The Goal of Project Honor is memorialize the lives of Our Fallen Warriors, individually, in the words of those that knew them. There is no deadline for "completion" and updates to each are likely.
Our Fallen deserve to be remembered for their Victories and Character in life, not only the moment the enemy got lucky. They are not mere names nor numbers to be used in a political campaign.
Ace Of Spades: Why Language Matters In this article, Ace of Spades demonstrates how the writing style of "journalists" and other writers is purposely used to influence the electorate. He explains this far better than I have been able to do, but this is the foundation of why I could no longer be silent.
Lucas Christopher Scott of Peebles, Ohio was born in Cincinati on November 30, 1990 and graduated from Peebles High School in 2009.
Luke played soccer, track, and cross country. And he attended Ohio Valley Career & Technical Center during his Junior and Senior years.
He graduated from Boot Camp, Parris Island, in September 2009. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on March 1, 2010, to Corporal in December 2010, and deployed to Afghanistan in the summer of 2010. Despite previous wounds, he refused to stay behind for more than his birthday.
"I can't imagine there ever being a better man, friend, or Marine." Jimmie Whitley, friend.
He was "a fine marine and an even better friend." Marine Tyler Caudill
His Awards and Decorations include: the Purple Heart(2), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrrorism Service Medal, and NATO Medal.
Michael E Geary, of Derry NH, was born August 6, 1990 in Malden, Massachusetts and graduated in 2009 from Pinkerton Academy.
He enjoyed running and working out at the gym with his father.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2009 and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Camp LeJeune, NC.
“Since he was 14, it was all he talked about.’’ Tim Geary, father.
“He just knew exactly what he wanted in his life, and there was no room for skepticism. For a person of such a young age to articulate that, and to have such a clear sense of direction, is just amazing to me.’’ Shannon Brandano, aunt.
He inspired at least two classmates to join the Marines as well: Jeremy Levesque and Robert Gladysz.
"He was motivated. I wanted to be like that." Robert Gladysz, Marine Recruit & classmate.
"He was the most caring guy I've ever met; the most kindhearted. He'd do anything for anyone." Jeremy Levesque, Marine & co-worker.
"He would volunteer to take point so married guys and guys with children wouldn't have to. I can't think of a braver, more courageous thing to do." Beckie Smith, wife of fellow Marine.
by Lance Cpl. Andrew Johnston CAMP HANSON, Helmand province, Afghanistan — Marines with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, gathered to honor Lance Cpl. Michael E. Geary, a rifleman with Fox Company, 2/9, Dec. 17, during a memorial service at Camp Hanson in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Excerpts follow:
LCpl Ross C Carter said Geary’s main concern was the wellbeing of everyone around him. He said Geary was especially reverent and prayed daily for his mother battling cancer in the states. “Geary was a devoted catholic,” said Carter. “He always carried rosary beads and a Saint Michaels charm on every patrol. He was a loving son who had a close bond with his mother.” Geary was the kind of guy everyone looked to when they were down explained Carter. He said he was the type of Marine that could take even the worst circumstances and turn them into a comical situation.
“Lance Cpl. Geary had the power to find humor in the most difficult situations,” said Lt. Col. James R. Fullwood, commanding officer for 2/9. “He was always ready with a joke to lighten the mood, even if that joke was at his own expense. He was known as a Marine who took care of his buddies without any concern for himself and the type of man who would give the shirt off his back without thinking twice of it.”
Lance Cpl. Jason D. Earnest, a rifleman with Fox, 2/9, said he met Geary at the School of Infantry and quickly became friends. They both checked into 2/9 and from there, their ongoing razzing of favorite hockey teams and pride for their home towns continued all of the way to Afghanistan where they both landed in the same squad. “Michael and I never fought, but we did have our childish arguments over hockey and whose team was better,” said Earnest. “Michael and I were together fighting side by side here in Afghanistan. We helped each other in every fire fight. We even slept with our bug-net-tents next to each other. He was always there for me when I needed guidance or someone to talk to. He became the big brother I wish I had when I was a kid.”
Carter said Geary’s disciplined upbringing showed when it counted most. He said Geary never gave up at anything and was always trying to find new ways to improve the squad and every Marine around him.
“Growing up in south Boston made him tough,” said Carter. “He showed us his mental and physical toughness in combat. As his team leader, Geary and I constantly worked on our communication in attempts to proficiently navigate our squad together. The entire platoon and I are honored to have known him as a Marine,” said Carter. “He will be missed and never forgotten. His memory will give us the strength and motivation to push through this deployment and beyond.”
His awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Geary is survived by his mother, Nancy M. Buiting Geary, his father Timothy Geary, grandmother Beverly, and grandfather, Robert Antle. He was remembered at the St Thomas Aquinas Church on Dec 17, 2010 in Derry and laid to rest at New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetary in Boscawen, NH.
Javier O. Ortiz-Rivera graduated from Edison Tech HS in 2002. He joined the Marines in 2002.
"My husband was very much loved by his Marines, his friends, community, and especially myself and our kids." Veronica Ortiz, wife. "He told me he was extremely blessed to be out there with the guys he was out there with. He started a Bible study with his guys, and his faith was stronger than ever."
