31 posts tagged “usmc”
Never Forget the Ultimate Sacrifice our Nation's heroes have made for our freedom-LIG
The Empire State Challenge Soldier Ride in the Hamptons on July 25th is in memory of many local fallen heroes, including Cpl Christopher Scherer.
Christopher George Scherer, was born on June 29, 1986 and was raised in the town of East Northport, NY. A fun loving and energetic boy, he played soccer, baseball, lacrosse and was also a member of Boy Scout Troop 52. He was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 17. Chris played two years of Varsity Lacrosse at Northport High School and graduated in June of 2004. One month later he was on his way to Parris Island, SC for a thirteen week job interview. He successfully completed boot camp and, on November 5, 2004, he earned the coveted title of United States Marine.
He completed his infantry and combat engineer training at Camp Lejeune in spring of 2005 and was then stationed at Camp Fuji, Japan until spring of 2006. He returned to the United States and spent the next year honing his Combat Engineer Skills at Camp Pendleton, Ca. On April 11th, 2007 Chris and his fellow Marines of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division shipped out on the 13th MEU as part of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. The MEU stopped in Guam and Singapore before arriving in Kuwait. There, Chris’s platoon trained for several weeks before they were sent to Iraq. While training in Kuwait, Chris earned the rank of Corporal on his mother’s birthday, June 1st.
On July 21, 2007 in the province of Al Anbar, Iraq, Chris lost his life serving the Country he loved. He was felled by a single bullet from the gun of an enemy sniper.
When Lieutenant Colonel Wayne Sinclair spoke at Chris’s funeral he said the following: “Chris’s platoon commander called him the most likable marine in the platoon, no one griped or had a bad day if Cpl Scherer had anything to say about it. Lieutenant Douglas Orr told me that though the living conditions in the field have been harsh over the past two months, and the marines have been working and fighting in 120 degree temperatures while wearing body armor and carrying ammunition, weapons, water, and equipment that typically weighs over 70 pounds for each marine, he never heard Chris complain or even question their circumstances - not once. Not ever.”
Lt Col Sinclair further stated: “Lt Orr also shared with me some of the unique traits that Chris' mates will forever remember him for. For starters, there was his sense of humor - paradoxically at its best when stress and privation were highest. Most notably, he had an uncanny ability to lift spirits with his voice impressions. He was a superb mimic of more actor’s voices and accents than anyone could count. One of his favorites was that from the movie Jaws…”Captain, I think you better get a bigger boat.” He would often say this when things got particularly rough.”
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released the following statement regarding Chris’s death. “The death of Corporal Christopher Scherer is a tremendous loss to our nation. Maria and I, along with all Californians, mourn the loss of this brave individual and express our sincere gratitude for his selfless service in defense of our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in this time of grief.”
Although his family misses him terribly, they are without question supportive of his decision to join the Marine Corps to defend our countries freedoms and urge all of you to support the rest of our Armed Forces who are doing the same.
Through pictures, poems, and emails from his family, friends, and fellow Marines, they hope you will join us in celebrating the life of their son Chris.
Please visit Chris' website to see how you can donate or do more.....
From Newsday, after Chris' ultimate sacrifice~
His family laughed and cried Monday as they shared memories of a funny, loving and loyal boy who played high school lacrosse, became an Eagle Scout and yearned to join the Marines.
He told them he was ready to join when he was 15, and he did so two years later under an early enlistment program. Before leaving for boot camp in August 2004, he and his father erected a flagpole in the front yard and hoisted the Stars and Stripes.
"The only person that can take that flag down is you," Tim Scherer recalled telling his son.
When Christopher Scherer came home on leave, he would replace the worn flag with a new one. On Saturday, when the Scherers learned of their son's death, they faced a heartbreaking dilemma: Who would replace the flag, and raise it to half-staff in tribute to their son?
On Saturday, a member of Christopher Scherer's Eagle Scout troop helped Tim Scherer raise a new flag donated by the New York State police.
