HERO'S CALL

It is with deepest regrets that one Marine that was featured on OMV, Lance Corporal Koprince, was killed in Iraq On Dec 27th. His story can be read at the link at the bottom of this post. Many of his friends, family and other people who know him, tread this blog. Please do not hesitate to leave them your comments.  You are not forgotten warrior. Semper Fidelis and God Bless you and your family.

DoD Identifies Marine Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Cpl. Joshua M. Schmitz, 21, of Spencer, Wis.

Lance Cpl. William C. Koprince Jr., 24, of Lenoir City, Tenn.

Schmitz died December 26 and Koprince on December 27 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.  Both Marines were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

http://www.onemarinesview.com/one_marines_view/2006/10/marines_make_ir.html

Comments

[brat]

God bless them both.....and their families. Cpl. Joshua M. Schmitz, and Lance Cpl. William C. Koprince Jr. and all who love them are in my prayers..with gratitude and love.

We will never forget. Rest easy....rest easy heroes.^j^

[Karen I.]

Our country owes a great debt of gratitude to these heros that we will never be able to repay. My prayers go out to their friends and family for some peace and comfort in the days to come.My mind is hugging all of you.

[Mo]

These brave Marines and their families are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Fallen' Angel]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of these outstanding Marines. There are no words to convey the gratitude that we owe our defenders and their loved ones.
In my heart, I know that God is welcoming these warriors home, as they join their brothers guarding Heaven's streets.

[Leta]

There are no words to ever express my feelings at news such as this. May God truly bless these men and comfort their families. This nation is forever blessed and this world a better place for their service and sacrifice.

May their families and friends find comfort in knowing that we owe them more than we can give.

Deepest sympathy for the great loss of our two heros. They are in my prayers tonight, as are their families and friends.

[gar]

Gone perhaps, but never forgotten. Those who give their lives to wage the war on those who hate us, will always be remembered as Heroes.
GS
USN 67-71

[Bridget]

Condolences to you and your families, and all who knew each of them and called him Son, Friend, Brother,Family.

Enjoy the memories you have, share them, and they will never truly be gone.

Keeping you in my prayers and wishing you strength and peace.

[Sgt Taylor B's Mom]

To the families, please take comfort in knowing these men will not be forgotten, for they have left a legacy of loving their country and fellow man enough to give the ultimate sacrifice. Our hearts are heavy with sorrow, and you are in our thoughts and prayers.

[PastorEd]

My thoughts and prayers go out to this Hero's family, friends, and fellow Marines who served beside him!

[jenny]

The loss of a great man is felt even by those who never met him. My condolences and deepest gratitude go to the loved ones of these great men; you are in my prayers as well.

[Clayton]

Makes it worse when you know them. I just want this war to end.

[Cheryl]

My condolences to the families of Cpl Schmitz and L/Cpl Koprince. Your loss is felt by us all as your loved one was a child of our great country. We mourn with you. May your memories and knowledge they served a cause they believed in help you through this sad time. God bless you.

[Don]

They will never be forgotten.

God Bless both of these fine examples of "America's Finest".

Semper Fidelis.

LCpl B's dad

[GunnNutt]

The strength and goodness of their service will never be forgotten. These Marines made a difference in the lives of many grateful Iraqis and even more grateful Americans.

Semper Gratus! for our brave warriors.

[Donna, Los Osos, CA]

We will always honor Cpl. Joshua M. Schmitz, and Lance Cpl. William C. Koprince Jr. God bless them and their families. We owe them so much.

[AFSister]

gahhhhh dammit
So many losses.... it's just so sad. He was *SO* proud of what they were accomplishing in his sector. I hope his family takes comfort in that, and that they know he died for a noble cause.

So many people have said that our soldiers aren't over there fighting for us, the American citizens... and they couldn't be more wrong. EVERY man and woman in uniform in the Middle East is fighting to preserve the freedoms we enjoy back home, making sure taht a 9/11 type of attack never happens here again. They're helping to spread the same freedoms and democracy we enjoy to the Middle East. They freed a nation from the grip of an evil, EVIL man (who should be executed within hours, I have heard). They have gotten rid of the Taliban in most regions of Afghanistan. They have destroyed insurgent hideouts, and yet rebuilt the infrastructure, schools, hospitals, electric and water plants throughout the country.

*sigh*
We are so proud of all of you... and yes, we want you home- but not until Iraq can stand on its own. If we're pulled out too early, the insurgents will take over and turn Iraq into another Saddam-era dictatorship, rampant with torture and abuse, and it will negate the injuries and deaths our military has suffered.

Regardless of the outcome, we will never forget the sacrifices made by those who fight- especially those who gave all.

