We have discussed the event and we are reserved for the 15th 0800. Additional information needs to be provided to firm up exact accommodations. http://www.lytlecreekrange.com/
07:00 Rally Point:
Shell Station:
Address: 3864 Sierra Ave, Fontana, CA 92336
07:30 KSU: (Kickstands Up)
11 Miles North on Sierra Ave to Range.
08:00:
Shooters Register.
Set Camp at assigned Range (everyone but shooters).
EZ-ups.
Tables, Chairs.
Coolers, Ice, Drinks.
09:00: Paul Ehline Memorial Service
Some Events: TBD But so far:
Words from Mad Dog President.
Words from Michael Ehline.
Words from Gunnery Sergeant Ryan Eskandary (MARSOC Ret.)
US Navy Chaplin Prayer and Benediction.
USMC Rifle Honor Guard Salute
Bagpipes, Bugler, Taps, Amazing Grace.
Rapid Fire 21 Gun Salute Downrange.
Presentation of Colors to Michael or His Mother (Leathernecks MC (LMCI)).
Presentation of USMC Colors to Michael (Leathernecks MC (LMCI)).
10:00: Open Range
Breakfast. Bacon, eggs, OJ, Coffee, assorted pastries.
Brotherhood.
1200: Dismissed
Other Information.
No shooter guests pay no fee to attend (Non-Leathernecks M/C must confirm with the range in advance on range fees)
Bagpiper services provided by Joel Daniel. Retired Gunny, 21 years Marine Band. (760-362-3996) marinesandpiper@yahoo.com
Currently, we have 25/27 shooters from Leathernecks M/C.
A Little More About Sergeant Paul Ehline.
Sergeant Paul Ehline, (USMC Ret.) might be the toughest man his son ever met. And Michael served with hundreds of them in and out of the Corps. It has been several months since Paul slipped the surly bonds of earth to his eternal service with his fellow comrades beyond in Valhalla. It was this difficult situation that led Michael Ehline back to the core principles in his life. Why Michael joined the Corps, why he got into law, and how Michael raised a family is all a direct result of Sergeant Paul Ehline and the Marines.
When a loved one dies-- especially after valiant service, you tend to suffer survivor's guilt. After all, Paul served our nation in a time of need and rose up during the Cold War. Why should such a hero perish while Michael is still in his debt? His country abandoned him and spat upon him when he returned from war. He suffered PTSD and died of cancer as a direct result of exposure to Agent Orange.
From Salesman To Vietnam Veteran.
Paul's legacy is one that Marines will always cherish. Moving to Southern California, where Paul's son grew up and now practices law, Paul became a model in his community. Able to sell newspaper subscriptions (or just about anything at all), he stood.
For example, Paul was the only guy in his high school with a 1963 candy-apple red convertible Corvette Stingray.
Of course, it had his favorite motor a Chevy 327. Paul paid cash for that car and often joked to Ford owners they should "put a Chevy in it." Paul Ehline was the youngest of four, a brawler and a rebel. His tenacity enabled him to excel at a number of skills, including art, mechanics, and fighting.
Despite enrolling in junior college, Paul was soon drafted into the U.S. Army. Upon reporting to the Army rally point, Paul protested. But Paul was not protesting like a commie, hippie traitor. No, Paul was angry he had been drafted but being drafted into the wrong branch.
Paul Ehline demanded to be transferred to the Marines because in his words: "Marines are the best."
His request was granted. So as a young man he was given the solemn responsibility of deploying to Vietnam as a hard-charging devil dog. He rose from private to sergeant as an 0848 quickly due to his natural intelligence and sense of duty.
What Units Did Sergeant Ehline Fight Alongside?
Paul Ehline was a Field Artillery Operations Chief (MOS 0848). But like most Marines in forward battle positions, the losses were so high, he filled secondary MOS billets and even those of officers. Sometimes he was utilized as a forward observer and rifleman outside the wire. He fought alongside Force Recon Marines and Montingards as a forward observer and passed out Bibles to the Mong. He did so while calling in airstrikes against Vietcong Positions. He was a badass!
According to his DD-214 Sergeant Ehline served in the following units:
3d Marines.
G Battery 3d Btn.
13th MarDiv FMF.
5th Mardiv FMF.
What Bases and Positions Did Sergeant Ehline Fight From?
Camp J.J. Carroll
DMZ.
Da Nang.
Gio Linh.
Rock Pile.
Con Thien.
Camlo and others.
He exemplified what the Marine Corps is all about. Most of all, his comrades and son will never stop admiring that about him. He served our nation in Vietnam for two years, volunteering to return for a second combat tour so he could get his men home to their mothers. He completed his task to the fullest, even under enemy fire and facing Agent Orange.
However, due to less understanding of mental health issues, Paul developed PTSD, as well as the precursors for cancer that later caused his passing from this earth due to Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. (Learn more about Paul Ehline here).
Life Lessons Learned About Paul Ehline.
His unique life circumstances and time in Vietnam led to a challenging life tempered by the joys and dedication of his life he gave each day. Despite the experience of war, bankruptcies, divorces, pain, depression, and more Paul was the man his son wanted to be.
The one thing Michael wishes he could take back-- for his sake and those around him was watching Paul suffer in his last years. The last six years saw cancer consistently reduce his standard of living and care. Even the treatments led to severe side effects and pain. However, Paul never abandoned his faith in Christ or the Corps. Continuing in the faith of Christianity, he was the most generous man Michael ever knew. He supported multiple organizations and the needy, even despite his own challenges.
As much as Paul Ehline loved this nation and the Marine Corps, he loved his son even more. He was close with his siblings, his in-laws, and his nephews and nieces. This earth will always cherish its time with him. Michael reached out to the Marine Corps Association and his friends at the Leatherneck's Motorcycle Club, Mad Dog Chapter, asking for a memorial fitting of such a dedicated Marine. And he got just that!
The Paul Ehline Annual Ride Against Service-Related Cancer and PTSD.
To honor Sergeant Ehline is no easy task. Nor should it be. The dedication and perseverance he showed in life is something that all Marines aspire to. And that is Leathernecks are working with community leaders and veterans of the Corps on an annual ride in his honor.
Event Sponsors:
Ehline Law Firm Personal Injury Attorneys, APLC.