In its company are yellow ribbons dotting houses along the street.
Christopher Scherer's sister Katie, 18, Monday recalled that in 2004, after her brother had completed boot camp, she wrote him a letter telling him how scared she was.
"He wrote me back saying, 'I'm ready for anything that comes my way,'" Katie Scherer recalled Monday.
Scherer was stationed in Fuji, Japan, in 2005, and at Camp Pendleton, Calif., in March 2006. Assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, he was deployed to Iraq in April, his family said.
He wore a silver-and-gold cross that had belonged to his grandfather, the late Kevin Joseph Scherer, an Air Force staff sergeant who served in Alaska during the Korean War.
"He didn't do it to be a hero," Katie Scherer said of her brother's decision to join the Marines. "He did it because it's what he believed in."
Scherer also is survived by his sister, Meghan, 18, and his mother, Janet Scherer, 48. The family will travel tomorrow to Delaware to accompany his body home to Long Island.
Visitation will be at Nolan and Taylor-Howe Funeral Home on Laurel Road in Northport both Thursday and Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Centerport Methodist Church on Little Neck Road in Centerport. Burial will follow in Northport Rural Cemetery.
As friends and neighbors streamed into the house Monday night, the Scherer family looked at a photograph of Christopher Scherer taken in an Irish fishing village during a long-anticipated trip with friends in 2005. Sitting on a bronze dolphin, he was smiling, his arms spread wide.
"That picture is the real Chris," said his grandmother, Margaret Burr. "He lived like he had the whole world in his hands."
Daily News article here
The Jared Kremm Foundation was created in memory of a USMC Lance Cpl from Long Island who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq. Help honor this local hero at the first fundraiser on June 13, 2009 from 6-9pm at Napper Tandy's in Smithtown. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $40. For more information, call (631) 360-0606.
Lance Cpl Jared J. Kremm (8/8/1980-10/27/2005) died from an indirect fire explosion in Saqlawiyah, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
From Newsday-"Jared was a hero; you've heard that again and again," Wackenhuth told the mourners. "He's your hero."
Kremm, who was raised in Bay Shore but attended high school and later lived in Hauppauge, was killed Oct. 27 in an explosion in Saqlawiyah while his unit searched for mines and hidden weapons, the U.S. Defense Department has said. A lance corporal with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary, Kremm was serving his second tour in Iraq.
He was the 13th soldier from Long Island to die in the Iraq war and at least the third with ties to Bay Shore killed.
"There's still a great feeling of disbelief," said Kremm's uncle, Donald Young, 40. "It just doesn't seem real or possible."
Yesterday's goodbye began with a small service at the Chapey Funeral Home in East Islip. After a processional of cars made its way to nearby Trinity, six Marines carried Kremm's coffin out of a hearse and into the church. Several soldiers and police officers who lined a walkway saluted, right hands in white gloves, as the coffin passed.
Kremm's mother, Nancy Young Kremm, was directly behind them, leaning on family members for support.
The service, a unique blend of military solidarity and a heartfelt farewell from a Long Island community to one of its own, celebrated Kremm's life as a soldier, relative and friend. But his work in Iraq, his legacy, was the theme of the funeral.
"Every generation has produced Jared Kremms ... heroes so that we can be safer," said Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington), who compared Kremm to revolutionaries who fought for American independence, the end of slavery and in World War II. "That is why Jared fought, and that's why he fell."
Cpl. Jose Soto, 27, who served with Kremm in Iraq, said his comrade had been a sparkplug, energizing the troops whenever there was a lull.
"If a job needed to be done," Soto said, "he would motivate the whole platoon to get it done."
Kremm was buried at Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton.
Read more about this Long Island hero here.
