Battalion honors "no better friend" killed in action

Marine Link ^ | May 17, 2004 | Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

 
Battalion honors "no better friend" killed in action
Submitted by: 1st Marine Division
Story Identification #: 2004516103751
Story by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald



CAMP HURRICANE POINT, Iraq(May 15, 2004) -- Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage, gunner with 81 mm Mortar Platoon, Mobile Assault Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, couldn't wait to get home to meet his newborn son.

However, at the age of 21, he was struck down by an improvised explosive device May 12 during a routine patrol through the streets of Ramadi.

Marines from his unit gathered here May 15 to pay homage to the Livingston, Tenn., leatherneck during an afternoon memorial ceremony.

"On Wednesday afternoon, Lance Corporal Savage was doing the very thing we came here to do: help Iraq," said Capt. Robert S. Weiler, company commander. "We had just visited a water treatment plant so that the people there could get more than one hour of drinking water a day. Then we handed out Frisbees and soccer balls to the children and put smiles on their faces, which was something Savage loved to do."

Weiler said Savage, father of five, was the epitome of the 1st Marine Division's "no better friend, no worse enemy" motto.

"He showed the people he could be no better friend," said Weiler, of Woodbridge, Va. "He also showed he could be no worse enemy."

During five intense street fights April 6, 7 and 10, Savage proved his mettle. He helped his platoon quell violence between Marines from 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment and anti-Coalition fighters.

"He was a warrior and a humanitarian," Weiler explained. "And he was our brother. He is a Marine that wears the Eagle, Globe and Anchor proudly."

Savage's best friend, 22-year-old Lance Cpl. David R. Dahl, met him more than three years ago at boot camp.

"He was a brother to me," Dahl, from Ocala, Fla., said choking back the tears. "He cared about everybody. He had the biggest heart of anyone I know."

Dahl said Savage, an experienced mechanic, had several passions.
"He loved his family and kids more than anything," he said. "He also liked working on cars. He liked muscle cars a lot."

Savage was planning to return to Tennessee following his time in the Marine Corps. He wanted to pursue a career as a professional mechanic.

He is survived by his college sweetheart Cassandra and their five children: Jaydeen, Keyera, Madison, Eva and Eldin.

"I recently spoke to his wife, and she said their son Jaydeen took the news of his dad's death harshly," Dahl said. "But then he got up and went to school that day and told everyone that he was proud of his dad because he was a hero. That's how I want you all to remember him - as a hero."

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Photos included with story:

	Navy Cmdr. Bill D. Devine, 1st Marine Division Chaplain, pays his respects to Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage during a memorial service here May 15. Twenty-one-year-old Savage, a gunner with 81 mm Mortar Platoon, Mobile Assault Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, was killed by an improvised explosive device May 12 as he patrolled the streets of Ramadi. (USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald) Photo by: Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald
	Cpl. Hector L. Fernandez, mortarman with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, attends a ceremony to honor Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage, who was killed by an improvised explosive device May 12. A ceremony was held May 15 here to honor 21-year-old Savage. (USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald) Photo by: Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald
	Marines from 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment gather during a memorial service May 15 held for Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage. Savage, a father to five children from Livingston, Tenn., was killed by an improsived explosive device May 12. (USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald) Photo by: Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald
	Lt. Col. Paul J. Kennedy, commander of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, speaks during a memorial service here May 15 for Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage, who was killed by an improvised explosive device May 12. Savage was the father of five children and wanted to become a professional mechanic after his time in the Marine Corps. (USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald) Photo by: Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald
	Marines with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment stand at parade rest before honoring the memory of Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage with a 21-gun salute during a memorial service here May 15. Savage, from Livingston, Tenn., died May 12 after an improsived explosive device attack in the city of Ramadi. (USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald) Photo by: Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald
	A Marine rifle squad honors the memory of Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage with a 21-gun salute during a ceremony here May 15. Savage, with 81 mm Mortar Platoon, Mobile Assault Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, was killed by an improvised explosive device May 12 as he patrolled the streets of Ramadi. He left behind his wife and five children. (USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald) Photo by: Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald
	Lance Cpl. David R. Dahl, mortarman with 81 mm Mortar Platoon, Mobile Assault Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, says goodbye to his best friend Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage during a memorial service here May 15. Twenty-one-year-old Savage was killed by an improvised explosive device May 12 as he patrolled the streets of Ramadi. (USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald) Photo by: Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald
	1st Lt. David D. Dobb, platoon commander with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, pays his respects to Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage during a memorial service here May 15. Twenty-one-year-old Savage, with 81 mm Mortar Platoon, Mobile Assault Company, was killed by an improvised explosive device May 12 as he patrolled the streets of Ramadi. (USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald) Photo by: Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald
	Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage, with 81 mm Mortar Platoon, Mobile Assault Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, was killed by an improvised explosive device during a patrol in Ramadi May 12. The 21-year-old Livingston, Tenn., Marine left behind a wife and five children. (USMC photo by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald) Photo by: Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

