sad news ... JUNGLE GRUNTS' Cpl Vickerman/USMC killed May 28

[hevezimj]

http://www.pbase.com/hevezimj/image/20041934

I am so sorry to hear of Travis' passing. The day I photographed him in Okinawa on this patrol, he was leading the men in his platoon as a junior corporal. Both his platoon commander -- normally an officer -- and his platoon sergeant -- a much more seasoned enlisted man -- were not on this patrol because they were back at base camp tending administrative concerns. They put Travis on point because it was a great leadership opportunity for a junior Marine preparing for a real-world combat mission.

His leadership seemed to my eyes to be as good and strong as it gets. His men followed him obediently and with vigor. They seemed to respond to "their buddy" in the driver's seat, making it happen. I am very personally affected by the very sad news of his death and will never forget day Cpl. Travis Vickerman led me on patrol with my FM2 through the Okinawa Jungle.

Semper Fi "Grunt."

The Corps lost a good man on May 28, 2004.

Godspeed. Rest in Peace brother.

[hevezimj]

More on the story of Jungles Grunts and the day with Vickerman and his platoon is viewable at:

http://www.mpjconnection.com/page39.html

[pulp_depiction]

God Bless the Marines.

They quite literally took the high ground in the history of man.


And they are still at work for the Republic, at an even bigger moment in history. They will prevail or the USA and its ideals...

[ugot2bkdng]

The attached photo was forwarded from one of the last U.S. Marine companies in Iraq. They would like to have it passed to as many people as possible, to let the folks back home know that they remember why they're there and that they remember those who've been lost.

[pulp_depiction]

When I looked at the "9-11" formation I first thought the helmets were sitting atop their weapons! But that would make a heck of a lot of clean-up work.

So, are they shovels?

Hmmmm. ...CSI anywhere 'bouts?

[pulp_depiction]

PS

The cam uniform is a perfect match for that foreign dirt.

If they were prone and spread out amongst ground cover a helo crew would have some difficulty 'seeing' them. Of course with IR gear...