This is a follow-up to my Memorial Day post. Jeffrey L. Weiner is the Navy Corpsman buried next to Lt Murphy at Calverton -LIG HM2(FMF) JEFFREY L. WIENER May 26, 1973-May 7, 2005 KIA 07 MAY 2005 IRAQ 3RD BATTALION 25TH MARINES
Jeffrey L. Wiener, at the age of 31, Hospital Corpsman Second Class USNR was killed in the line of duty serving our country, defending freedom, and securing the future of his little girls on May 7, 2005 in Al-Anbar Province, Iraq. Formerly of Lynbrook, NY. Jeffrey was a graduate of Lynbrook Senior High School. Beloved husband and best friend of Mariateresa. Devoted and loving father of Mikayla Lynn and Theadora Rose.
Jeffrey devoted his life to helping others, volunteering in numerous community related organizations and departments. He was a former EMT for the County of Nassau, NY, earning the Red Cross Life Saving Award, the Jefferson County, KY EMS Squad, and the Patchogue, NY EMS Squad. Jeffrey was an ex-Captain of Tally-Ho Engine Company #3, Lynbrook Fire Department and an AMT-CC for the Lynbrook Medical Company #1. He was a certified CPR instructor working with several volunteer organizations including the Jefferson County Kentucky Explorers Program instructing teens in the field of EMS. Jeffrey served his country proudly earning the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Iraqi Campaign with FMF Combat Operations Insignia, the National Defense Medal, the Armed Forces Medal with M (For Mobilization), the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Fleet Marine Force Warfare Designation.
Sign the Legacy Book
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May 19, 2005 News Article- Beloved husband. Devoted father. Dedicated firefighter. Faithful friend. All these words - and more - have been used to describe Jeffrey L. Wiener, who on May 7 gave his life serving the in U.S. Navy in Iraq. |
Jeffrey Wiener, a former resident of both Lynbrook and Valley Stream, and an 11-year veteran and ex-captain of Lynbrook's Tally-Ho Engine Company No. 3, was killed in what Pentagon officials described as a "combat-related incident." Subsequent reports indicate that Wiener was killed during a four-hour firefight that erupted after insurgents used a suicide bomb to level a civilian hospital. The following eulogy was read by HM2 George T.Cleveland for HM2(FMF) Jeffrey L. Wiener: I have neither the words, nor the ability to tell you about my best friend, HM2 Jeff Wiener. Even though it took years to know him like I did, anyone who met him for just a few minutes was immediately struck by his strength of character. Jeff was just physically imposing enough to make you fear mispronouncing his name. And invariably when people did, usually pronouncing it WINER, he would announce, in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, and in an unmistakable Long Island accent, "It's WEENER, like the balls!"You see, Jeff was proud of who he was, of every aspect of his life from his family, to his name, to his heritage. But what he was most fiercely proud of was his service with the United States Marine Corps. When we met initially at Camp Geiger, there was one thing that drew us together like brothers. We both thought the Navy was gay, and we wanted to serve with the Marines. Not just the Marines, but with a line company. Jeff was from a Marine Corps Family, his brother who is a Sergeant with 1/7 served the last year in Al-Qaim. It had been over a year since Jeff had seen him. As fate would have it, Jeff was able to see his brother for the first and last time in Al-Asad, as he was leaving the country and Jeff was arriving. Jeff's other brother is in Paris Island right now, and Jeff had planned on visiting him at SOI when we arrived at Camp Lejeune. Jeff was more of a Marine than most Marines I know. That is the highest compliment any Marine can ever give to his doc, and one that is handed out only sparingly. Jeff earned that status among his Marines, and only a handful of Corpsman in this battalion can say the same. I have met many corpsman in my career, and Jeff is easily in the top five best I have ever met. Just a quick note about his ability. We had attended a Special Operations Medic class in Camp Lejeune prior to being deployed. The class was taught by a private company who hired ex recon and SEAL corpsman for missions with the FBI. The instructor of the class was so impressed with Jeff during several evolutions, that he offered him a job on the spot. Jeff was truly the best of the best. He was a warrior. His only drive, every day, was to go to war with his Marines. Jeff was always looking for a hot mission, telling me that he couldn't live with himself if he just laid back in the rear for the whole war. Jeff never laid back, he never took a play off, he never gave