In Memoriam


In Memory of the Members and Loved Ones

Of

THE BLACK MARINE REUNION


We Present Those Who Have


SERVED – ENDURED – PERSERVERED




We Salute Our Co-Founder


Master Sergeant Floyd D. Rouse

1938-2002


Floyd D. Rouse was born on St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands, on September 23, 1938 and his parents, Freddie and Dorothy, along with sisters Cheryl and Dawn, moved to New York City in 1939.  He attended parochial elementary schools and Chelsea High School in New York City.

From early childhood Floyd was drawn to aviation and became an active member of the Civil Air Patrol at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn.  Floyd was urged by his father to join the U.S. Marine Corps and he served honorably and proudly around the world from October 1957 through November of 1978.  His service included three combat tours in Vietnam.  Floyd’s love and honor for the Marine Corps never left him.  Floyd was a member of the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation and served as one of its Aviation Historians.


After Floyd’s transfer to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserves, he worked eight years for The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  His distinguished service to the Space Shuttle Program earned him the Silver Snoopy Award for Quality and Excellence., which was proudly presented to him by Astronaut John Blaha in March of 1983.


Floyd had the opportunity to meet many people over the course of both of his careers and all who met him quickly came to admire, respect and love him.  He also loved counseling young people and guided many to join his beloved Marine Corps.


Throughout his life Floyd enjoyed cooking for, and surrounding himself with friends and family. No special occasion was necessary!  He was well versed in Caribbean and Southern Cuisine and loved to experiment with various flavors and spices. He experienced untold pleasures when he watched his friends savor the results of a new creative twist on an old dish.


 With Floyd's departure we lost a good friend, an outstanding Marine and America lost a great patriot!  Today he would say to us all -  "Semper Fidelis, Always faithful!”

 

IN MEMORIAM


 In 2005 we held our inaugural Black Marine Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada and we began to archive a list of the Black Marines who have passed away, as well as the loved ones and family members of our brothers and sisters in arms. The first listing included those we served with prior to our founding of  "The Black Marine Reunion".   We continue to hold reunions bi-annually (every other year) around the country.


We consider the holding of our Reunions and the recognition of those who served, as our way of keeping the ‘The Promise’ that led to the formation of this organization: 



We will meet and gather at appropriate regular times to celebrate our legacy and our Service, Endurance and Perseverance as Black Marines.


During the Banquet Night at our Reunions, we take time to honor those who have fallen, to recognize their service and their passing.  In addition we make note of our loss in our Monthly Newsletter.  In order to keep their service and contributions from fading, we have now dedicated this page on our website to their memory.


Click on the links below to view the information we have available for the different periods.  If you have additional information about the years served, highest rank held, date of retirement or date of passing, for a friend or a loved one, please send it to us and we will update our listing. 
( Use the Contact Us form on the website )