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 MUSA
QAL’EH DISTRICT CENTER, Afghanistan (10/25/2011) –
Marines and sailors with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment,
attended a memorial service Oct. 13 to honor Lance Cpl.
Benjamin W. Schmidt, 24, of San Antonio.
Schmidt, a
scout sniper with Headquarters and Service Company, 2/4,
died while conducting combat operations Oct. 6. Several of
those closest to Schmidt offered kind words about their
fallen brother, including those who served with him in the
Scout Sniper Platoon.
“I believe there are several
ways to honor a man like Benjamin,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jairo
A. Fredonis, the Scout Sniper Platoon commander. “One way is
to simply remember him and tell his story, show people how
he lived, how he cared and loved, speak of his dedication
and his commitment, inform those who didn’t know him that he
existed, … explain that Benjamin was a great man and how
unfortunate it is that they never had a chance to meet him.”
Fredonis read to the crowd a deeply personal letter he
wrote to Schmidt’s parents, explaining the positive impact
Schmidt had on everyone he encountered, including himself.
“He was such an incredible young man; he was funny, he
was smart, witty, courageous, committed, honorable and an
exceptional warrior,” said Fredonis. “He was a titan when it
came to our craft – Marine scout sniper. You raised an
amazing young man, and I will tell his story for the rest of
my life.”
The battalion’s commanding officer, Lt.
Col. William H. Vivian, also spoke highly of Schmidt. Vivian
talked about how Schmidt stood out among the battalion’s
exceptional scout snipers.
“He always showed a real
passion for his work and a sincere generosity to his
brothers,” said Vivian. “He set an example that lifted
others around him to reach a little higher.”
A final
roll call was performed by Sgt. Maj. Donald K. Williams, the
battalion sergeant major, as the ceremony neared its end –
no response came when Schmidt’s name was called. Williams
ordered the Marines to honor the dead; they promptly
complied, rendering salutes for their fallen brother as
“Taps” played softly. Then every Marine in attendance
approached Schmidt’s memorial display, individually paying
their final respects to a hero who paid the ultimate
sacrifice.
“The world is a lesser place without him,”
said Fredonis. “I will forever miss him; I’m so very sorry
that he’s gone.”
More associated images in frame below
By USMC Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde
2nd Marine Division
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2011
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