up. Before being deployed, Jeff tore his ACL, and suffered what his doctor described as a "phenomenal hernia". Any one of these injuries would have caused him not to be deployed, but he never spoke up, not even when he was taking Motrin by the hand full just to go on a patrol. He died a warriors death, he is a true American hero. If there is a person who valued service to his country more highly than Jeff did, I have yet to meet him. A paramedic in New York City prior to joining the military, Jeff lost several friends in the attack on the World Trade Center. Many times when I would find myself questioning why I am here, I could just look to Jeff and I would know. Jeff had an unwavering sense of purpose. He knew why he was here. He was here to make the world just a little safer for his daughters to grow up in. He was here because his country called him. He was here because some of his friends no longer were. Of all the things that Jeff gave me in his life, that sense of purpose is the most valuable. I no longer question why I am here, I know why. I am here to make the world a little safer for my kids, I am here because my country called me. I am here because my best friend no longer is. God Bless you Jeff. Semper Fi. |
CAMP RAMADI, Iraq – After receiving a letter informing him he was too old to be a Marine, the former youth counselor from the Bronx was determined to prove he possessed the character and grit to walk across Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island’s Peatris Parade Deck wearing the Eagle, Globe and Anchor.
Currently serving in Ramadi, Iraq, as the network operations supervisor for Regimental Combat Team 6, Sgt. Victor Arroyo was not guaranteed anything at the recruiter’s office like many other Marines. Managing to enlist even though he was two years past the cut-off age for enlistment, the 34-year-old Marine considers every day in this Marine Corps a blessing.
Shortly after his mother, who had been teaching more than 20 years was laid off, Arroyo, who was born and raised in Bronx, New York, knew that his chances of retaining a position in the school district as a youth counselor were slim. Though his mother was able to find another teaching job, Arroyo saw this as an awakening rather than a misfortune. The Marine Corps was calling.
As a teen, Arroyo was a young Marine cadet, an organization similar to Young Marines. Arroyo participated in field training events and competitions with other cadets throughout the state of New York, and as a cadet, learned how to properly press his utility uniform, shine his boots and utilize the phonetic alphabet and military time.
When he wasn’t taking part in field exercises with the cadets, he was at home in a full house, with his mother and a number of guests. Arroyo did not see much of his father growing up.
“I was angry at my father,” said Arroyo. “I was angry at myself, indirectly influenced by my relationship with my old man.”
Living in a neighborhood infested with violence and drugs, his father was a part of that life. He tried to escape it but no matter what happened, he found his way back, said Arroyo. Although Arroyo was aware of his father’s actions, more positive role models influenced him.
Growing up, his grandfather, a soldier who served in Korea, told Arroyo stories of hard-knuckled Marines and how well they carried themselves on the battlefield and in training. “He used to always tell me to join the Marines; that they are the best,” said Arroyo.
One story in particular stuck out, according to Arroyo. His grandfather had traveled many places in the world and one joint-training cycle alongside United States Marines led to his participation in one of the Marine Corps’ most significant battles during the Korean War.
Arroyo’s grandfather fought with the Marines during the amphibious assault at Inchon in 1950, a battle that resulted in victory and a swing of momentum in favor of U.N. forces during the early days of the Korean War. Arroyo would hear much more about the Marines as time went on.
After high school, Arroyo married and eventually became a father of two. Choosing to stay with his family rather than pursue a career in the military, Arroyo began working with kids. In 1996, he began work at a private facility for emotionally disturbed youth.
“It was something different every day,” said Arroyo. “There was no routine.”
For many years, Arroyo stayed close to the youth in his city, working with gang members and helping troubled youth with their General Education Development test, college courses, and sometimes simply finding jobs.
“I enjoyed what I did but I was looking at the writing on the wall,” said Arroyo. “The New York Department of Education was shaky. The only thing I wanted to do besides work with kids was be a Marine.”
