Memorial Day 2005 - Part 2

Pouring over words penned by their son, a 1997 Brown University graduate, the Gavriels concluded there was nothing anyone could have done to prevent him from joining the Marines, where most recruits were 10 years his junior.

“He bore deep into his heart, knowing this torment, which stood as the ultimate barrier to so many, was really the threshold to promises he had made to himself during a time that had long passed,'’ Gavriel had written about his agonizing decision to join the Marines.

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From the emails:

“So how, after all this, did a guy like me end up in Iraq? The answer is pretty simple when I look to the young Marines at my right and left. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to do something, no, give something, to deserve all the good things we, as Americans, enjoy and sometimes take for granted as we move through the years of the good lives we lead under the safety and freedom of our flag.'’

“Everyone lost something on that terrible day of 9/11. I lost my close friends, brothers you might say. Guys I grew up with, teammates, pals, mentors and confidants. I watched the towers fall, helpless, from a block away in the streets of New York and made a promise before God that I would do all I could to keep something like this from happening again. No man can know just exactly how much his effort has changed the world out here, but together we have chased much evil away from power and have shown those who, for one reason or another, hate our way of life, that we are a nation of people who refuse to live under the threat of terror.'’

“Had to sprint over a 200-yard pontoon bridge after an eight-hour patrol to clear a section of an island in the Euphrates where we took mortar fire. By the time I reached the far side I couldn’t feel my legs".

“I was tripping over (expletive) goats, chickens, rolling ankles and watching other Marines just plain faint. Fun stuff. This is the kind of stuff that makes for good memories, better stories - but sucks to live through.'’

Memorial Day 2005

In observance of Memorial Day -- Thank you to all those that have and continue to make the ultimate sacrifice for our Country. 9/11, personally changed my life/perception on quite of few important aspects. I will forever be changed. Thank you for all those that fight for the freedoms that many of us take for granted.... Peace be will you all....

Found this by way of And Rightly So! Hero

Call to duty: Fallen Marine ‘wanted to make a difference’

Knocked on his back by a burst of gunfire that hammered the body armor covering his chest in November in Fallujah, Marine Lance Cpl. Dimitrios Gavriel gave his corporal the thumbs-up and continued to cover the room where his attacker lay waiting.
Within minutes, the 29-year-old Gavriel would be dead, killed by more bullets and a grenade tossed by the Iraqi insurgent who would also draw his last breath that day.

A fiercely loyal and patriotic first-generation Greek-American, he gave up a lucrative career on Wall Street to join the Marines after losing five friends on Sept. 11. Gavriel didn’t have to be in Fallujah when he died Nov. 19. But his letters and e-mails now clearly show that the Haverhill man was determined to serve his country despite the pleadings of his family and friends to stay out of harm’s way.

“He was tormented over trying to please us and living up to the promise he had made to himself on 9/11,'’ said Gavriel’s father, Chris. “He didn’t want to upset us but he knew if he didn’t do this he would regret it years from now.'’
On their first Memorial Day since losing their son to the harrowing battle of Fallujah, Chris and Penelope Gavriel have learned much more about why their son rejected the riches of Wall Street to carry an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and about how he was killed in a small house by a man who also chose to give his life for his country.

Previous Postings

Here is where you can find my previous postings on MSN MySpace -- I have, as of June 1, 2005 moved to Blogspot. Please check out my past postings and welcome any comments, suggestions, etc.