Posted on 09/27/2006 7:14:36 AM PDT by WestTexasWend
Small American flags line each side of the road on Racine Cove in Round Rock. The flags trail up a driveway to a two-story brick house. Inside, worn-out brown baby boots sit on a chair next to photos of the brown-haired young man who used to wear them.
The young man's family gathered the mementos Tuesday night in front of the home where he had grown up and held a news conference to let people know about their son, a soldier who was killed Sept. 20 in Iraq.
Chris Zimmerman, 28, was serving as a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps when he was killed.
Mike Zimmerman and his ex-wife, Faith, said they have been getting calls since Chris was killed, and they wanted to let people know what kind of man their son was.
"He always had a sense of purpose and he was always looking out for the underdog," Faith Zimmerman said, including protecting his sisters.
The family said he joined the Marines in 1997, a year after he graduated from McNeil High School. While at McNeil, Chris' love for sports led him to play baseball and later football. The Zimmermans said they are setting up a fund in Chris' honor to help support underprivileged kids who want to play sports.
Chris's father, who served in the Air Force, said when his son told him of his decision to join, all he asked of Chris was, "Why the Marines? He said, 'Because they're the best.' "
The family still doesn't know exactly how their son died, though the U.S. Department of Defense reported that he died from gunfire while performing combat operations against enemy forces in the Anbar province in Iraq. His hometown was listed as Stephenville when his death was announced last week.
Chris served a five-year stint in the Marines and was the flight chief of Huey helicopters at Camp Pendleton in California, his mother said. He left the Marines briefly and joined the Marine Reserves. But then, his mother said, he rejoined full time.
"Chris was just that way. He wanted to make a difference," Faith said.
Faith said she last spoke to Chris for 20 minutes two days before he died. She said he was upbeat and looking forward to coming home.
The Zimmermans said a service for Chris is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the United Heritage Center at the Dell Diamond. Chris will be buried at the State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. The Zimmermans ask that people attending wear red, white and blue.
I read about this in the local Stephenville Empire Tribune. Such wonderful family, and such a wonderful son.
As a mother, my heart breaks for every one we lose. God bless this family and comfort them. Their son did make a difference in this world, he is one of our heroes.
Thank you, Chris.
Prayers for this wonderful family.
God bless this family.
"Chris's father, who served in the Air Force, said when his son told him of his decision to join, all he asked of Chris was, "Why the Marines? He said, 'Because they're the best.' "
My son and I had almost the exact same conversation four and a half years ago...eerie.
I am more fortunate, my son came home from his stint in the Corps last week. Prayers for this and all service families.
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