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April 11, 2005
Small Craft Company honors LCpl Parrello
Last January, a hero from 2nd MARDIV's Small Craft Company was laid to rest. LCpl Brian Parrello was killed in action on January 1st in the Al Anbar province. His brothers held a memorial service for him on the shores of Lake Habbaniyah. His funeral service at home was equally fitting to a hero's memory. An attending Marine sent his brothers in Iraq this description:
To the Marines of Small Craft Co,Brian Parrello was laid to rest today at 10:30 EST in a very solemn and dignified ceremony in his home town.
The funeral mass took place at his church. It's a small church in West Milford on elevated ground with a cemetery on the hill behind it. I for one find it comforting that he'll be in his home town, near his church, where his family can visit him. Several hundred people were in attendance and the church couldn’t hold that many people. Many stood out in the rain or waited for the mass to end in an adjoining building.
The weather was to say the least, crappy. It was cold and wet and the ground was covered with snow and ice and mud on the hill where Brian's grave site was located. Only a Marine would appreciate the hump, uphill in the rain and the cold through snow and mud to bring Brian to his final resting place near the top of the hill. Most of the attendees walked more than a quarter mile in that nasty weather to make it to the graveside. They did so with no complaints.
The Marines of the I & I staff and the Marine Reserve Unit 2/25 at Picatinny Arsenal did a fantastic job from beginning to end. Major Paulus and his staff had everything covered down to the finest detail. Brian's family was escorted every step of the way that I could see. The graveside ceremony went off without a hitch and was conducted with precision and grace. The Parrellos were surrounded by friends and family as they laid Brian to rest.
The entire hill was silent as the Marine pallbearers carried his flag draped coffin to the grave. It was no easy task as the ground was slippery and uneven, but they covered the ground silently and without incident. They made it look easy. They placed his coffin over the grave and stood at attention on either side as the graveside ceremony took place.
The rifle detail stood in the distance, looking sharp and executed the 21 gun salute. While almost everyone else had umbrellas or stood under the tent, they stood out in the pouring rain leaning into the icy hill. Anyone who’s stood at parade rest for a prolonged period of time can appreciate how hard it can be, especially when you’re leaning into the hill and in the cold and rain. Their feet had to be numb after just a few minutes of standing there. But the Marines of the rifle detail stood there, unflinching. Some things never leave you and as a Grunt I swear I could hear the M-16 rusting as they stood there in that unrelenting rain. At the designated time they executed the salute with perfect precision.
The pallbearers folded the flag as a bugler played taps.
The graveside ceremony concluded with 16 pipers and drummers from two bands playing the Marines Hymn in a slow solemn tempo.
I never knew Brian, and I regret that. I find similarities in that we're both from north Jersey, we both joined the Corps right out of high school and we both fought for our Corps and Country. As I said to Brian's brother, while we're all saddened by his loss, we can all take solace in the fact that he died a hero, doing something he loved and believed in, and in the company of great men. Marines, and other servicemen and women have been making the supreme sacrifice since the birth of our nation so that we may live free. Brian has reminded us once again that freedom isn't free and that Brave men and women are the reason we are the greatest nation in the world. He's our inspiration and we're all better people because of him.
I offer all of you my sincere condolences for your loss, and my sincere admiration for carrying the torch.
Semper Fi Marines!
And his name lives on in Iraq. The name of the base camp is now known as FOB Parrello.
Posted by Deb at April 11, 2005 09:15 PM
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Comments
very mving posting, God bless our Marines
Posted by: Barb at April 17, 2005 03:41 PM
To the Marines of Small Craft Comapny. I am sorry about the loss of one of your Marines. My heart and prayers goes out to his family and fellow Marines. You all are doing a great job. Half of the police department that I work for all former Marines. We wish you a safe return home.
Semper-Fi.
Sgt. Shawn "Krash" Kosanovich SCCO 95-99.
Posted by: Shawn "KRASH" Kosanovich at May 14, 2005 07:48 AM
To my fellow brothers of Small Craft Company.
I too am sorrowed to hear of a fallen brother in arms. My heart and prayers are out to all of you and your families. When i served with the craft all we had to worry about was how many boats we had to have up for a capex that week, now you are all at the front keeping those rivers clear. God bless every one of you, and may he bring all of you home safe. Not a day goes by when i dont think of the times we had.
"Fair Winds and Following Seas"
Sgt. Charles Crowe SCCO 95-01
Posted by: Charles Crowe at December 14, 2005 01:36 PM
I too am sorrowed by the loss of a fellow service member. my heart and prayers go out to all those that served with LCPL Parrello as well as his family. I served with some of the greatest Marines at Small Craft Company and will always hold a special place in my heart for all past, present and future SCCO Marines. I am currently serving in the Army Stationed with the 30th Medical Brigde in Heidelberg, Germany in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Damn proud to do so. Semper Fi!
SGT Vance D. Moore SCCO 96-99
Posted by: SGT Vance D. Moore at December 27, 2005 12:45 PM
I am sorry to hear that the brotherhood has lost one of our own. My prayers go to LCPL Parello's family and evryone who knew him. Fair well and following sea's my brother. I am currently in Al Hillah with Blackwater carring on the mission under another hat. My support is here for all our brothers new and old.
Posted by: Timothy Knowles SCCO 96-00 at January 28, 2006 11:06 AM
From a plank owner coxswain from the orignial platoon, 2nd Small Craft Co, HQ Btn. 2nd Mar Div 1993, I offer my regret for the loss of our brother. I wish I could have been there.
Posted by: Mark Griffin at February 24, 2006 08:47 AM