Marine Corps Moms: He's given it for you

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January 05, 2005

He's given it for you

Marines from 2nd MARDIV's Small Craft Company said goodbye to fallen hero, LCpl Brian Parello in a memorial service held on the shores of Lake Habbaniyah in the Al Anbar province of Iraq on Jan. 4, 2005. He was killed in action on New Year's Day while conducting operations against anti-Iraqi forces in Iraq's Al Anbar Province.

Photo by Sgt. Luis R. Agostini

LCpl Parello served as a small unit riverine craft coxswain and took part in a number of riverine security patrols while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and also earned the Combat Action Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal.

Photo by Sgt. Luis R. Agostini

This poem was read during his memorial service:

In a crowd you see him,
standing so very tall.
Not too much impresses him,
He's seen and done it all.
His hair is short, his eyes are sharp,
His smile is a little blue,
And it's the only indication of hell he's been through.
It belongs to sacred brotherhood always faithful to the end,
Walked right into battle
And walked back out again.
Many people think him foolish for having no regrets,
But having lived through things that others would like to forget.
He's First to go last to know,
Never questions why,
Or whether it is right or wrong,
But only do or die.
He walked path most won't take,
And lost much along the way.
He takes a lot of freedom,
But it's small price to pay
He's chosen to live a life off of the beaten track,
Knowing well each time he goes, he might not make it back.
So Next time you see a devil dog be grateful of all he's given,
He's given it for you.
Don't go up and ask him what it's like to be in war,
Just thank God it's your country he's always fighting for.
Thank him, too, for all the hell he's seen in cammie green,
And thank him for having the courage to be a United States Marine.

Condolences to LCpl Parello's family and the Marines with whom he served.

Posted by Deb at January 5, 2005 07:57 PM

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Comments

Does anybody know the name of the person (most likely a Marine) that wrote the poem that was read at the memorial service. I feel he/she should receive the credit the deserve for writing such a poignant poem.

Posted by: William Torpey at January 6, 2005 10:41 AM