Marine never stopped serving

Magee, center, joined hundreds of others in silent prayer at the candlelight ceremony held when the Moving Wall came to Shelbyville in 2008.
(T-G File Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo]

When you look him up on the internet, you don't find much about who Edwin B. Magee was -- but you find out what he did -- and that was a lot.

Born in Philadelphia, he joined the Marine Corps in 1965 and served two terms in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge, he worked for more than 30 years for AT&T, with Army Security at the CDC in Atlanta, and then, after moving here with his wife, Donna, for Sanford.

He finally retired, but never stopped working for his community. Ed remained a Marine always, working to help the community of his fellow servicemen and veterans. With their assistance, he also helped the larger community around them.

"He was an awesome Marine," said Gene Williams. "We did a Veterans Day program at the senior center."

When Williams was working hard to bring the Moving Wall, the traveling Vietnam Memorial, to Shelbyville, Ed was there to help. As the Commandant of the BGen. Shofner Detachment 1128 of the Marine Corps League, Ed organized and led his fellow Marines in a wide array of community service, including: Operation Never Forget, a charitable organization that works to make sure the service men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice are not forgotten; Toys-For-Tots; 5 Loaves 4 Kids, a program in Tullahoma similar to the Backpack Program in Shelbyville that makes sure children get food over the weekend; Skills Development Center; Child Development Center; Fallen Marine Program; Honor Guard; and the Eagle Scout Program.

The Fallen Marine Program "is one way in which our detachment can ensure that all Marines in this area who have honorably served their country are granted the respect they deserve at the end of their time on this earth," according to the detachment's Web site and often involves the Color Guard.

Magee was honored for his work in the Marine Corps League, an organization of active and honorably discharged Marines who dedicate themselves to representing the Corps at ceremonies and other functions, as well as to helping Marines and their families and the community as a whole, promoting patriotism and service. In 2008, he was named the Department of Tennessee "John T. Hicks Marine of the Year."

No, you'll find more of what Ed Magee did than his biographical statistics when you look him up on the internet. But what he did defined who he was.

"He was a very influential member," said David Sliger, also a member of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1128. "He was extremely active and will be dearly missed."