Memoriam

[Vulture6]

This thread is to remember the fallen... and the cost.

[Vulture6]

Marines mourn fallen leatherneck
Submitted by: 1st Marine Division
Story Identification #: 2004818372
Story by Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes



MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq (Aug. 17, 2004) -- The morning sun was beginning to heat the concrete here Aug. 17 when the Marines of Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, gathered for something they hope they never would have to do - mourn one of their friends.

Lance Cpl. Nicholas B. Morrison, a TOW gunner with the battalion, was on the streets with Combined Anti-Armor Team Blue when the shrapnel from a roadside bomb ended his life Aug. 13. The Newville, Pa. native was 23 years old.

"Morrison had a contagious love of life," said Capt. George Nunez, of Miami, Fla., and Morrison's commanding officer. "During firefights he'd help Marines next to him having trouble. He'd flash a smile or say something to comfort them."

Morrison and his brothers in CAAT Blue had been through numerous roadside bombs and firefights together. August 13 proved to be something none of them expected.

"We thought it was going to be a normal mission. It turned out to be anything but," said Lance Cpl. Brian W. Lynch, Morrison's vehicle commander, of Hamilton, Ala. "I remember (Morrison) asked me once to speak at his funeral. I told him he was crazy."

Lynch spoke of all the things he wished he could have told Morrison before he died; all the things that now must go unsaid to his friend.

"If I could tell him something right now, it would be that he was a good friend and I love him," Lynch said.

One of Morrison's friends spoke of how he believed the young leatherneck's life was more important than his death.

"Some of the greatest people live the shortest lives and I think he was one of them," said Lance Cpl. Terrance G. Kilpatrick, a TOW gunner from Cleveland, Ohio. "It's not how he died, but how he lived that he'd want us to talk about. We should remember him and celebrate his life."

After the ceremony, many Marines gazed at the upturned rifle and bayonet stuck into sandbags with the ceremonial helmet and dog tags placed on it. Some embraced and consoled each other, remembering the passing of their comrade and friend. When the nature of their jobs requires them to lose one of their friends and go back to work a minute later, the ceremony offered them the rare opportunity to come together and remember how one of their friends died - and more importantly - lived.

Morrison is survived by his mother and father.





Marines from Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, grieve for their fallen comrade during a memorial service in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, Aug. 17. Lance Cpl. Nicholas B. Morrison was 23 years old when shrapnel from a roadside bomb took his life Aug. 13. (USMC Photo by Cpl. Shawn C. Rhodes)

[Vulture6]

A Marine's Marine: Brothers-in-arms, family, friends say goodbye
Submitted by: MCAGCC
Story Identification #: 2004823231959
Story by Sgt. Jennie Haskamp


MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 12, 2004) -- Torrents of rain came just minutes after the graveside services were completed here, Aug 12.

"God just opened heaven for him," said one mourner, staring up into the dark clouds shrouding the cemetery. "Now he's home."

Hundreds of mourners attended the Florida funeral and burial services of Gunnery Sgt. Elia P. Fontecchio, Kilo Company gunnery sergeant, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines.

Fontecchio, a Milford, Mass., native was killed on patrol in Iraq's Al Anbar Province Aug. 4. Along with his wife, Kinney, and his 2-and-a-half-year-old son, Elia, Fontecchio, is survived by his parents, Dennis and Cindy of Satellite Beach, Fla., as well as three sisters and their families.

At the Aug. 11 wake, friends and family waited in line for nearly an hour to pay their respects to the man who'd touched their lives in so many ways.

Amidst the tears and whispers were quiet bouts of laughter as friends and family from Massachusetts, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, New Mexico, California and other spots across the nation shared stories about Fontecchio.

Marines who'd served with Fontecchio during his 12-year career came to pay their respects and share their stories of the man they loved as well.

"This is not OK," said longtime friend Greg Hoesing, looking at the flag-draped casket sitting in front of the church. "Elia is my friend. He was a great husband, amazing father and an outstanding Marine, and this is not OK."

Hoesing, who served alongside Fontecchio in 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, shared stories of Fontecchio's enormous love for his wife and young son as well as his family, his friends and his Marines.

He laughed through his tears, talking about his friend's tendency to play practical jokes, and implored everyone listening to ensure they appreciate why his friend died.

"He died for your freedom and for mine," said the former Marine and bodybuilder, gripping the podium, fighting tears. "Don't let his death be in vain."

Unable to attend the services were the Marines and Sailors of 3/7 still patrolling the border Iraq shares with Syria.

They were represented in a eulogy given by Capt. Buster O'Brien, Marine Corps Warfighting Lab, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., who served with Fontecchio in Weapons Company, 3/7, during Operation Iraqi Freedom 1.

