Marine Lance Cpl. Ronald D. Freeman, 25, of Plant City, Fla.
LCpl Freeman was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died April 28, 2011 in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.
Bay area family mourns fallen Marine
Josh Cascio
FOX 13 News
PLANT CITY - Lance Corporal Ronald Freeman was on his first deployment in Afghanistan when he was killed by an explosive device on April 28th.
That date marked his daughter’s first birthday and was less than two weeks after the birth of his son. Sadly, now both will have to grow up without getting to know their daddy.
The 25-year-old Plant City native – who friends called ‘Dougie’ – always strived to be the best at everything he did whether he was playing the role of husband, father or Marine.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am,” said Freeman’s father Brian. “Not just me but my whole family and everyone that ever knew him.”
‘Dougie’ had only been in Afghanistan for three weeks when tragedy struck. He leaves behind a wife and the two kids.
“He loved his kids so much,” Brian Freeman added. “His only thoughts and prayers were for his children, the little son he never got to hold.”
The Marines family is still coming to terms with the loss. Freeman was a good father, a hard worker and a proud member of the United State Military. When he first thought about joining the armed services a few years ago, Freeman wasn’t in the best of shape.
He dropped 100 pounds before being accepted. That’s the kind of determination ‘Dougie,’ possessed says his Uncle Bobby.
“Very well mannered kid, very determined to do what he needed to do to get it done,” he said. “It [losing him] is an emotional rollercoaster, up and down, it’s rough.”
It’s been especially tough on Brian.
“This war is no good. We need to get out,” Brian Freeman said of the military effort overseas. “See what it’s hurting? See what we are losing…..see what I lost?’
Freeman lost a son, a friend and a big pair of arms to hold and protect his grandkids.
“He’s my hero, he’s everyone’s hero,” said Freeman. “He’s going to be missed, that is for sure. He’s going to be missed.”
Marine Lance Cpl. Ronald D. Freeman was killed in action on 4/28/11.
No comments:
Post a Comment