January 4, 2006

Cpl Corniel: Another American Hero

Thunder 6 tells us the tale of a Marine that joined his beloved Infantry in September, only to fall in battle within days of leaving the country. He writes:

“New Year’s Eve is a time of both reflection and renewal, a time where a giddy sense of opportunity and hope seep into even the most hardened heart. But there was no joy in Killer Company this New Years Eve… because on New Years Eve we lost a cherished brother. CPL Marcelino “Ronnie” Corniel was a warrior prince. He cut his teeth in the United States Marine Corps, then after a short return to the civilian world he joined the ‘Hard Guard” as he affectionately called it. Shortly after his enlistment he was once again on point for his country.”


Cpl Corniel was killed in battle by a mortar attack on his OP; his life lived fully, for to squander one’s life waiting for tomorrow is to waste one’s life. His friends spoke eloquently about his abilities as his fellow soldiers gathered on a barren patch of concrete turning it into a cathedral in honor to a great man. I never knew Cpl Corniel, but I know the man that becomes a hero for I have met them many times in my life and I continue to meet them through the writings of Thunder 6 and others. Cpl Corniel was an American Fighting Man a Soldier and a Marine, he should be honored for his service and we should all strive to be as selfless as he.

Thunder 6 begins his essay with this quote by George Fabricius: Death comes to all. But great achievements build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold. Cpl Corniel built a monument to his heroism with his actions, his fellow soldiers will continue to maintain that monument and we who have met him will now also be able to take our place in the line of those who should help maintain those monuments.

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