"I'm speaking here today on behalf of Gunny's brothers in 3/7," started O'Brien, fighting back tears. "I can tell you that though there are many of them here today, the vast majority could not be here-for they are paying their respect to their beloved Gunny by going back out on patrol and doing their job the way he taught them to-with courage, competence, discipline and, when necessary, a smile."

O'Brien, like those who spoke before him at Saint Sebastian's by the Sea in Melbourne Beach, shared stories depicting "Gunny"' as an incredible mentor, teacher, father, husband, friend and Marine.

The thing that made O'Brien's speech stand out were the words, penned by Fontecchio himself, weeks before his death and given to his friend and fellow Marine in Iraq, Capt. Jeremy Graczyk.

"I loved every one of you," Fontecchio wrote in a letter to be read in the event of his death. "You will forever be my brothers in arms."

Before he finished, and fighting for composure, O'Brien addressed young Elia, sitting in the pew next to his mother.

"Elia first of all, we'll have time later on to talk about your Daddy, and we will," he said, tears flowing again. "But today please know that your Daddy was truly a courageous warrior. We were overseas in combat, and at least once a day he took out pictures of you and said, 'Come on, you gotta admit it, is he the cutest kid you've ever seen?' He was so proud of you. You were literally the pride of his existence. He will always be with you. And whenever you need anything, just call on one of Gunny's brothers-in-arms."



MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla.-A member of the Orlando, Fla., Inspector Instructor Staff reads the citation for Gunnery Sgt. Elia P. Fontecchio's Purple Heart while another stands by, ensuring the flag isn't blown from his casket before the honor guard folds it for his widow. Mourners from across the nation attended the funeral and burial services here the day before Hurricane Charley made landfall. Photo by: Sgt. Jennie Haskamp

[Vulture6]

Marines pay last respects to fallen comrades in Ramadi
Submitted by: 1st Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200482365223
Story by Cpl. Veronika R. Tuskowski


CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq (Aug. 23, 2004) -- As the sun set Friday, casting a golden light upon a rifle with two sets of dangling dog tags, Marines with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, gathered to Camp Snake Pit to say goodbye to two of their fallen brothers.

Lance Corporals Jonathon W. Collins and Caleb J. Powers were each killed by a single shot from an enemy sniper while manning different observation posts in Ar Ramadi.

"Tonight we gather in memoriam for tribute to two fallen comrades, who were struck by unseen assassins," said Lt. Col. Paul Kennedy, battalion commander. "We have come to honor these fellow Marines who answered the country's call to duty, and represented the best of our Corps."

Twenty-year-old Collins, from Oak Lawn, Ill., was killed Aug. 8 at Observation Post "Ghetto" in the heart of Ar Ramadi. Powers, 21, from Alexandra, Va., was killed Aug. 17 while manning an observation post atop a seven-story building overlooking one of Ar Ramadi's main roadways.

Collins was described as a good Marine and good man by his platoon commander, 1st Lt. Ethan C. Taranta.

"He had confidence in his abilities that bordered on cockiness," Taranta said. "But he was justified in that confidence. He was a SAW gunner and considered himself to be the best in his platoon, if not the whole company. He was very, very good at his job."

What Taranta remembers most about Collins, was his sense of humor.

"He always had a joke or a smile no matter how tired he was, or how difficult the task was,' Taranta said. "I don't think I ever talked to him, with out walking away with a smile on my face."

With a little over a month left in Iraq before returning to the states, Collins compared his experience in Iraq with the game of football.

"A couple of days before he was killed, Collins said, 'In the game, the teams score most of their points in the first two minutes and the last two minutes. And right now we are in the last two minutes. Even though we are down a handful of Marines we still need to go out there and do our job and make it out of here safe and alive,'" said his close friend, Lance Cpl. Clark H. Davidson.

After several Marines shared their feelings about Collins, Powers' platoon commander, 1st Lt. Joseph M. Denman, stepped up to the podium and shared his thoughts.

"Words fall short of describing or consoling us in the loss we have experienced in the death of Lance Corporal Powers," said Denman. "And to Third Platoon, he was more than a friend. He was our brother in arms. For he lived, sacrificed and fought at our side taking equal share in the dangers and hardships in the past six months."

Friends of Powers knew of his love for his friends, family, farming and dirt bikes.

"If you knew Lance Corporal Powers, you knew he was all about wheat and farming," said his close friend, Lance Cpl. Taylor G. Wiley. "You could make fun of him about it all the time and he would take it like a champ.

