thedrifter
04-12-08, 06:59 AM
Remembering fallen heroes
April 11, 2008 - 11:13PM
HEATHER GALE
DAILY NEWS STAFF
As families were led in by Marine escort, a somber feeling fell over the crowd as their fallen loved ones were remembered.
More than 100 Marines, sailors and soldiers' rifles were placed in their boots with a helmet on top to show they will not be forgotten by their families and their military comrades.
The II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)'s memorial service Friday at Camp Lejeune honored 111 military personnel - 33 soldiers, four Navy corpsmen and 74 Marines.
Cindy Wisener, of eastern North Carolina, said her son, Steven R. Jewell, was killed Aug. 8, 2007. Jewell was an Army specialist.
Wisener, who was at the ceremony with Jewell's son, Will, and Jewell's sister, Logan, said he wanted to be in the military to have a better life.
"He wanted to be able to support his son and to make a better life for his family," she said. "He knew the only way for him to have (a better life) was to join the military."
Wisener said her son had talked about the military and was influenced by it because she and her husband met in the National Guard.
II MEF (Fwd) deployed in January 2007 with more than 34,000 members for a 13-month mission to the Anbar province and returned home in February - except the 111 fallen.
All the families of the fallen military personnel were invited to the service.
Major Gen. Walter Gaskin said the memorial service was very important to him and the families.
"(We wanted to help) bring closure to the families," he said. "And to also honor the ones who died."
Gaskin said he also wanted to thank the families for the sacrifices they have made, including the ultimate one.
"The (personnel) that deployed know the dangers and risks," he said. "We were in the Anbar province and the (military that were over there) said they were able to do a good job and that they really felt they made a difference."
Chaplain Capt. Michael Langston said he was deployed with II MEF (Fwd) and wouldn't have missed the memorial service for anything.
"This is more than just the military," he said. "This is family."
Langston said the most important thing for the families to know is that their son, daughter, husband or wife died for the right cause.
"We wanted to let the families know that they were cared for and that they are part of the military families," he said.
Gaskin also said it was important to have some of the members of the military who deployed with those who died at the service.
"It is difficult for (the military personnel) because they served with them," he said. "But it is good for them to see the families and to make a connection with them."
The memorial service Friday was the third service for II MEF (Fwd), said Lt. Barry Edwards.
A 21-shot salute, taps and a memorial meditation were performed during the service honoring the fallen service members.
Contact city and county government reporter Heather Gale at hgale@freedomenc.com or 910-353-1171 ext. 8464.
Ellie
April 11, 2008 - 11:13PM
HEATHER GALE
DAILY NEWS STAFF
As families were led in by Marine escort, a somber feeling fell over the crowd as their fallen loved ones were remembered.
More than 100 Marines, sailors and soldiers' rifles were placed in their boots with a helmet on top to show they will not be forgotten by their families and their military comrades.
The II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)'s memorial service Friday at Camp Lejeune honored 111 military personnel - 33 soldiers, four Navy corpsmen and 74 Marines.
Cindy Wisener, of eastern North Carolina, said her son, Steven R. Jewell, was killed Aug. 8, 2007. Jewell was an Army specialist.
Wisener, who was at the ceremony with Jewell's son, Will, and Jewell's sister, Logan, said he wanted to be in the military to have a better life.
"He wanted to be able to support his son and to make a better life for his family," she said. "He knew the only way for him to have (a better life) was to join the military."
Wisener said her son had talked about the military and was influenced by it because she and her husband met in the National Guard.
II MEF (Fwd) deployed in January 2007 with more than 34,000 members for a 13-month mission to the Anbar province and returned home in February - except the 111 fallen.
All the families of the fallen military personnel were invited to the service.
Major Gen. Walter Gaskin said the memorial service was very important to him and the families.
"(We wanted to help) bring closure to the families," he said. "And to also honor the ones who died."
Gaskin said he also wanted to thank the families for the sacrifices they have made, including the ultimate one.
"The (personnel) that deployed know the dangers and risks," he said. "We were in the Anbar province and the (military that were over there) said they were able to do a good job and that they really felt they made a difference."
Chaplain Capt. Michael Langston said he was deployed with II MEF (Fwd) and wouldn't have missed the memorial service for anything.
"This is more than just the military," he said. "This is family."
Langston said the most important thing for the families to know is that their son, daughter, husband or wife died for the right cause.
"We wanted to let the families know that they were cared for and that they are part of the military families," he said.
Gaskin also said it was important to have some of the members of the military who deployed with those who died at the service.
"It is difficult for (the military personnel) because they served with them," he said. "But it is good for them to see the families and to make a connection with them."
The memorial service Friday was the third service for II MEF (Fwd), said Lt. Barry Edwards.
A 21-shot salute, taps and a memorial meditation were performed during the service honoring the fallen service members.
Contact city and county government reporter Heather Gale at hgale@freedomenc.com or 910-353-1171 ext. 8464.
Ellie