'Strong and courageous'

The San Diego Union Tribune ^ | 7/5/04 | Rick Rogers

[bkwells]

'Strong and courageous'

Marines remember comrades, vow to uphold Iraq mission

By Rick Rogers
STAFF WRITER

July 5, 2004

NELVIN CEPEDA / Union-Tribune

For Camp Pendleton-based Marines in Fallujah, the Fourth of July was a day to pay tribute to two Marines who were killed last week while on separate patrols outside the restive Iraqi city.

FALLUJAH, Iraq ; While Americans celebrated 228 years of freedom yesterday, U.S. Marines here mourned its costs and considered their role in guiding the fledging democracy of Iraq to brighter days.

In an early-morning ceremony, Marines paid their respects to two comrades who died while serving with Camp Pendleton's 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.

Lance Cpl. Timothy R. Creager, 21, and Lance Cpl. James B. Huston, 22, died in separate incidents late last week while patrolling near the city of Fallujah. Since March, 12 Marines and one interpreter from the battalion have died.

The Marines said they accept the deaths as the price paid for freedom and for ensuring that Americans can enjoy the Fourth of July in relative safety.

"The more we are over here fighting them, the less likely they'll be bombing us at home," said Cpl. Joseph Lorek, who served with Creager in Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance. The unit is based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., but is attached to the battalion for this deployment.

NELVIN CEPEDA / Union-Tribune photos

Special dog tags were placed on the memorial to the Marines.

"Everyone back home is celebrating the Fourth," said Lorek, a 19-year-old from Mentor, Ohio, near Cleveland. "Our fireworks will be whatever we see when we are on patrol tonight."

The Marines saluted as they filed past a memorial for their comrades – two M-16s with fixed bayonets topped by helmets and goggles. Dog tags hung from the rifle grips. Printed on one of them was this Bible verse: "I will be strong and courageous. I will not be terrified or discouraged; for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go."

Several hundred Marines participated in the service.

Since late March, the battalion has battled insurgents in and around Fallujah.

In recent weeks, several Marines have been wounded – some of them seriously – by sniper and mortar fire while manning checkpoints with nicknames such as "the Alamo."

Battalion commander Lt. Col. Gregg Olson drew a parallel between the help the Marines are giving the new nation of Iraq and that which the United States received in its early days.

Olson compared the current efforts to those of Marquis de Lafayette, the Frenchman who fought with American forces during the Revolutionary War.

"The parallels between our efforts here and those efforts of the friends of our fledging nation who stood together and gave their time, treasure and talent in the service of American independence are too great to mention," he said.

By any standard, duty in Fallujah is hard on the Marines. Incredible heat beats them down, many Iraqis distrust them and insurgents try to kill them.

However, most Marines believe in their mission and that their sacrifices will make a difference in the Middle East and, ultimately, make the United States a safer place.

"People ask me if it's worth being out here, and it is," said Pfc. Andrew Manzi, 19, from Waterford, Conn. "We are out here so our family can enjoy the Fourth of July the way it should be. That's really the only thing that keeps me going."

---

Staff writer Rick Rogers and staff photographer Nelvin Cepeda are accompanying Camp Pendleton-based Marines in Iraq.

 »Next Story»

[maxwellp]

I, too, am in awe of these marvelous young people - our military. Sometimes I wonder where they come from - America must be doing something right. God Bless our military - they are the BEST of America.

[windchime]

Bump!

[GVnana]

It so struck me with the Afghanistan invasion. I thought the young people of this country were a lost cause. But look at them. Our new heroes. We're still making people like these. Does my heart good.

[cyclotic]

RE: your tagline...The other day at a wedding, I was speaking with the bride's neighbor, a Vietnam Vet. He had a picture framed by my Mother of a Purple Heart stamp. I asked if he was a recipient. He said Yes, but it wasn't much. I made a Kerry joke and thanked him.

I've had a number of opportunities to thank vets for their service, especially Vietnam. Those words are never wasted.

BTW. Thanks.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Your tagline is great!

Thank You

[SAMWolf]

Thanks bkwells, even if all those home don't "get it" it's good to know the military does.

[maxwellp]

I have also read on the Internet and heard on conservative talk radio that these young people, both in the military or not, are really beginning to take back America from the liberals. God Bless them!