"Javier was the absolute best father any kid could ever hope for," she wrote. "His kids were his pride and joy and of all the jobs he had, being a father was what he did best."
1/8 honors fallen warriors during memorial ceremony by Lance Cpl. Joshua Hines RCT-2, 2nd MarDiv
“Eternal Father, grant we pray, to all Marines, both night and day, the courage, honor, strength and skill their land to serve, thy law fulfill; Be thou the shield forevermore from every peril to the Corps.”
These were the words spoke in prayer, Oct. 21, during a memorial ceremony held by 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 2, in honor of Lance Cpl. Raymon L. Johnson and Seaman Edwin P. Gonzalez, two brothers-in-arms who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Johnson, 22, of Muscogee, Ga. entered the Marine Corps, Dec. 5, 2007, and graduated basic training from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., Feb. 29, 2008. Following basic training Johnson reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he completed his training as a rifleman. Johnson then reported for duty with 1st Bn., 8th Marines, May 10, 2008, and was assigned to Company A, where he quickly became a squad leader, a position normally held by a Marine two ranks above his own. Johnson was an integral part of his platoon’s pre-deployment preparation.
The ceremony was held in the Musa Qal’eh district center, with its district prosecutor, Azsat, and Maj. Abdul Wahid, executive officer of 3rd Kandak, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps, Afghan National Army, in attendance, alongside Marines and sailors of 1st Bn., 8th Marines.
The ceremony began with the national anthem playing as two rifles with fixed bayonets were driven into sandbags. Helmets then rested on the butt stock of each rifle, and a set of identification tags hung from each pistol grip to form the memorial-stands in honor of the fallen brothers.
During the memorial, Capt. Daniel F. O’Brien, commanding officer of Company A, 1st Bn., 8th Marines, spoke of Johnson’s natural leadership and integrity.
“Lance Cpl. Johnson was a good man and a fine Marine. He was the kind of Marine who sought out responsibility, and never shied from his duty,” said O’Brien. “While this is true of many of us, Johnson had a special quality, a quiet confidence and a calm maturity that was remarkable in one as young as he.”
O’Brien went on to explain, “Lance Cpl. Johnson had a natural propensity for leadership which was recognized by his command, but more importantly it was obvious that it was recognized by his peers. He was the kind of Marine who led from the ranks. He knew what was right and he did it, but he was also able to compel those around him to do the right thing. That’s the kind of man, the kind of Marine, Lance Cpl. Johnson was.”
As the ceremony neared its closing moments the battalion commander expressed his sorrow at the loss of both Gonzalez and Johnson.
“Both Seaman Gonzalez and Lance Corporal Johnson were great Americans. Their deaths are deeply felt by all of us who knew and served with them,” said Lt. Col. Dan T. Canfield, commanding officer of 1st Bn., 8th Marines. “They were brave, loyal, and determined young men who performed their duty with simple dignity, unselfishness, and grace. They will be sorely missed.”
In his closing statements, Canfield reassured all in attendance that Johnson’s and Gonzalez’s lives will not have been lost in vain.
“We will honor their memory by persevering in the face of adversity and accomplishing the mission that they made the ultimate sacrifice for,” Canfield added. “Not because of any words uttered here today, but rather because it is the right thing to do and if either Seaman Gonzalez and Lance Cpl. Johnson were here today, they would want nothing more and expect nothing less.”
Canfield went on to say, “They gave their lives in the simple, but sublime performance of duty as they understood it to be. They fought and died for their country, their fellow Marines and sailors of 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, our brothers in the Afghan National Police and ANA, and the good people of Musa Qal’eh, defending all of us from tyrants.”
Canfield’s words resonated with the importance of our mission to bring security to the Afghan government in order to put an end to the continued loss of life in the struggle of the stabilizing country.
After the playing of “Taps,” the service came to an end, and all those in attendance paid their final respects honoring the sacrifice made by their fallen brothers.
There is only one set of people that can truly tell the story of the lives Our Fallen have lived, of their Glories, of their Honor, of their Victories, of their laughter and jokes. The people they fought with, the people they lived with, the people they loved have the best seats and hence should have the podium to tell the story.
While we offer every family and the teammates of Our Fallen, those that knew them, the opportunity to tell their story here, we will also point to their individual Memorial Sites. Mrs. Cody Roberts has decided to tell the story of her husband, her hero, her Marine on her own site. In her words:
"I want my husband to be known by all, I want him to be a household name, and for people to truly be touched by the sacrifice that he made for those he never even knew." Ashleigh Roberts
Please visit her site to know this great hero. Mrs. Roberts, our best wishes to you. We are grateful to you for sharing LCpl Cody Roberts with Our Nation.
Johnson, 22, of Muscogee, Ga. entered the Marine Corps, Dec. 5, 2007, and graduated basic training from Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., Feb. 29, 2008. Following basic training Johnson reported to the School of Infantry, Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he completed his training as a rifleman. Johnson then reported for duty with 1st Bn., 8th Marines, May 10, 2008, and was assigned to Company A, where he quickly became a squad leader, a position normally held by a Marine two ranks above his own. Johnson was an integral part of his platoon’s pre-deployment preparation.
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