          
~*Lance Corporal Jeremiah Savage*~

 

               

                        ~  ~

                "No Better Friend....

                  

              ....No Worse Enemy"

 

                       

 

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank God for this hero and his loved ones!

[UCANSEE2]

Each and every man and woman serving our military and dying for our country needs to be honored.

That the MEDIA in the US hides this information and chooses instead to publish faked porn photos to disgrace the only honorable President we have had in ten years shows they are on the side of the morally bankrupt.

These people will sell their soul to stay famous.


(any NEWSCASTER, Michael Moore, most Hollywired stars).

Most of them already have sold their souls and I pray for them. It's the only thing I can or will do for them.

[Alamo-Girl]

Praying for them is important! I continue to pray for Osama bin Laden - what a testimony it would be for him to become Christian, turning his back on all his past ways.

[St.Mark]

I weep for his family and I pray for his glory as a Marine. God Bless those wonderful young men and women fighting and winning for us in America!

[CWOJackson]

God Speed, Marine.

[FourPeas]

May he rest in peace.

[Soaring Feather]

Prayers for the family.

[Dubya]

SEMPER FI MARINE. I know that you are guarding those heavenly streets for Jesus now.

[I got the rope]

SEMPER FI MARINE. I know that you are guarding those heavenly streets for Jesus now.

Well said. Prayers for the family. His children have a hero for a daddy. Thank you Lance Corporal Savage for protecting my family.

[Dubya]

GOD BLESS YOU MARINE
DUTY DONE LIKE THE SUN GOING WEST.

[Dubya]

Our Heavenly Father,
We come to You in the name of Jesus, acknowledging You as our Refuge and High Tower. You are a
refuge and a strong hold in these times of trouble. Lance Cpl. Jeremiah E. Savage has left behind
here on earth his wife and five children, he gave his life to help others. I pray that You will bless his
loved ones always. I pray that You will sent Your mighty power of protection for them as Cpl. Savage
can't be here to help them himself. O Lord send Your healing power in a mighty way. We are calling upon You and pleading the blood of Jesus that You will bless his family always.
In Jesus' name we pray this
Amen

[The Mayor]

Welcome Home

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Amen.

Thank you for the beautiful prayer blessing this young family, Dubya.

[Dubya]

Your welcome.
And thank you for posting it, and your amen.

[Valin]

From your lips..to Gods ear.

Hey it could happen..why not. It's not like he'd be the first scumbag to see the light(And I speak from personal experience being something of a scumbag myself)

[Liberty Valance]

Thank you and God Bless You Lance Cpl. Savage. We will never forget.

[Alamo-Girl]

Indeed, it could happen - it would be like a tsunami to the terrorists. Thank you so much for agreeing with me in this prayer!

[MudPuppy]

Wow.
This kid was 21, married with FIVE kids.
Amazing..
I wonder if his hometown or any local organizations will be helping the Savage family.

Semper Fi!