Battalion honors fallen heroes with wall memorial

I Marine Expeditionary Force
Courtesy Story

Date: 09.16.2006
Posted: 09.20.2006 16:04
News ID: 7795
Battalion honors fallen heroes with wall memorial

by Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis
Regimental Combat Team 5

CAMP HABBANIYAH, Iraq (Sept. 16, 2006) -- Marines of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment created an indoor wall memorial for their fallen heroes here.

"The wall is appropriate," said Staff Sgt. Frank Lipcsak, a 35-year-old platoon sergeant from New Orleans assigned to L Company. "I think it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices those Marines made for the other Marines here."

A handful of Marines painted, drilled and hammered the wall for three days in addition to fulfilling their everyday work schedules.

The wall's decoration was inspired from the Purple Heart – an award given to servicemembers who were wounded or killed during combat operations.

It reads "Fallen Heroes" across the top on an arched ribbon in eggplant, eggshell white, marigold, burgundy, olive and lavender paint with bold black outlines under a thin gloss coating.

The wall is also adorned with framed pictures and hanging identification tags of their fallen comrades.

Many were pleased when their fellow Marines finished after three days of painting and drilling.

"It was good that those Marines were honored, remembered," said 2nd Lt. William F. Heinzelmann, Combined Anti-Armor Team Platoon commander.

The 26-year-old infantry officer from Allentown, Pa., said he liked the results but was more appreciative of the Marines' selflessness.

"I was thankful to those Marines for their sacrifice," he said.

Heinzelmann's Marines agreed.

"I felt privileged to know that I served with them," said Sgt. Mark S. Barnes, a 25-year-old tow gunner from Paulding, Ohio, assigned to CAAT Platoon. "They gave the ultimate sacrifice."