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Fallen Marine 2nd CEB Engineer Honored
(May 19, 2011) |
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 PATROL
BASE JAMIL, Helmand province, Afghanistan (05/15/2011) -
Marines and sailors from 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and
Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, paused to
remember the life and service of Lance Cpl. Ronald D.
Freeman during a memorial service at Patrol Base Jamil, May
4.
Freeman was killed in action April 28 while
clearing the way for others on a foot patrol while
conducting combat operations in Sangin, Afghanistan. Freeman
was 25 and from Plant City, Fla.
Freeman enlisted in
the Marine Corps in September 2008 as a combat engineer and
was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion stationed at
Camp Lejeune, N.C. He deployed with 1/5 in March 2011 in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom clearing the way for
the Marines and sailors of 1st Platoon daily on foot
patrols.
“We all looked up to Lance Cpl. Freeman and
admired his confidence and ability to conduct his job
without any mental reservation,” said 1st Lt. Luis E.
Murillo, the platoon commander for 1st Platoon, Co. A, from
Meriden, Conn. “He in turn gave us the confidence we needed
to be able to do our job in Sangin.” |
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Danny Purvis, a chaplain for 2nd Marine Division, delivers the invocation for U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, as they mourn the loss of two Marines during a memorial ceremony in Sangin, Afghanistan May 4. The ceremony was for Lance Cpls. Joe Jackson and Ronald Freeman, who were killed in action while conducting combat operations in support of International Security Assistance Forces and Operation Enduring Freedom.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Nathan McCord |
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Nicknamed ‘Dougie,' he was also remembered by his
fellow Marines and friends for his positive attitude
and ability to lighten any situation and keep others
focused on the brighter side of life.
“What
Lance Cpl. Freeman gave this world on a daily basis
in the way of his warm personality, friendly smile,
and positive attitude will be sorely missed,” said
1st Lt. Max Wineland, a platoon commander for 2nd
CEB attached to 1/5. “In this line of work it's not
always easy to stay positive, but I could always
count on Lance Cpl. Freeman to lighten the mood and
bring a sense of calm and stability to the
situation.”
Along with constant reassurance,
Freeman was remembered for his selflessness and
service when he was not leading Marines through
Sangin.
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“If you were in need, Freeman was the kind of guy
that would be right there to help you with whatever
it was you needed help with,” said Sgt. Gregory A.
Jecko, a squad leader for 2nd CEB attached to 1/5,
from Toledo, Ohio. “Freeman would always put others
before himself. He would go the extra mile just to
say hello or ask about your loved ones.” |
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“A few others remember that one of his last words was
that it was his daughter's birthday that day,” said Navy Lt.
David D. Kim, the 1/5 battalion chaplain. “His family and
his loved ones at home, was on his mind continually and to
the end.
“Their love for him gave him strength as his
love for them, his love for all of us, actually, fueled his
desire to fight for peace and prosperity in a distant land
and for a country full of strangers,” said Kim, from
Mineola, N.Y.
Freeman's reassuring personality,
selfless service and continual sacrifice for others will be
remembered and missed by the Marines of 2nd CEB as they
carry on counterinsurgency operations and daily patrols
without him leading the way.
Freeman's personal
awards include the Purple Heart and the Combat Action
Ribbon. |
By USMC Cpl. Benjamin Crilly
Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division
Copyright 2011 | |
Provided
through DVIDS
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