"The character of a nation can be measured by the way that nation treats its Veterans." by anonymous.
Tonight, we remember a 19 year old Marine from Milwaukee. He graduated top in physical fitness from Marine Boot Camp and served as an intelligence specialist assigned to the Combat Logistics Regiment 2 and Marine Logistics. He died in Helmand Province, Afghanistan from non-hostile causes.
Since 2001, there have been 2276 American troops killed in Operation Enduring Freedom. Since 2010, there have been 66 casualties in Operation New Dawn.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.
DoD Announces Marine Casualty
Lance Cpl. Jeremiah M. Collins, Jr., 19, of Milwaukee, Wis., died Oct. 5 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
This incident is under investigation.
Lance Corporal Jeremiah M. Collins
Lance Cpl. Jeremiah Collins graduated from Milwaukee Hamilton High School in 2012 and immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. While in the Marines, Collins strove for excellency. In May 2013, he was promoted to Lance Corporal. His mother, Shannon, said he wanted to prove to himself and others that "he could be something great."
Shannon told the Fox 6 News:
"He loved the Marines. He wanted to protect his country. He was willing to look down the eye of a gun for country,”
Shannon Collins said her son was determined and excelled in boot camp. On graduation day, he carried the USMC flag. She added:
“He graduated boot camp with a 300 PFT (physical fitness test) which is the highest you can get,” said Collins.
Best friend, Samuel Sanchez, told Fox 6 News that Collins was:
“A person that will push you keep you going wont let anything knock him down,” said Sanchez. “He was a great man and I will never forget him.”
On October 3, 2013, Lance Corporal Jeremiah Collins wrote on Facebook from Afghanistan about his concern over the government shut-down. His last line was sternly worded:
Make up your minds, I will protect the being of my country with my life, but do not go f*cking with the men and women that protect your sorry asses.
Sadly, just two days later, LCPL Collins died in Afghanistan. His family would have to deal with the heartbreak of losing their son and having money to bury their son.
Shannon told the Today Show Show:
"The government is hurting the wrong people," said Shannon Collins, who lost her son over the weekend in Afghanistan.
"Families shouldn’t have to worry about how they’re going to bury their child," she told NBC News. "Families shouldn’t have to worry about how they're going to feed their family if they don’t go to work this week."
"I don't necessarily have $10,000 to bury my son," she said. While she is working with the funeral home to make arrangements, she wondered: "Am I going to be on a payment plan for the rest of my life so that my son can have the services that he deserves?"
Fortunately, the Fisher House came through for the families, which it is always does, and will provide compensation and burial expenses to the families of the fallen.
Lance Cpl. Jeremiah Collins is survived by his mother, Shannon, father, Jeremiah, sister, brother and grandmother. Deepest condolences to the family.
Semper Fi, Lance Cpl. Jeremiah Collins
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Sources: Lance Cpl. Jeremiah Collins,Fox 6 Now, KPBS, US News/ NBC.News, Today Show
In Flanders Fields
by Lt. Col. John McRae, MD, (1872-1918)
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved,
and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
All of the U.S. fatalities can be seen here and here. They all had loved ones, families and friends. The DoD news releases are here. I Got the News Today is intended to honor, respect and remind. Click the IGTNT tags below for previous diaries.
Click the IGTNT tags to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by i dunno, Monkeybiz, Noweasels, Blue Jersey Mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, Spam Nunn, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Maggie Jean, Jax Dem, The Fat Lady Sings, Ekaterina, Joy of Fishes, and me, Sandy on Signal.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.