thedrifter
06-10-07, 06:54 AM
Full military honors awarded to Lt. Col. Michael A. Robinson
By Denise Sinclair
06-10-2007
Tiny American flags slightly blowing in the hot, midday sun lined the entrance and marched up the hilltop of Newsite Baptist Church Cemetery Saturday when U.S. Marines gathered to honor the late Lt. Col. Michael A. Robinson of Sylacauga.
Robinson, 42, died June 1 while on duty at Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan. According to reports, the lieutenant colonel died in his sleep. The family is awaiting word on an autopsy.
Following the graveside service, cremation will follow.
Prior to the full military honors at the cemetery, a service was held in the chapel of Radney-Smith Funeral Home.
A packed chapel of family and friends was reminded of Robinson’s love of the Marines, his country and his family. “God Bless America” could be heard in the background as an American flag was projected on the wall behind the Marine’s flag-draped coffin.
Favorite old hymns, including “Just As I Am,” also played during the service.
Military personnel read several proclamations from Gov. Bob Riley including one that presented Robinson with the state’s Distinguished Medal of Service. These were given to the family for Robinson’s service to his country and state.
Riley said in one of the presentations to the family, “We owe a debt of gratitude to him for his service to America.”
State Sen. Jim Preuitt, on behalf of Riley and the state of Alabama, offered regrets to the family on the loss of their loved one.
David Simpkins, a high school classmate of Robinson, led those attending the funeral in “Victory In Jesus.”
A U.S. Marine Corps officer and friend of Robinson called the veteran soldier an incredible friend and officer.
“He and his wife, Kristi, were mentors to me and my wife. He loved the Marine Corps. He was dedicated. That dedication came from his love of God, his country and his family. He worked hard. He never let you down,” his friend said.
Robinson served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, his friend said, and was able to influence people in another nation.
“From the Marine Corps side, he was highly regarded. We are proud of him. We wanted to tell you that. Semper Fi,” his friend said.
Robinson was a 1983 graduate of Sylacauga High School. He earned an ROTC scholarship to Auburn University and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering.
After graduating from Auburn, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a forward observer and platoon commander for the 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
While stationed with the 10th Marines, he volunteered for duty as a forward observer with “Charlie” Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines for contingency operations in the Republic of Panama.
After finishing this tour, he volunteered again to return with the 2nd Light Armored Infantry Battalion, serving in the operations leading up to the invasion of Panama. During this time, he was promoted to first lieutenant and finished his tour with the Fleet Marine Force at Camp Lejeune, and reported for duty in Dallas, Texas. There, he was the inspector instructor for the Marine Reserve Artillery Unit. He was then promoted to captain.
His next post was Okinawa, Japan, where he served as the S-3A Operations and Training officer for the 3rd Marine Division and as battery commander, Headquarters Battery, 3/12, 3rd Marine Division.
Following his tour in Japan, Robinson returned to the United States to serve as an artillery instructor at Fort Sill, Okla.
After his tour at Fort Sill, Robinson entered the civilian ranks, remaining in the Marine Reserves with the 4/14 in Bessemer. He was promoted to major and served as the S-3 operations and training officer.
He volunteered to serve as a Joint Iraqi Military advisor for the Iraqi Army, where he was responsible for training the Iraqi National Army in the defense of their country.
After a successful tour of duty there, he returned to the United States, where he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. His final post was Camp Eggers, where he was to serve as a liaison officer with the U.S. Embassy.
Robinson was awarded a long list of military honors during his years of service including the Combat Action Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal and more. He was inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, patron saint of Marine Artillery for his contributions to field artillery.
At the cemetery, a Marine Honor Guard removed the flag-draped coffin from the hearse while a bagpipe player standing in the distance filled the June afternoon with “Amazing Grace.”
As the family was seated, a 21-gun salute sounded and a lone Marine played taps.
While the family sat under the shade of a tent, the flag was removed from the soldier’s coffin. Standing nearby, two Marines held two folded American flags.
Birds singing pierced the silence as the Marines executed the ceremony of folding the flag and handed it off to a third Marine. The Marines then slowly moved to Robinson’s widow, Kristi, and the soldier’s parents to present the flags.
In addition to his wife, Robinson is survived by his parents, Tom D. Robinson and Fannie Kelley Robinson of Weogufka; his uncle, John M. Kelley and wife, Sue Price Kelley of Sylacauga; and several cousins.
The Rev. David Lane performed the service, while Radney-Smith Funeral Home directed it.
Also taking part in the ceremonies Saturday was a group known as the Patriot Guard Riders. The riders pay tribute to fallen soldiers, their families and community.
