Lion of Fallujah
Maj. Douglas Zembiec, KIA May 10, 2007, Baghdad, laid to rest. Of a day in combat, first Fallujah, April 04:
“The greatest day of my life. I never felt so alive, so exhilarated, so purposeful. There is nothing equal to combat, and there is no greater honor than to lead men into combat. Once you’ve dealt with life and death like that, it gives you a whole new perspective.”
Navy chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Scott Radetski, at Arlington:
“You can shed a tear because he is gone or smile because he lived.”
Here’s the profile of Zembiec written by Tony Perry of the LA Times.
A note on Perry, also a piece of work. I knew him briefly in Kuwait before the invasion, had dinner with him a couple of times. He was 56, overweight, and said he intended to stay with the command element well out of the action. But he fell in love with the Marines, went into action with them repeatedly, and did some great reporting on them.
(h/t Larwyn on the funeral coverage)
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 6:29 pm on Saturday, May 19, 2007
One Response to “Lion of Fallujah”
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May 19th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Never forget those who were killed. Never let rest those who killed them.
Be a man of principal. Fight for what you believe in. Keep your word. Live with integrity. Be brave. Believe in something bigger than yourself. Serve your country.
Teach. Mentor. Give something back to society. Conquer your fears. Be a good friend. Be humble and self-confident. Appreciate your friends and family. Be a leader and not a follower. Be valorous on the field of battle and take responsibility for your actions.
Words a civilized society should live by. RIP Major Zembiec. I hope we will honor you.