Alpha Co., 1/23 reflects on fallen brothers
5/22/2011
By
Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith
,
Regimental Combat Team 8
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Nimroz province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Marines and sailors of 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, and Regimental Combat Team 8, paused to remember the lives of Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith and Navy Seaman Benjamin Rast, May 22.
Smith and Rast were killed in action April 6 while conducting a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Smith was 26 and from Arlington, Texas. Rast was 23, and from Niles, Mich.
During the ceremony, many Marines and sailors came forward to talk about the impact the fallen had played in their lives. Smith, a platoon sergeant for 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1/23, was remembered for his love of riding motorcycles, his vast collection of music and his stern scowl and how he could turn it into a smile and light up a room in an instant.
“You always felt safe having him fighting next to you,” said Sgt. Jared Hammonds, a squad leader for 2nd Plt. “No matter what happened, you could rely on him to keep everyone calm and collected.”
“He was a pure patriot; an unapologetic warrior,” said 2nd Lt. Christopher Huff, 2nd Platoon commander. “He wasn’t just a platoon sergeant. He was a mentor, leader and friend. I miss him very much.”
Rast, a hospital corpsman for 2nd Plt., was known for his large build, humor and fearless nature.
“I remember thinking, if any of us were to get injured, he would just heave us onto his shoulders and carry us out; possibly two at a time,” said Lance Cpl. Joshua Gil, a rifleman with 2nd Plt.
“Doc Rast was a guy that could make you laugh no matter the situation,” said Sgt. Apolinar Valdez, a squad leader for 2nd Platoon. He wanted no more than to deploy with a platoon of grunts and serve his country.
“He was always eager to help his Marines to carry gear or ammo…to a point where we had to remind him he was a corpsman,” added Valdez.
Following the ceremony, those in attendance paid their individual respects to the fallen. With a slight rub of the identification tags, a silent prayer or short touch of the helmet each made their way in front of the battlefield memorial to say a final good bye to their fallen brothers.
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Nimroz province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -Rendering honors during the National Anthem, Marines of Company A, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, prepare to assemble the battlefield memorials in honor of Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith and Seaman Benjamin Rast, May 22. Smith and Rast were killed in action April 6 while conducting a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Smith was 26 and from Arlington, Texas. Rast was 23, and from Niles, Mich., Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, 12/31/1979 7:00 PM
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Nimroz province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -Lance Cpl. Justin Blair, a rifleman for Company A, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, places a helmet atop a rifle while preparing a battlefield memorial in honor of Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith and Seaman Benjamin Rast May 22. Smith and Rast were killed in action April 6 while conducting a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Smith was 26 and from Arlington, Texas. Rast was 23, and from Niles, Mich., Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, 12/31/1979 7:03 PM
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Nimroz province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -Lance Cpl. Kamron Greer, a rifleman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, places identification tags on the battlefield memorial in honor of Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith and Seaman Benjamin Rast May 22. Smith and Rast were killed in action April 6 while conducting a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Smith was 26 and from Arlington, Texas. Rast was 23, and from Niles, Mich., Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, 12/31/1979 7:04 PM
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Nimroz province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -Standing in reflection of fallen comrades, Lance Cpl. Brian Turner takes a brief moment to ensure the positioning of a helmet atop a rifle while assembling the battlefield memorial in honor of Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith and Seaman Benjamin Rast. Smith and Rast were killed in action April 6 while conducting a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Smith was 26 and from Arlington, Texas. Rast was 23, and from Niles, Mich., Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, 12/31/1979 7:03 PM
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Nimroz province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -Sergeant Jared Hammonds addresses attendees during a memorial service held in honor of Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith and Seaman Benjamin Rast May 22. Hammonds spoke about memories he shared with Smith before his passing. “You always felt safe having him fighting next to you. No matter what happened, you could rely on him to keep everyone calm and collected.”, Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, 12/31/1979 7:00 PM
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Nimroz province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan-Lt. Col. Todd Zink, commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, addresses the Marines and sailors of Company A, 1/23, Regimental Combat Team 8, during the memorial service held for Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith and Seaman Benjamin Rast May 22. Smith and Rast were killed in action April 6 while conducting a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Smith was 26 and from Arlington, Texas. Rast was 23, and from Niles, Mich., Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, 12/31/1979 7:02 PM
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Nimroz province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan-Sergeant John Perez, an administration clerk for Company A, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, plays taps during a memorial service held in honor of Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith and Seaman Benjamin Rast May 22. Smith and Rast were killed in action April 6 while conducting a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Smith was 26 and from Arlington, Texas. Rast was 23, and from Niles, Mich., Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, 12/31/1979 7:01 PM
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Nimroz province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -Corporal Levi Pope, pauses in a moment of reflection in front of the battlefield memorials for Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith and Seaman Benjamin Rast. Smith and Rast were killed in action April 6 while conducting a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Smith was 26 and from Arlington, Texas. Rast was 23, and from Niles, Mich., Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, 12/31/1979 7:03 PM
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Nimroz province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -With a gentle rub of identification tags, Marines and sailors of Company A, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, pay their final respects to Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith and Seaman Benjamin Rast May 22. Smith and Rast died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province Afghanistan.
, Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, 12/31/1979 7:07 PM
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Nimroz province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -With a gentle rub of identification tags, Marines and sailors of Company A, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, pay their final respects to Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith and Seaman Benjamin Rast May 22. Smith and Rast died while conducting combat operations in Helmand province Afghanistan.
, Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith, 12/31/1979 7:07 PM
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