thedrifter
05-28-06, 08:18 AM
Purple Heart recipient 'loves, lives the Marines'
Sunday, May 28, 2006
By Trish Graber
tgraber@sjnewsco.com
MANTUA TWP. -- For as long as Arlene Nicodemus could remember, her grandson wanted to be a U.S. Marine.
And last month, when a roadside bomb exploded under his vehicle in Iraq, she knew it would not prevent Sgt. Mike Collins from continuing to serve his country.
"He just loves and lives the Marines," Nicodemus said of Collins, 28, of Franklin Township. "When he got hurt, he said 'This is want I want to do, this is where I belong.'"
Collins' vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb in Ramadi, Iraq on April 5. Shrapnel tore through his back, leaving behind speckled burns where scraps of metal were lodged.
He was the only person in his group injured in the explosion.
After just two days, Collins returned to duty in Ramadi, where he is currently stationed for his third tour.
The Delsea Regional High School graduate received a Purple Heart.
He was one of six local servicemen and women honored at the Mantua Post Office during a Memorial Day service Saturday. His uncle, Dave Nicodemus, accepted the award.
"I'm very proud," Nicodemus said after the ceremony. "I talked to him on the phone three days ago -- he's very proud."
Others honored Saturday included Dianne Nourse, who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1981 to 1984, and since 1988 has worked as a letter carrier at the Mantua Post Office; Ed Ratcliff, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1974-1979, and has worked as a clerk at the post office since 1985; Russell Wurst, a Purple Heart recipient who served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam from 1966 to 1968; Robert Barger, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946; and VFW Post 7679 Commander Bill Hornibrook.
The day also marked the opening day of a new stamp at the Mantua Post Office, the Purple Heart.
About 20 people attended the ceremony with members of the VFW Post 7679, who presided over the event.
Suited in dress blues, Korean War veteran Fred Connolly, 74, performed the formal flag raising -- an honorary tradition for him.
"I've done it every year on a public building since I was discharged from Fort Dix in 1952," he said. "Out of respect for my country."
And for those at the event, including Connolly, it was a day to look back on events that helped shape the country, and to look ahead.
Arlene Nicodemus, of Mantua, said she is looking forward to the next time Collins returns home, and when he returns one day for good.
"It's hard, I want them to come home," she said. "But I guess that's what everyone wants."
Ellie
Sunday, May 28, 2006
By Trish Graber
tgraber@sjnewsco.com
MANTUA TWP. -- For as long as Arlene Nicodemus could remember, her grandson wanted to be a U.S. Marine.
And last month, when a roadside bomb exploded under his vehicle in Iraq, she knew it would not prevent Sgt. Mike Collins from continuing to serve his country.
"He just loves and lives the Marines," Nicodemus said of Collins, 28, of Franklin Township. "When he got hurt, he said 'This is want I want to do, this is where I belong.'"
Collins' vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb in Ramadi, Iraq on April 5. Shrapnel tore through his back, leaving behind speckled burns where scraps of metal were lodged.
He was the only person in his group injured in the explosion.
After just two days, Collins returned to duty in Ramadi, where he is currently stationed for his third tour.
The Delsea Regional High School graduate received a Purple Heart.
He was one of six local servicemen and women honored at the Mantua Post Office during a Memorial Day service Saturday. His uncle, Dave Nicodemus, accepted the award.
"I'm very proud," Nicodemus said after the ceremony. "I talked to him on the phone three days ago -- he's very proud."
Others honored Saturday included Dianne Nourse, who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1981 to 1984, and since 1988 has worked as a letter carrier at the Mantua Post Office; Ed Ratcliff, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1974-1979, and has worked as a clerk at the post office since 1985; Russell Wurst, a Purple Heart recipient who served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam from 1966 to 1968; Robert Barger, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946; and VFW Post 7679 Commander Bill Hornibrook.
The day also marked the opening day of a new stamp at the Mantua Post Office, the Purple Heart.
About 20 people attended the ceremony with members of the VFW Post 7679, who presided over the event.
Suited in dress blues, Korean War veteran Fred Connolly, 74, performed the formal flag raising -- an honorary tradition for him.
"I've done it every year on a public building since I was discharged from Fort Dix in 1952," he said. "Out of respect for my country."
And for those at the event, including Connolly, it was a day to look back on events that helped shape the country, and to look ahead.
Arlene Nicodemus, of Mantua, said she is looking forward to the next time Collins returns home, and when he returns one day for good.
"It's hard, I want them to come home," she said. "But I guess that's what everyone wants."
Ellie