Ten years later, Arroyo was standing outside a Marine recruiter’s office. The afternoon he walked in, Arroyo told the recruiter, “I am 31 and I want to be a Marine.” Arroyo was told to come back tomorrow if he was serious. At 9 a.m., the recruiter walked up to the locked office to find Arroyo standing outside, anxious to follow a dream.
The recruiter began his presentation on what the Marine Corps had to offer. Politely interrupting the Marine recruiter, Arroyo had his own speech prepared.
“I am not 18 years old; I am not a high school senior. I am divorced, I have kids, and I have a career. Can we just pull out the contracts and start signing?” said Arroyo.
After a number of waivers were reviewed and accepted, he was on his way to boot camp. Days before leaving, an early online-survey with his age registered an automatic response letter from the office of former Marine Corps Sergeant Major, Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada.
“We regret to inform you…” the letter read. As he continued reading, the letter explained that age limitations conflicted with his hope to enlist. Ready to set feet on those yellow footprints, Arroyo put the letter back in the envelope and saved it for his return from boot camp.
On January 12, 2007, Private First Class Arroyo walked toward his grandfather in his dress blue uniform, as the honorman of his platoon.
Meritoriously promoted three times, Arroyo moved up in the ranks, taking on more responsibilities as well duties.
Staff Sgt. Juan Angeles, the Regimental Combat Team 6 Information Assurance Chief, has monitored and mentored Arroyo since he came to the operating forces as a private first-class.
“He was locked on,” said Angeles. “He would always take opportunities to direct whatever was going on.”
Not the common Marine, Arroyo’s experience working with others contributed to his ability to lead others in the work space.
“In the rear, even as a private first-class, he would basically take charge of the group,” said Angeles. “He can easily take the lead on anything. I am sure he will excel at whatever he is doing.”
Looking toward the drill field as his next challenge, the man who was told he wouldn’t be able to become a Marine hopes to one day transform civilians into Marines. Now in Iraq, meritoriously promoted to the rank of sergeant, Arroyo doesn’t see an end in sight for his potential future in the Marine Corps.
- The 2nd Annual
- Cpl Christopher G. Scherer
- Memorial Run
- Read more about Chris at http://www.cplchris.com/
- Rest in Peace Cpl Scherer. Your sacrifice will NOT be Forgotten!
For the 4th year, Rockville Centre, Long Island, will host the Walk of Honor, a fundraiser and pub crawl through four of the best taverns in town.
The walk is in honor of 1st Lt. Ronald Winchester, USMC, who was KIA in Al Anbar province, Iraq, on September 3, 2004, at the beginning of his second deployment.
Proceeds from this event are donated to the 1st Marine Division Scholarship Fund for children who have lost one parent in Iraq or Afghanistan and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.
What: Walk of Honor/Pub Crawl
Where: Rockville Centre, Long Island
Maplink: http://tinyurl.com/56k5ws
When: Saturday, May 2, 2009
2pm to 8pm and beyond
The schedule of pubs to be visited is:
2-4 pm Stingers 300 Sunrise Highway (South side)
4-6 pm RJ Daniels 279 Sunrise Highway (North side)
6-8 pm Champ’s 48 N. Village Ave
8-? pm Kasey’s 23 North Park Ave.
$20 Donation per person
Donation entitles you to Half Price Drinks and a Free Buffet at ALL locations
Commemorative T-shirts for sale $15
If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation you can mail a check to:
1st Marine Division Scholarship Fund, Inc.
In memory of 1st Lt. Ronald Winchester
410 Pier View Way
Oceanside, CA 92054
H/T Dan @ NY Gathering of Eagles
Jordan Haerter Is Awarded A Navy Cross
Friends, family, officials attend ceremony in Virginia
(02/26/2009) A year ago, Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter was preparing for his deployment to Iraq. On Friday, when Secretary of the Navy
 Daniel Gonzalez |
Corporal Haerter of Sag Harbor and Corporal Yale of Burkeville, Va., were posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the highest medal awarded by the Department of the Navy and the second highest award given for valor, in a ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va.
