Today marks the 8th anniversary of the 6 April 2004 ambush in which 12 men of the "Magnificent Bastards" of 2-4 Marines were killed-in-action in the marketplace on the east side of Ramadi, Iraq. I never personally met any of these young men, all volunteer warriors who proudly served alongside their fellow Marines, but I know that I will never forget their names or what happened to them on that day.
As I have written previously, I had the honor of escorting Gold Star father John Wroblewski to the actual combat site in Ramadi on 6 Mar 2008. While at the site, John performed a memorial service for the fallen of 2-4, solemnly reading their names The names of the fallen read aloud by John Wroblewski are as follows: "LCpl Benjamin Carman, LCpl Marcus Cherry, PFC Christopher Cobb, LCpl Kyle Crowley, PFC Deryk Hallal, PFC Ryan Jerabek, PFC Moises Langhorst, LCpl Travis Layfield, HM3 Fernandez Mendez, LCpl Anthony Roberts, SSgt Allan Walker, and my hero, 2Lt John Thomas Wroblewski."
When John finished speaking the names of the fallen, he asked PSD Company and Major General John Kelly to give a loud "Oo-rah" in honor of these men. This raw, heartfelt cheer echoed throughout the alleyway and surrounding houses, bringing chills to my spine, before it faded into the palm groves surrounding us.
I have had the honor of speaking to 2 of the parents of the fallen Marines, but my words to them were inadequate to convey the heaviness that my heart felt at their loss. And while we can never replace the loss of these brave men, or the anguish of the families on their loss of a loved one, we can honor them by never forgetting those sacrifices.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Thank you
how did they get to visit the site in iraq anybodu use this website i woukd like information
2/4 echo company vet 3rd plt 3rd sqd one of couplke marines from the intecection of gypsum and nova
Zach Shores, I planned and executed the independent Marine embed for 14 months before returning to Iraq in February 2008 to visit the ambush site along Route Gypsum where 2Lt. J.T. "Ski" Wroblewski was mortally wounded. We performed the 2/4 Marines Echo Company memorial service on 6 Mar 2008. The next day, John Wroblewski and I conducted a foot patrol of the entire Route Gypsum, including the intersection of Gypsum and Nova where the ambush started on 6 Apr 2004. Email me at gregjanney@gmail.com for additional information. I would like to interview you and your fellow Marines for a book I am writing, "A Father's Journey to Iraq." The proceeds will be used to set up a scholarship fund for the survivors of the fallen men of your unit.
i just got this message to be honest didnt think anyone would return will give u an email here soon
Post a Comment