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1/8 Marines Honor Fallen Warriors
(January 9, 2011) |
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| MUSA QAL'EH, Afghanistan (12/29/2010) – Marines and sailors
with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2,
paused to honor two fallen brothers, Lance Cpl. Jose A.
Hernandez and Staff Sgt. Stacy A. Green with Company A,
during a memorial ceremony in Musa Qal'eh, Dec. 29. |
 “Staff Sergeant Green was a man who loved to make people
laugh and have a good time,” said Cpl. Brian Cozy with
Weapons Platoon, Company A. “Spending time with his Marines
was definitely a top priority to him and anytime spent with
him was an unforgettable one.”
While serving
with Weapons Platoon, Green was an integral part
of training and preparing the Marines for
Operation Enduring Freedom. Green's proficiency
and deployment experience were critical to |
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Capt. Daniel O'Brien,
commanding officer of Company A, 1st Battalion,
8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2 speaks
during a memorial ceremony held in honor of
Lance Cpl. Jose A. Hernandez and Staff Sgt.
Stacy A. Green with Company A, in Musa Qal'eh,
Dec. 29, 2010. Photo by USMC LCpl. Joshua Hines |
each piece of training the Marines of weapons
platoon carried out.
Entering the Marine Corps on Sept. 30,
1999, Green graduated basic training at Marine Corps Recruit
Depot Paris Island, S.C. Dec. 31, 1999. Green then reported
to the School of Infantry, Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he
completed his training as an infantryman. Over his Marine
Corps career, Green served in numerous billets and
leadership positions. On May 31, 2008, Green reported for
duty with 1st Bn., 8th Marines, and was assigned to Weapons
Platoon, Company A.
“He was an example of how to
treat and act toward your Marines,” said Cpl. Austin Breiter
with Weapons Platoon, Company A. “He taught me how to be a
mentor who not only speaks, but listens, to lead not only by
observing, but by his Marines observing him.”
 Lance
Cpl. Hernandez entered the Marine Corps Dec. 5, 2007 and
graduated basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Parris Island, S.C. Sept. 18, 2009. Hernandez then reported
to the School of Infantry, Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he
completed his training as a rifleman. Hernandez reported for
duty with 1st Bn., 8th Marines, Dec. 12, 2009, and was
assigned to 2nd Platoon, Company A.
“He always
managed to keep a positive attitude, and he had
an ability to motivate everyone around him even
during the toughest of times,” said Sgt. David
Ketron, a squad leader with 2nd Platoon, Company
A..
While serving with 2nd Platoon,
Hernandez strove to better himself and those around him. He
was a junior Marine that was up for accomplishing any task
in preparation for Operation Enduring Freedom. Hernandez, in
most situations, was the go-to-guy, in which his motivation
and passion for his job was key to the successful completion
of his platoon's pre-deployment training in Fort Pickett,
Va. and Enhanced Mojave Viper at Marine Corps Air Ground
Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif.
“Lance Cpl.
Hernandez was a solid Marine with a self-depreciating sense
of humor which belied a confident upright man,” said Capt.
Daniel O'Brian, commanding officer of Company A. “His
demeanor, his eagerness to take on responsibility, and his
maturity were all hallmarks of a leader.” |
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Both
Marines were well respected by their fellow Marines as well
as their superiors, who saw their exemplary character and
dedication.
“Both Staff Sgt. Green and Lance Cpl.
Hernandez were unselfish patriots who put country before
complaint and service before self, not by the promise of
hollow words but rather by the stout-hearted execution of
their deeds and actions,” said Lt. Col. Dan T. Canfield,
commanding officer of 1st Bn., 8th Marines. “They were both
great Americans. Their deaths are deeply felt by all of us
who knew and served with them. Staff Sgt. Green and Lance
Cpl. Hernandez were brave, loyal, and determined Marines who
performed their duty with simple |
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Marines and sailors of 1st
Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2 alongside
Afghan National Security Forces in attendance, stand and
salute as “Taps” plays during a memorial ceremony held in
honor of Lance Cpl. Jose A. Hernandez and Staff Sgt. Stacy
A. Green with Company A, in Musa Qal'eh, Dec. 29, 2010.
Green was born Aug. 22, 1976, in Tallapoosa, Ala. and Hernandez was born Dec. 26, 1990 in Palm Beach, Fla.
Photo by USMC LCpl. Joshua Hines |
dignity, unselfishness, and grace.”
Final roll was called three times, only to be
answered by silence. Taps followed in a final farewell. |
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By USMC LCpl. Joshua Hines
Regimental Combat Team-2, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs
Copyright 2010 | |
Provided
through DVIDS
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