Forty-three people had traveled by a Hampton Jitney charter bus, boarding from Corporal Haerter’s alma mater, Pierson High School, and at stops in Nassau County and New York City in the early morning hours to make the ceremony. Tyler Horn, Steve Lafountain, Nick Salsedo, and Travis Larson, some of his best friends while growing up, said nothing could be more important.
 Taylor K. Vecsey |
Eric Church, a 36-year-old from East Hampton who served in the Persian Gulf as an aviation structural mechanic with the Navy, didn’t know Corporal Haerter, but he worked with his mother, JoAnn Lyles, at Riverhead Building Supply for years.
“She knew I’d be there,” Mr. Church said on the bus ride back to Sag Harbor Friday afternoon. “I feel like I owe him, too, to at the very least be there. It’s only a day of work for me. Sometimes, it’s all you can do.”
Kevin Major’s 11-year-old son, Boris, might not have been thrilled to get out of bed and onto a bus at 2 in the morning, but the experience was immeasurable, his father, a former marine, said. Neither knew Corporal Haerter or his family. “You have some responsibility to community,” Mr. Major said. “That’s what I wanted him to learn.”
In the year since the corporals were killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq while they were on post at a checkpoint in Ramadi, the heroism of their actions has become increasingly clear. The men were from separate units, in the midst of a transfer in battalion command, and Corporal Yale was training Corporal Haerter. It was April 22.
 Taylor K. Vecsey Kevin Major, left, with his son, Boris, and retired Airforce Colonel Tom Toole at a reception after the Navy Cross ceremony. |
“Although not from the same unit, they acted as one in response to the threat. When a suicide bomber accelerated his truck toward their position . . . they had time only to rely on their discipline, their training, and their instincts. And they stood their grounds.”
Corporal Yale fired at the driver, killing him as the truck, with 2,000 pounds of explosives, swerved in and out of the barricades and then detonated. An Iraqi policeman had time to run away from the checkpoint. The two are credited with saving the lives of 33 marines, 21 Iraqi policemen, and many more Iraqi civilians.
Corporal Haerter was 19. Corporal Yale was 21. Both had enlisted in the summer of 2006, when the Iraqi insurgency was near its height, Mr. Winter said. “Not only that, but they enlisted as infantrymen. Make no mistake about it, when these young men elected to serve their country they knew the situation they would likely face. Yet they chose to serve because they believed they could make a difference in this world.”
Reg Cornelia, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, drove down from East Hampton for the ceremony with another Vietnam veteran, Jerry Hodgens, a former captain in the Marines. “Just the nature of what he and his buddy did — the quick thinking and the discipline. The human instinct is to dodge a huge truck coming at you with explosives. They didn’t.”
“It was an honor to be there,” Mr. Cornelia said, albeit a bit overwhelming. Surrounded at the ceremony by four-star and two-star generals, he said, “I kept checking to make sure my tie was straight.”
 Taylor K. Vecsey A poster of Corporal Jonathan T. Yale at the ceremony. He died with Corporal Haerter in April. |
Others who have lost family members in the service, like the Scherers from East Northport, whose son, Christopher Scherer, died in Iraq in 2007, drove down to support Corporal Haerter’s family.
Sag Harbor Village Mayor Greg Ferraris and Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., who grew up with Corporal Haerter’s father, flew down as well.
A handful of veterans and those in the honor guard also came down on the bus. Deborah Guerin, the president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Chelberg-Battle Post of the American Legion in Sag Harbor, kept track of everyone on the bus with the help of Carol Martino, the auxiliary secretary.
Jenna Salsedo, who remembers Corporal Haerter as her younger brother’s friend, always hanging around her house, attended with her mother, Alyssa Salsedo, and her 12-year-old brother, Joey. She has organized ceremonies on a smaller scale, like one on the beach on his birthday in July.
