thedrifter
01-05-06, 05:59 PM
Brothers move forward physically and in spirit
II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
Story by Cpl. Ruben D. Maestre
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Jan. 5, 2006) -- Life changed forever one month ago for two fraternal twin brothers serving in different units in Iraq when one suffered injuries from an improvised explosive device.
As one brother heals himself to a full recovery at a medical center back in the states, the other remains determined to carry out his service in Iraq.
Lance Corporals Jeremiah and Jeremy Pimental, 20, farm boys from Springfield, Ore., carry on a family tradition of military service going back to World War II. Both men joined the Marine Corps months after their high school graduation in 2004 driven by a sense of duty.
“If your going to live in a country that is free one should give back,” said Jeremiah. “We joined because we believed we have a good country and we should help keep it free.”
The same way thousands of American men and women committed themselves to military service in the years after Sept. 11, 2001, the brothers felt they had to do something in response to terrorism.
“We were motivated to do something,” said Jeremiah. “We weren’t going to stand by when we were willing, able, young and healthy.”
The brothers who did everything together, left for boot camp on the buddy program in July 2004. There, the new recruits trained to become Marines in the same platoon, sharing the same set of bunk beds.
Their story as twin brothers who did everything together was even featured on the official Marine Corps Web site, in October 2004. After graduating from boot camp, they later attended Marine Combat Training and the same military occupational specialty school together.
Deployed with different units for the first time to Iraq in September, the brothers assisted through their respective capabilities supporting Marine logistics. Despite being trained heavy equipment operators, they were sometimes tasked to do jobs outside of their occupation.
Jeremiah continues to help out as an armory custodian for small-arms at Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (FWD), based here and Jeremy, with a 2nd MLG (FWD) unit at Al Asad, Iraq, assisted in the construction of forward operating bases.
Then life in the combat zone for the two brothers took on a strong dose of the harsh realities of combat; Jeremy was severely wounded by a roadside bomb. He suffered a shattered jaw in four places and a shattered eye socket from the blast and faced internal reconstructive surgery.
“He took a hit for his platoon,” said his brother in a sullen but resolute tone about him. “I know he’s glad he’s been able to help.”
Jeremiah received the news days before their 20th birthday Dec. 5. Yet, despite the news, Jeremiah continues trudging on, committed to his brother, his family, their good times and the ideals that brought them both to the Marines.
“[Jeremiah] Pimental is a good guy, very devoted to his family” said Cpl. Andrew J. Baker, 21, of Felton, Pa., and armory chief with Headquarters Co., CLB-8, 2nd MLG (FWD). “He talks about working at his father’s woodshop and around the farm before he joined.”
With Jeremy recovering from the sacrifices he made by just doing his job, Jeremiah has become even more determined to help out where his brother left off.
“I have so much respect for the Marine Corps, its ideals, its professionalism,” said Jeremiah. “I’d say, ‘step up and see what we did, as people who helped make a difference, we would do it all over again.’”
Ellie
II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
Story by Cpl. Ruben D. Maestre
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Jan. 5, 2006) -- Life changed forever one month ago for two fraternal twin brothers serving in different units in Iraq when one suffered injuries from an improvised explosive device.
As one brother heals himself to a full recovery at a medical center back in the states, the other remains determined to carry out his service in Iraq.
Lance Corporals Jeremiah and Jeremy Pimental, 20, farm boys from Springfield, Ore., carry on a family tradition of military service going back to World War II. Both men joined the Marine Corps months after their high school graduation in 2004 driven by a sense of duty.
“If your going to live in a country that is free one should give back,” said Jeremiah. “We joined because we believed we have a good country and we should help keep it free.”
The same way thousands of American men and women committed themselves to military service in the years after Sept. 11, 2001, the brothers felt they had to do something in response to terrorism.
“We were motivated to do something,” said Jeremiah. “We weren’t going to stand by when we were willing, able, young and healthy.”
The brothers who did everything together, left for boot camp on the buddy program in July 2004. There, the new recruits trained to become Marines in the same platoon, sharing the same set of bunk beds.
Their story as twin brothers who did everything together was even featured on the official Marine Corps Web site, in October 2004. After graduating from boot camp, they later attended Marine Combat Training and the same military occupational specialty school together.
Deployed with different units for the first time to Iraq in September, the brothers assisted through their respective capabilities supporting Marine logistics. Despite being trained heavy equipment operators, they were sometimes tasked to do jobs outside of their occupation.
Jeremiah continues to help out as an armory custodian for small-arms at Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (FWD), based here and Jeremy, with a 2nd MLG (FWD) unit at Al Asad, Iraq, assisted in the construction of forward operating bases.
Then life in the combat zone for the two brothers took on a strong dose of the harsh realities of combat; Jeremy was severely wounded by a roadside bomb. He suffered a shattered jaw in four places and a shattered eye socket from the blast and faced internal reconstructive surgery.
“He took a hit for his platoon,” said his brother in a sullen but resolute tone about him. “I know he’s glad he’s been able to help.”
Jeremiah received the news days before their 20th birthday Dec. 5. Yet, despite the news, Jeremiah continues trudging on, committed to his brother, his family, their good times and the ideals that brought them both to the Marines.
“[Jeremiah] Pimental is a good guy, very devoted to his family” said Cpl. Andrew J. Baker, 21, of Felton, Pa., and armory chief with Headquarters Co., CLB-8, 2nd MLG (FWD). “He talks about working at his father’s woodshop and around the farm before he joined.”
With Jeremy recovering from the sacrifices he made by just doing his job, Jeremiah has become even more determined to help out where his brother left off.
“I have so much respect for the Marine Corps, its ideals, its professionalism,” said Jeremiah. “I’d say, ‘step up and see what we did, as people who helped make a difference, we would do it all over again.’”
Ellie