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June 03, 2005
Memorial Day at Al Asad
Marines with the 6th ESB, currently deployed in the Al Anbar province of Iraq, took time on Memorial Day to honor one of their own - First Sgt. Michael S. Barnhill. He was killed on Saturday, May 28 by an IED explosion. Here are memories of 1st Sgt. Barnhill from his CO and the Marines he led, as reported by Cpl Herron:
Maj. Sean J. Riddell, 6th ESB, Alpha Company CO:
"Barnhill hated leaving the wire. But the only thing he hated worse was knowing his Marines were out there, and there was nothing he could do if something happened. World War II veterans define courage as being afraid, but going anyway. By that definition, Barnhill was a very courageous man. He hated leaving the wire, but he did it for the Marines. He was old enough to know he wouldn't live forever, but young enough to know he wanted to do a lot more with his life."
Sgt. Justin Babbit:
"He helped out his junior Marines even when he didn't have to. He was buoyant and loud. His personality was one of the defining personalities of our company. I had never met a bigger, tougher man who showed his love for his junior Marines."
Cpl. James Peterson
"My first meeting with [First Sgt. Barnhill] was at a company formation before the unit was to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. When he stood in front of me to ask me why my dog tag had not been placed in my left boot like he had instructed I responded that I was new and had not heard the order. Then he proceeded to explain why that was no excuse. His [Peterson's] noncommissioned officers should have passed the word. That is what he expected of them, to look after their junior Marines just like he did."
Lance Cpl. Jared Tjaden:
"He always found a way to make you laugh. He always made sure his Marines were taken care of."
1st Sgt. Barnhill was married to Joanna and leaves a legacy of three children, Michael, Michelle and Ashlee. He would have retired from the USMC in December. He will never be forgotten by the Marines with whom he served and the world is forever diminished by his death.
Posted by Deb at June 3, 2005 02:14 PM
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Comments
Is there an email address where I can reach someone to get info so that I can make a donation to Sgt. Barnhill's family? I tried herronca@acemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil* (per the photo credit) and the email was returned as un-deliverable. Thanks.
Posted by: jaymie at June 3, 2005 08:46 PM
Yes there is a place you can make a donation to the barnhill family.
Orangevale Youth Soccer Club
P.O. box 2617
Orangevale, Ca 95662
Posted by: Nichole at June 8, 2005 12:36 PM