"Right before he died, Lance Corporal Powers' last words were, 'Dirt bike riding is my life,'" said Wiley. "So we all like to think at that moment when Powers went, he was happy."

Collins is survived by his parents, Jack and Angela Collins, his two sisters and an older brother.

Powers is survived by his wife, Sarah Powers, and his sister.

The battalion commander said each of these Marines would be greatly missed, and gave some words of encouragement to the mourning Marines.

"Lance Corporals Collins and Powers are watching over us now," Kennedy said. "They will measure our devotion in the remaining month against their own sacrifices. We will not let them down."


A Marine pays respects to two lance corporals who were killed recently in Ar Ramadi. The memorial service for Lance Corporals Jonathan Collins and Caleb Powers was held at Camp Snake Pit, Aug. 20. (USMC photo by Cpl. Veronika R. Tuskowski)

Staff Sgt. Jason C. Petrakos with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, salutes an upturned rifle during a memorial service held at Camp Snake Pit in Ar Ramadi, Aug. 20. Lance Corporals Jonathan Collins and Caleb Powers were killed recently by terrorist snipers while manning two different observation posts. (USMC photo by Cpl. Veronika R. Tuskowski)

[Field_Sailor]

I stand tall and salute your sacrifice.

John 15:13

There is no greater Love than this, that a Man lay down His life for His Friends!

[USMCRET6391]

The fear of death is a pretense to wisdom
And not being real wisdom it is the pretense to know the unknowing
For who is to say, that death which we fear to be the greatest evil
Might not in fact, be the greatest good?

[Field_Sailor]

The Human Toll



Names of U.S. service members who died while supporting combat operations confirmed by the Defense Department Aug. 20-26:

Marine Lance Cpl. Alexander S. Arredondo, 20, Aug. 25, Najaf, Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Donald N. Davis, 42, Aug. 24, Fallujah, Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jacob R. Lugo, 21, Aug. 24, Husaybah, Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Robert C. Thornton Jr., 35, Aug. 23, Baghdad.

Marine Cpl. Christopher Belchik, 30, Aug. 22, Babil Province, Iraq.

Army 2nd Lt. Matthew R. Stovall, 25, Aug. 22, Mosul, Iraq.

Marine Cpl. Nicanor Alvarez, 22, Aug. 21, Anbar, Iraq.

Marine Sgt. Jason Cook, 25, Aug. 21, Anbar, Iraq.

Army Pfc. Kevin A. Cuming, 22, Aug. 21, Baghdad.

Marine Lance Cpl. Seth Huston, 19, Aug. 21, Anbar, Iraq.

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Edward T. Reeder, 32, Aug. 21, Anbar, Iraq.

Marine Pfc. Nachez Washalanta, 21, Aug. 21, Anbar, Iraq.

Army Pfc. Ryan A. Martin, 22, Aug. 20, Samarra, Iraq.

Army 1st Lt. Charles L. Wilkins III, 38, Aug. 20, Samarra, Iraq.

Marine Cpl. Brad P. McCormick, 23, Aug. 19, Anbar, Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Dustin R. Fitzgerald, 22, Aug. 18, Anbar, Iraq.

Marine Sgt. Richard M. Lord, 24, Aug. 18, Anbar, Iraq.

Army Spc. Jacob D. Martir, 21, Aug. 18, Sadr City, Iraq.

Marine Sgt. Harvey E. Parkerson III, 27, Aug. 18, Anbar, Iraq.

Army Pfc. Henry C. Risner, 26, Aug. 18, Baghdad.Marine Lance Cpl. Caleb J. Powers, 21, Aug. 17, Ramadi, Iraq.


U.S. service members reported captured while supporting combat operations confirmed by the Defense Department:

Army Spc. Keith M. Maupin, 20, April 9, Iraq.


Operation Iraqi Freedom casualty totals as reported by the Defense Department:

March 19, 2003-Aug. 26, 2004

Killed: 966

Wounded in action: 6,690


Aug. 20-26

Killed: 19

Wounded in action: 193


Operation Enduring Freedom casualty totals as reported by the Defense Department:


Oct. 10, 2001-Aug. 26, 2004

Killed: 135

Wounded in action: 360


Aug. 20-26

Killed: 0

Wounded in action: 4


Editor’s note: In any given week, figures for service members killed usually do not match the number of names confirmed as combat deaths. This mainly is because a lag of several days or more may occur between a death and identification of the deceased to allow for notification of next of kin and other factors. Also, the two sets of figures reflect different reporting time frames; the casualty statistics are reported daily as of 10 a.m. Washington time, while names of the deceased continue to be reported throughout the day.

May God keep you all, brothers.