Tom Toole, a retired Navy captain who in November organized the dedication of the bridge to North Haven in Corporal Haerter’s name, drove up from Florida to attend. He brought with him plaques with Corporal Haerter’s ribbons and badges on them. One of the flags flown at the funeral was folded and put on display at the top of a plaque. Corporal Haerter’s friends marveled at the display, asking questions of the retired captain as to what each ribbon and badge meant.
Minutes later, Mr. Horn spoke of how Corporal Haerter led their group of friends in online video games like Joint Ops. The group enjoys remembering how he kept his old Toyota 4Runner brown with mud from driving down dirt roads, blasting hard rock tunes, and how he couldn’t hold his liquor and always ended up as the designated driver after parties on the beach. And then there’s all that “useless information” they miss so much now, such as how he knew that an F16 had the tightest turning radius of any fighter jet and that bananas are in danger of going extinct.
“I’m proud of him,” Mr. Horn said. “I’m proud that he put himself out there for other people.”
Mr. Haerter was visibly emotional as he said goodbye to his son’s friends at the end of the day and thanked everyone for attending. “It was nice to see so many local faces. Jordan knew you were here.”
As I watched the Academy Awards last night, I couldn't help thinking how superfluous it all seemed. Heath Ledger received the Best supporting Actor award, and everyone was very sad because of his untimely death. But where are the celebrations of our TRUE heroes? Men like Lance Cpl Jordan Haerter? Why is he not celebrated and splashed across the cover of People? His sacrifices are REAL, his contribution to society so much greater than an actor's could ever be, no matter how great their talent. It just felt wrong watching last night, knowing the sacrifices being made by our service members every day are unnoticed by most of our society. -LIG
Profound sacrifice, & thanks 2 who died for America given top Navy medal
By Stephanie Gaskell DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Saturday, February 21st 2009, 12:45 AM
Miller for News
JoAnn Lyles shows the Navy Cross that was awarded to her son, Marine Cpl. Jordan Haerter.
Miller for News
The Navy Cross was awarded to Marine Cpl. Jordan Haerter's mother, JoAnn Lyles.
QUANTICO, Va. - Two brave Marines - including one from Long Island - were awarded the Navy's highest honor Friday for giving their lives to stop a suicide bomber with 2,000 pounds of explosives.
"Today's ceremony gives the American people some sense of the debt we owe the Marines," said Navy Secretary Donald Winter, who thanked both families for their sacrifice to the nation. "These men are shining examples of the promise of America's next generation."
Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter of Sag Harbor, L.I., and Cpl. Jonathan Yale of Burkesville, Va., died last April 22 when they fought off a suicide bomber with a truckload of explosives at their checkpoint in Ramadi, Iraq.
The Marines shot at the truck, preventing the insurgent from reaching the joint security station inside the checkpoint.
The truck blew up - killing Haerter, 19, and Yale, 21 - but they saved the lives of more than 50 soldiers and Iraqi police officers stationed there.
Yesterday, the families of the two fallen Marines were presented with the Navy Cross medal - the Navy's highest medal for valor in combat - in a solemn ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
"There are 50 lucky families out there because of what Jordan did," said Haerter's mother, JoAnn Lyles, as she clutched her son's medal in her hand.
Haerter and Yale were manning the checkpoint at JSS Nasser on the eastern outskirts of Ramadi that morning.
Located in western Anbar Province, Ramadi was once a stronghold for the insurgency. Violence has plummeted in the past several years, ever since Sunni sheiks joined with U.S. forces to drive out Al Qaeda terrorists.
By last spring, the Marines had set up several joint security stations alongside Iraqi police across the city.
"They could have let the truck drive through the gate and none of us would have blamed them," said Lt. Dan Runzheimer, 24, Arlington, Tex., who was Haerter's platoon commander.
Runzheimer praised Haerter and Yale for their quick thinking that day. "They made a calculated decision in three seconds or less," he said.
That decision saved everyone inside the joint security station. "If that truck had made it into the compound, there would've been a lot more casualties," said Lance Cpl. Benjamin Tupaj.