Ellie
By Denise Sinclair
06-10-2007
Tiny American flags slightly blowing in the hot, midday sun lined the entrance and marched up the hilltop of Newsite Baptist Church Cemetery Saturday when U.S. Marines gathered to honor the late Lt. Col. Michael A. Robinson of Sylacauga.
Robinson, 42, died June 1 while on duty at Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan. According to reports, the lieutenant colonel died in his sleep. The family is awaiting word on an autopsy.
Following the graveside service, cremation will follow.
Prior to the full military honors at the cemetery, a service was held in the chapel of Radney-Smith Funeral Home.
A packed chapel of family and friends was reminded of Robinson’s love of the Marines, his country and his family. “God Bless America” could be heard in the background as an American flag was projected on the wall behind the Marine’s flag-draped coffin.
Favorite old hymns, including “Just As I Am,” also played during the service.
Military personnel read several proclamations from Gov. Bob Riley including one that presented Robinson with the state’s Distinguished Medal of Service. These were given to the family for Robinson’s service to his country and state.
Riley said in one of the presentations to the family, “We owe a debt of gratitude to him for his service to America.”
State Sen. Jim Preuitt, on behalf of Riley and the state of Alabama, offered regrets to the family on the loss of their loved one.
David Simpkins, a high school classmate of Robinson, led those attending the funeral in “Victory In Jesus.”
A U.S. Marine Corps officer and friend of Robinson called the veteran soldier an incredible friend and officer.
“He and his wife, Kristi, were mentors to me and my wife. He loved the Marine Corps. He was dedicated. That dedication came from his love of God, his country and his family. He worked hard. He never let you down,” his friend said.
Robinson served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, his friend said, and was able to influence people in another nation.
“From the Marine Corps side, he was highly regarded. We are proud of him. We wanted to tell you that. Semper Fi,” his friend said.
Robinson was a 1983 graduate of Sylacauga High School. He earned an ROTC scholarship to Auburn University and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering.
After graduating from Auburn, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a forward observer and platoon commander for the 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
While stationed with the 10th Marines, he volunteered for duty as a forward observer with “Charlie” Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines for contingency operations in the Republic of Panama.
After finishing this tour, he volunteered again to return with the 2nd Light Armored Infantry Battalion, serving in the operations leading up to the invasion of Panama. During this time, he was promoted to first lieutenant and finished his tour with the Fleet Marine Force at Camp Lejeune, and reported for duty in Dallas, Texas. There, he was the inspector instructor for the Marine Reserve Artillery Unit. He was then promoted to captain.
His next post was Okinawa, Japan, where he served as the S-3A Operations and Training officer for the 3rd Marine Division and as battery commander, Headquarters Battery, 3/12, 3rd Marine Division.
Following his tour in Japan, Robinson returned to the United States to serve as an artillery instructor at Fort Sill, Okla.
After his tour at Fort Sill, Robinson entered the civilian ranks, remaining in the Marine Reserves with the 4/14 in Bessemer. He was promoted to major and served as the S-3 operations and training officer.
He volunteered to serve as a Joint Iraqi Military advisor for the Iraqi Army, where he was responsible for training the Iraqi National Army in the defense of their country.
After a successful tour of duty there, he returned to the United States, where he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. His final post was Camp Eggers, where he was to serve as a liaison officer with the U.S. Embassy.
Robinson was awarded a long list of military honors during his years of service including the Combat Action Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal and more. He was inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, patron saint of Marine Artillery for his contributions to field artillery.
At the cemetery, a Marine Honor Guard removed the flag-draped coffin from the hearse while a bagpipe player standing in the distance filled the June afternoon with “Amazing Grace.”
As the family was seated, a 21-gun salute sounded and a lone Marine played taps.
While the family sat under the shade of a tent, the flag was removed from the soldier’s coffin. Standing nearby, two Marines held two folded American flags.
Birds singing pierced the silence as the Marines executed the ceremony of folding the flag and handed it off to a third Marine. The Marines then slowly moved to Robinson’s widow, Kristi, and the soldier’s parents to present the flags.
In addition to his wife, Robinson is survived by his parents, Tom D. Robinson and Fannie Kelley Robinson of Weogufka; his uncle, John M. Kelley and wife, Sue Price Kelley of Sylacauga; and several cousins.
The Rev. David Lane performed the service, while Radney-Smith Funeral Home directed it.
Also taking part in the ceremonies Saturday was a group known as the Patriot Guard Riders. The riders pay tribute to fallen soldiers, their families and community.
Ellie