[Vulture6]

Truck Company Marine given last respects
Submitted by: 1st Marine Division
Story Identification #: 200491541817
Story by Lance Cpl. Graham Paulsgrove


During a memorial ceremony at Camp Blue Diamond Sept. 9, Lance Cpl. Derek L. Gardner, motor transport operator, Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion was honored and remembered. Marines came forward to pay their respects and were often struck by the loss of their fallen brother. A vehicle-born improvised explosive device hit Gardner during a recent convoy. (Official USMC photo by SSgt. Nathaniel Garcia)


CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq (Sept. 9, 2004) -- The mood was somber and little noise was made as the Marines gathered to pay their last respects.

Marines and Sailors entered the chapel here Sept. 9 to mourn the loss of their fallen brother in arms, Lance Cpl. Derek L. Gardner, motor transport operator, Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

During a supply convoy on Sept. 6, a sedan swerved underneath Gardner's 7-ton truck detonating simultaneously. The severity of the blast killed Gardner.

When Gardner, an Orange County, Calif., native, turned 18 he followed in his father's footsteps and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He turned 20 Aug. 9.

"Lance Cpl. Gardner went to a foreign land to bring freedom, to its people and to protect our great nation," said Capt. Terence M. Connelly, commanding officer, Truck Company. "In order to defend and serve his country, he left his loved ones."

Gardner's passion extended beyond his country, he was known as a hard worker and one who cared greatly about those to his left and right.

"Despite his short time in the Corps, he was a Marine fellow Marines went to for help. He led quietly yet noticeably," said Connelly. "Even before he went on his first deployment, he had earned the reputation as a hard worker who was eager to take on the difficult jobs."

For Gardner's hard work, he had been nominated for a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for professional achievement during combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

"He laid down his life for his nation and each one of us," said Connelly. "We honor him by performing our duties in the same manner he did, with selflessness and determination."

Gardner's commanding officer reflected on a day where Gardner stood out amongst his comrades.

"He fit my picture of the typical tough young Marine," said Connelly. "He was dirty, he was tired and he was pissed off. But I could tell he loved his buddies, he loved being a truck driver and he loved being a Marine."

Gardner made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and his service will not be forgotten.

"Lance Cpl. Gardner as you knew him, Derek as I knew him, was a great friend and he was also a great Marine, and he will be missed, but not only by me but his family and friends as well," said Pfc. M. D. Hawkins, a friend of Gardner. "My heart goes out to his family for this will be a very hard time for them. I ask that you keep his family in your prayers. Pray for them all. Semper Fi Derek, we'll be missing you."

[Grimmy]

Nothing good comes free of cost. Unfortunatly, the greater the good that is strived for the greater the cost required.

[Field_Sailor]

RIP-September

Army Spc. Joseph C. Thibodeaux, 24, of Lafayette, La.; assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry

September 03, 2004
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Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas Wilt, 23, of Tampa, Fla.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; killed Sept. 3 by enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq.


Marine 1st Lt Ronald Winchester, 25, of Rockville Center, N.Y.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; killed Sept 3 by enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq.


Marine Capt. Alan Rowe, 35, of Hagerman, Idaho; assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; killed Sept. 3 by enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq.


Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas Perez, 19, of Austin, Texas; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif.; killed Sept. 3 by enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq.

September 04, 2004
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Navy Steelworker 3rd Class (SW3) Eric L. Knott, 21, of Grand Island, Neb.; assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, Port Hueneme, Calif.; killed Sept. 4 when the area in which he was working was struck by enemy fire and he was struck by shrapnel in Fallujah, Iraq.

September 05, 2004
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Army Pfc. Ryan M. McCauley, 20, of Lewisville, Texas; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; killed Sept. 5 when his patrol came under attack by small-arms fire in Baghdad.


Army Sgt. Shawna M. Morrison, 26, of Champaign, Ill.; assigned to the 1544th Transportation Company, Illinois Army National Guard, Paris, Ill.; killed Sept. 5 during a mortar attack in Baghdad.


Army Spc. Charles R. Lamb, 23, of Casey, Ill.; assigned to the 1544th Transportation Company, Illinois Army National Guard, Paris, Ill.; killed Sept. 5 during a mortar attack in Baghdad.


Army Staff Sgt. Gary A. Vaillant, 41, of Trujillo, Puerto Rico; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 72nd Armor, Camp Casey, Korea; killed Sept. 5 when his tank ran over an improvised explosive device in Khalidiya, Iraq.

September 06, 2004
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Army Staff Sgt. Elvis Bourdon, 36, of Youngstown, Ohio; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas ; killed Sept. 6 when his military vehicle came under attack by small-arms fire and