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Army Pfc. Branden Oberleitner

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1055929047255942.xml

'Model soldier' honored at Worthington funeral

Mark Williams
Associated Press

Worthington, Ohio - As bagpipes played, six soldiers carried a flag-draped casket past rows of American flags into a cemetery yesterday for the burial of a 20-year-old soldier killed in Iraq.

Fire trucks, their lights flashing, were stationed at the entrance to Walnut Grove Cemetery.

The soldiers also had carried the casket into Worthington United Methodist Church for the funeral of Army Pfc. Branden Oberleitner.

A flag was at half-staff outside the church in this Columbus suburb, and a pianist and flutist played "Amazing Grace" inside.

Oberleitner was killed and five other soldiers were wounded June 5 in Fallujah, Iraq, when they were attacked with a rocket-propelled grenade.

At least seven Ohio soldiers have died in Iraq, most of them since President Bush declared an end to major hostilities May 1.

"He's described as a model soldier, a soldier others could count on, turn to and laugh with," family friend William Owen told the approximately 200 mourners at the church.

"He has a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and the appreciation of all of us because he showed that Americans are not selfish, but selfless," Owen said.

Owen said Oberleitner learned loyalty to people and to his unit. "He learned respect for others," he said.

As a child, Oberleitner was described as ornery.

"He was like all children, disappointing one moment and filling us with pride the next," Owen said.

Oberleitner served in the 101st Airborne Division, stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky.

"Branden did not die because of God's will but because men and women hate too much and love too little," said the Rev. Alan Sippel.

"Branden has entered that life that knows no end."

Oberleitner was a 2001 graduate of Thomas Worthington High School. He felt compelled to join the military after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to friends.

At the cemetery, Maj. Gen. James Donald kneeled on one knee as he gave Oberleitner's mother a flag folded by the soldiers, along with her son's Bronze Star for valor and Purple Heart.

Donald said he told her that the flag was being presented on behalf of a grateful nation and for her son's dedicated service to his country.

Seven soldiers fired a three-shot volley, and a trumpeter played taps.

"The last two weeks have just been a nightmare," said Keith Luce, who taught firefighting and emergency medical training to Oberleitner at the Delaware Area Career Center.

He said Oberleitner talked about the military extensively at the career center and how the terrorist attacks influenced his decision to join the Army.

"He's really a nice kid," Luce said after the funeral. "He was ornerier than the devil. He could make you laugh."

Navy Petty Officer Third Class Doyle W. Bollinger

http://www.swtimes.com/archive/2003/June/13/news/Sailor.html

Family Remembers Sailor
By Marcus Blair
TIMES RECORD

POTEAU — Two weeks ago, Wayne Bollinger called his mother from Iraq to say he loved her. It was the last time she heard from him.

Nine days later, a Naval officer brought word that the 21-year-old Navy SeaBee from Poteau had been killed by an undetected bomb that exploded near his unit as they were working.

His mother, Wyvonne Bollinger, wept Thursday as she spoke at a news conference at the Poteau Civic Center. She said her son loved being in the Navy and was proud to serve his country.

Wayne Bollinger believed he should go to war to prevent another devastating terrorist attack on America, his mother said. He wanted to do his part.

“If my 20-year-old son could tell me that, then I believe in this war, too,” Wyvonne Bollinger said. “God brought him home ... not home the way we wanted him to be, but he’s in a better home.”

Wayne Bollinger grew up in Poteau and graduated from Poteau High School. He never was quite sure of what he wanted to do with his life, but knew the Navy was a good way to be successful, his mother said.

He had a strong sense of duty and never told his mother where he was working in Iraq or what he was doing. But he often spoke of the future: He had plans of re-enlisting or starting his own business when his tour of duty was over.

Wayne Bollinger felt a deep connection to the men in his unit. His last letter home contained a list of 40 men who had not received care packages, and he asked his mother to find someone who would support them.

That was the way he lived his life: He loved people and wanted to meet and know everyone, his mother said. Sometimes he would introduce himself to strangers and have long conversations with them because he was interested in people.

Wyvonne Bollinger urged people to continue to pray for and support the troops because although the war may be over, the danger remains for those on the front lines.

“They’re not over there for the fun of it; they’re over there for a reason,” she said. “They need to just know America is behind them 100 percent.”

Wayne Bollinger’s funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Poteau High School gymnasium.

Bollinger’s death is being investigated by the Navy, said Lt. Commander Robert Mulac of Navy Public Affairs. It may be several weeks before details can be released.

Marine Sgt. Jonathan W. Lambert

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/South/07/04/sprj.irq.marines.letter.ap/

Soldier's letter tells of hard work and great pride

(AP) -- On May 10, Marine Sgt. Jonathan W. Lambert e-mailed a letter to his hometown newspaper, The Banner-Independent of Booneville, Mississippi, describing his pride in being a Marine.

On June 1, Lambert -- a husband and father of a 2-year-old daughter -- died from injuries suffered in a Humvee accident on Memorial Day.

This is part of what Lambert, 28, said in his letter:

I am a Marine. I have been in the Marines for over eight years. It has always been a dream for me to be in the Marines. I love the challenge. I continuously work and sweat for it.

I feel that I need to give back to my nation what so many have given before me. I have an uncle, Carroll Brown, who was in the Marine Corps during Viet Nam. His stories are what enticed me with the thoughts of being a Marine.

My occupation is wireless data communications. I am hard and thorough with my Marines to make sure the job is done right. Many other Marines depend on us for their survival in combat. I will not let them down.

On March 22nd, my section crossed over into Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We continued to advance for the next three weeks until we were at Saddam's front door, Baghdad.

It was a hard battle with many Marines wounded or killed in action. But this is what we had to do to protect your way of life. Your freedoms, also. This operation was history in the making. This was the furthest the Marine Corps has fought a battle inland in the 227 years of its existence.

I'm not writing to you to toot the horns for the Marine Corps, but many people look at the big picture and forget about what it took to make it. It takes people dedicated to protect this nation. I have respect for all services, law enforcement, and especially the firemen. We know that this is more than a job, we do it for our children, grandchildren, friends and family. To make sure that their future will be protected as ours is today.

So I say thanks to everyone who supports us. Without you, we wouldn't be where we are today. We are one family here, as we are back home.

I include a picture of me in front of a Russian made Type 54/55 tank that was destroyed by artillery by some of my fellow Marines using radios that I manage. It is located in Ad Diwaniyah, Iraq at about 180 miles south of Baghdad. We are slowly making our way back home. Also, there is one with me sitting in front of one of the thousands of murals of Saddam. Thanks for your time.

Semper Fi,

Jonathan W. Lambert

Sgt. USMC