thedrifter
02-02-06, 06:44 AM
Company E remembers loss of fellow Marine
2nd Marine Division
Story by Pfc. Christopher J. Ohmen
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Feb. 2, 2006) -- He had many good qualities that he shared with his fellow Marines, one of the most important was he loved leading the Marines in his squad.
Second Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 8, said goodbye to five excellent Marines who were lost in the line of duty, Oct. 21 and 29. One of them, Sgt. Michael P. Hodshire, a 25-year-old North Adams, Mi., native, helped his Marines with whatever problems they faced.
Upon learning of Hodshire’s passing the Marines of Company E were left speechless. Despite the tragic loss of a good Marine, all that knew him agree that he has moved on to a better place.
The Marines from the company gathered in the battalion’s motor transportation building along with friends and guests from other units aboard Camp Fallujah.
At one end of the building, emblems were put in place in memory of Hodshire. As the Marines’ Hymn played, an M16-A4 service rifle with bayonet was inserted by one Marine into a small pile of sand bags. A second Marine placed a Kevlar helmet on the butt stock of the down-turned rifle and hung a set of dog tags from the pistol grip. The last emblem to be put in place was a pair of boots at the base of the sandbags.
Following the invocation by Navy Lt. Teddy L. Williams, the battalion chaplain, Lt. Col. James J. Minick, the battalion’s commanding officer, continued with comments about Hodshire.
“We honor these men who answered their county’s call and selflessly gave their lives so others may live in peace,” said Minick. “Thomas Paine said in 1776: These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
“Honor, courage, commitment, loyalty, selfless service. Marines and sailors of Company E and Task Force 2/2, these are the words I hear from you,” stated Capt. Timothy S. Brady, Hodshire’s company commander. “Listening to you speak of your brothers in arms, I know of their character and of their heart.”
As the words of Brady lingered with the Marines, Sgt. Sean H. Miles, Hodshire’s friend and fellow member of the company, stepped up to the podium to say goodbye to his comrade in arms.
“When a Marine was in trouble he would go out of his way to help out that Marine and take care of him without a second thought,” Miles stated. “Sergeant Hodshire will be watching over the Marines of 3rd Platoon, Company E and the Marines of 2/2. He was lost but will never be forgotten.”
Following Miles’ kind words, the Company E first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Dalton V. Pinnock, called role with three Marines answering ‘Present!’ Then he called Hodshire’s name.
“Sergeant Hodshire…Sgt. Hodshire…Sgt. Michael P. Hodshire!”
There was no reply.
“Present Arms!” commanded Brady to the company.
The rest of the Marines and sailors saluted, as “Taps” was played to honor their fallen comrades.
“Dismissed!” commanded Brady.
The Marines quickly formed a line to say personal farewells to Hodshire before the emblems at his memorial. Many of the Marines snapped a salute and touched his Kevlar helmet to show their respect.
“They embodied everything it means to serve your fellow Marines, your unit, and your country. I am humbled to have had the opportunity to serve amongst such men,” Brady stated.
Ellie
2nd Marine Division
Story by Pfc. Christopher J. Ohmen
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Feb. 2, 2006) -- He had many good qualities that he shared with his fellow Marines, one of the most important was he loved leading the Marines in his squad.
Second Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 8, said goodbye to five excellent Marines who were lost in the line of duty, Oct. 21 and 29. One of them, Sgt. Michael P. Hodshire, a 25-year-old North Adams, Mi., native, helped his Marines with whatever problems they faced.
Upon learning of Hodshire’s passing the Marines of Company E were left speechless. Despite the tragic loss of a good Marine, all that knew him agree that he has moved on to a better place.
The Marines from the company gathered in the battalion’s motor transportation building along with friends and guests from other units aboard Camp Fallujah.
At one end of the building, emblems were put in place in memory of Hodshire. As the Marines’ Hymn played, an M16-A4 service rifle with bayonet was inserted by one Marine into a small pile of sand bags. A second Marine placed a Kevlar helmet on the butt stock of the down-turned rifle and hung a set of dog tags from the pistol grip. The last emblem to be put in place was a pair of boots at the base of the sandbags.
Following the invocation by Navy Lt. Teddy L. Williams, the battalion chaplain, Lt. Col. James J. Minick, the battalion’s commanding officer, continued with comments about Hodshire.
“We honor these men who answered their county’s call and selflessly gave their lives so others may live in peace,” said Minick. “Thomas Paine said in 1776: These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
“Honor, courage, commitment, loyalty, selfless service. Marines and sailors of Company E and Task Force 2/2, these are the words I hear from you,” stated Capt. Timothy S. Brady, Hodshire’s company commander. “Listening to you speak of your brothers in arms, I know of their character and of their heart.”
As the words of Brady lingered with the Marines, Sgt. Sean H. Miles, Hodshire’s friend and fellow member of the company, stepped up to the podium to say goodbye to his comrade in arms.
“When a Marine was in trouble he would go out of his way to help out that Marine and take care of him without a second thought,” Miles stated. “Sergeant Hodshire will be watching over the Marines of 3rd Platoon, Company E and the Marines of 2/2. He was lost but will never be forgotten.”
Following Miles’ kind words, the Company E first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Dalton V. Pinnock, called role with three Marines answering ‘Present!’ Then he called Hodshire’s name.
“Sergeant Hodshire…Sgt. Hodshire…Sgt. Michael P. Hodshire!”
There was no reply.
“Present Arms!” commanded Brady to the company.
The rest of the Marines and sailors saluted, as “Taps” was played to honor their fallen comrades.
“Dismissed!” commanded Brady.
The Marines quickly formed a line to say personal farewells to Hodshire before the emblems at his memorial. Many of the Marines snapped a salute and touched his Kevlar helmet to show their respect.
“They embodied everything it means to serve your fellow Marines, your unit, and your country. I am humbled to have had the opportunity to serve amongst such men,” Brady stated.
Ellie