|
FORWARD OPERATING BASE NOW ZAD, Helmand province, Afghanistan
(2/7/2012) - The Marines stand at attention. War-toughened sergeants
shout out “here” as their name is called. Leading the formation,
1stSgt Andrew Golding, 45, weapons company first sergeant, from Fort
Lauderdale, Fl. calls the roll.
A memorial is held in memory of Sgt. William C. Stacey, a Marine from Seattle, Wash., who was killed in combat in Now Zad District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on January 31, 2012. Stacey served proudly with the “Magnificent Bastards” of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 6th Marine Regiment. In a letter to his family, he wrote, “If my life buys the safety of a child who will one day change the world, then I know it was all worth it.” Photo by USMC Staff Sgt. Robert Storm |
“Sgt. Stacey.” Silence follows.
“Sgt. William
Stacey,” Golding's voice raises, but silence again reigns.
“SGT. WILLIAM C. STACEY,” Golding thunders. No one
answers. Stacey has obeyed his last Marine Corps order.
Stacey was killed in combat in Now Zad District, Helmand
Province, Afghanistan on January 31, 2012.
“Honor the
fallen,” Golding says quietly. He seems to deflate a little
as he executes an about face and solemnly salutes the
memorial made in honor of Stacey. It is a simple memorial;
the American flag and the Marine Corps flag, in front of
them are an M16, a pair of boots, a helmet, and dog tags. It
is a memorial given to all Marines who fall in combat and
the ceremony has no less dignity for being in a foreign
country.
Stacey was born in Seattle, Wash., March 1,
1988. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and graduated from
recruit training March 2007. He was soon assigned to the
81mm mortar platoon, weapons company, 2nd battalion, 4th
Marines.
“He was a joker,” Cpl. Gerardo Lara said,
24, squad leader, from McAllen, Texas. “SNAILS!” he cried
out.
Stacey's entire squad is in the company briefing
room. In unison they all yell, “SNAILS” and extend their
arms and wag their fingers. They all laugh, but after a few
moments the laughter wanes. The smiles fade as each member
realizes that the one who started the inside joke will never
be with them again.
“It's hard to explain,” Lara
said. “It's just something we did with each other, we're
Stacey's Roughnecks.”
Members of “Stacey's
Roughnecks” talk about his passion for life. They talk about
Stacey's idea of a perfect Saturday; drinking beer, playing
scrabble and hanging out with his girlfriend, Kimmy Kirkwood
and their dog. They continue to talk about his enthusiasm
and pride for being a Marine. As they smile and laugh, their
faces turn down and they remember their fallen brother
bitter sweetly.
“Stacey had a saying every time we
went out,” Cpl. Edward Pricola said, 21, team leader, from
Stockton, Calif. “No mercy, ruck up, put your M frames on
and harden the (heck) up.”
As he speaks, the Marines
straighten up. “OORAH!” they yell as Pricola finishes. Then
silence.
In an excerpt from a letter written by
Stacey in the case of his death, “My death did not change
the world. It may be tough for you to justify its meaning at
all. But there is a greater meaning to it. Perhaps I did not
change the world. Perhaps there is still injustice in the
world. But there will be a child who will live because men
left the security they enjoyed in their home country to come
to this. And this child will learn in the new schools that
have been built. He will walk the streets not worried about
whether or not his leader's henchmen are going to come
kidnap him. He will grow into a fine man who will pursue
every opportunity his heart could desire. He will have the
gift of freedom, which I have enjoyed for so long. If my
life buys the safety of a child who will one day change the
world, then I know it was all worth it.”
If, as
Stacey writes, his death did not change the world, his life
surely did to those that knew him.
More photos available in frame below
By USMC Staff Sgt. Robert Storm
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
Comment on this article |