Just 25 Navy Cross medals have been awarded since 9/11.
For his fellow Marines, it's a small token of their appreciation. "There's not a day that goes by that we're not thankful for what they did," Runzheimer said.
You will not be forgotten Jordan, Long Island will remember your brave sacrifice and your family's loss, Rest in Peace.
Read previous posts about LCpl Haerter here, here and here.
HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COMRADES
By NEIL GRAVES
February 17, 2009 --A young Marine from Long Island had only seconds to act when a fanatic driving a truck bomb came crashing through barricades and aimed straight for a building where 30 fellow Leathernecks and 25 Iraqi cops were just waking up.
Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter, of Sag Harbor, and fellow Marine Cpl. Jonathan Yale, 21, of Burkeville, Va., knew they had to stop the truck at any cost - and didn't hesitate.
On Friday, the Marine Corps will mark their ultimate sacrifice by posthumously awarding each the Navy Cross.
The bomber, who struck April 22, 2008 in Ramadi, was carrying a ton of explosives as he wove through a series of serpentine barricades, bouncing off the barriers as the truck hurtled toward the building.
The two heroes strafed the truck with fire from M16s and a light machine gun called a squad automatic weapon, or SAW.
The truck detonated against two other buildings, reducing them to dust - and killing the heroes. But all the Marines and cops in the targeted building survived.
Only 22 Marines have been awarded the Navy Cross - the second-highest award for valor after the Medal of Honor - throughout the entire seven-year War on Terror.
"I know the Marines will stand tall that day," said JoAnn Lyles, Haerter's grieving but proud mom.
The explosion was horrific.
"We heard the SAW go off and we turned our heads to see what they were shooting at," said Lance Cpl. Benjamin Tupaj. "About two seconds after that, the truck detonated. There was a shock wave. All I saw was a giant fireball two stories high." Lance Cpl. Nicholas Xiarhos said, "I saw the fireball and then the whole area was filled with dust and smoke."
Xiarhos also saw the two young men who had saved his life. "They were out there [in the rubble]. The corpsmen reached them immediately and started giving them aid."
Haerter was already gone, and Yale would hang on for only a few minutes.
"I think Jordan would think he was doing what any Marine in his position would do," said his dad, Chris Haerter.
He said his son learned to fly a plane at 16, and the dad was surprised Jordan didn't enlist in the Air Force. But the youth believed that the Marines "was the hardest service; it was the one most respected out of all the armed services," said the father.
Shortly after the attack, Chris Haerter was watching CNN.
"The anchor said two Marines were killed in Ramadi and in my heart, I knew one was Jordan," he said. "He might as well had been talking to me."
The elder Haerter then went out for a walk, but "the minute I stepped on the sidewalk, I saw two Marines in full dress, getting out of a car. You never see Marines in Sag Harbor."
Next, he saw someone else step from the car, his ex-wife, Lyles, and he knew that what he had felt in his gut at seeing the TV news story had turned real.
The ceremony, presided over by Navy Secretary Donald Winter in Quantico, Va., will be attended by dozens of friends, relatives and fellow Marines.
"It's truly an honor," said Lyles. "Of course, I'd trade it all to have him back."
Please join us at for the Navy Cross Award Ceremony Honoring
Corporal Jonathan T. Yale, 2nd Battalion, 8th MarinesAnd
Lance Corporal Jordan C. Haerter, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines.
The National Museum of the Marine Corps
18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy.
Triangle, VA 22172
Friday, February 20th at 11:00 O’clock
Jordan's Honors & Awards:
MILITARY AWARDS:
Navy Cross Medal (to be awarded February 20th, 2009)
Purple Heart Medal
Combat Action Ribbon
Iraqi Campaign Medal
Iraqi Service Medal
Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
CIVILIAN AWARDS:
Southampton Town Police Department Badge
Sag Harbor Police Department Gold Badge.
Suffolk County Medal for Distinguished Military Service
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