[texasdillo]

Ditto AFSister. You said what was on my mind. My heart goes out to the families of these fine young men. I had to swing by here to bolster my faith in what we are doing. Recent events and the high cost in lives is really hammering my soul. Thank God for the milblogs and the people behind them. I don't look at MSM anymore. I just get mad.

[Rafi]

God Bless you, Rest in Peace, Cpl. Joshua M. Schmitz, and Lance Cpl. William C. Koprince Jr. - Heros.
May the Saviour keep your families comforted in the many ways only he knows how.
Thank you, so, so very much Cpl.Joshua M. Schmitz and Lance cpl. William C. Koprince Jnr. for your ultimate sacrfice and exemplary service even before this tragedy.
It is anguishing and frightening to hear such examples of the finest of humans lost to the world before their lives have passed through three score years and ten, time after time, whilst the idiot civilian cowards like me continue to live free and benefit from their defense of my Liberty.

Thankyou many times again.

[Grace an Family]

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. USA is the greatest country in the world only because of men like your sons. Our nation mourns with you and are forever in your debt.

Thank you for my freedom and the freedom of oppressed people around the world.

Grace and family
NJ

[Sheila]

Bless this man and his family. He gave everything for his country.

Semper fidelis!

[jim b]

Well done good and faithful serveants ... Enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

God please grant their families repose, and healing.

[Karla (Threadbndr)]

As the mom of another 2nd MarDiv Marine, my heat goes out to the families.

You are in my prayers, always.

[Marine Sis]

This brought tears to my eyes as I remember reading this post back a few months ago. This breaks my heart and I wish I could better convey my sympathy to the family and friends of these two Heroes. God bless them, they are in a better place and you will be reunited one day. May God bless all the family and friends, you are in my prayers and I know God will help you through this incredible loss. To the fellow Marines these guys served with,we love you and support you and these men will never be forgotten. A salute to Cpl Schmitz,a hero. And a salute to Lcpl. Koprince---a Tn. hero from a fellow Tennessean. SEMPER FI...

[big bro jim i]

I KNOW BETTER THAN MOST HOW IT IS TO MISS A K.I.A. BUT TO PUT YOUR MIND AT EASE,THESE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN VOLUNTEERED TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY KNOWING OF THE PERILS OF THEIR JOBS. ITS THOSE SNEAKY BASTARDS THAT SET OFF ROAD SIDE BOMBS BY CELL PHONE THAT WONT GO FACE TO FACE WITH OUR TROOPS.THEY NEED A TOWEL AROUND THEIR FACES.
I ALWAYS FEEL SAD WHEN ONE OF OUR OWN GOES DOWN,BUT WE ALL KNOW THEY WENT DOWN DOING THEIR JOBS.
OOOH RAAAH

[iris]

I hope a lot of These sht American Soldiers die In Iraq!!!!American Soldiers Rape little girls and women in Iraq!!!They kill Women and kids every day(Look at all these massacres)!!!!!!! And in Abu Ghuraib the American jailers raped a Iraqi woman with four men !!!!!!

Shit Americans!!!!!!! Mother*****!!!!!! (edited)

USA IS A NAZI NATION !!!!!!!!And I hope Ivan Frederick and Charles Graner die in Jail !!
cindy-weller@web.de

[iris]

DEAD FOR USA !!! FREEDOM FOR THE WORLD !!!!

AMERICAN SOLDIERS ARE BLOODY KILLERS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN !!! LOOK AT HADITHA (THE BIG MASSACRE);LOOK AT ABU GHURAIB !!!! WHAT A SHAME !!!

AMERICAN SOLDIERS RAPE LITTLE GIRLS AND WOMEN EVERY DAY !!!IN ABU GHURAIB IS A IRAQI WOMAN RAPED BY FOUR AMERICAN JAILERS !!!!!WHAT A SHAME !!!!!!

USA LOST THEIR FACE !!! EUROPE HATE THE AMERICANS !!!AND THE WORLD TOO !!!

AND LOOK AT THE LITTLE DEAD IRAQI GIRL___RAPED AND KILLED BY FOUR AMERICAN SOLDIERS !!!!!

PFUIIIIIII !!!!!!!

I HOPE A LOT OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS DIE IN IRAQ

[Laura, Marine mom from Ohio]

My condolences are with the families of our fallen angels. May they rest in peace--they are true heroes.
iris: not a good time for your foolishness, you should be ashamed of yourself. God is watching you!

[Marine Sis]

Hey Iris the flower child,
If you don't like this site..go someplace else! If you don't like our country....move to France! If you don't like our troops...then go someplace where they aren't protecting your right to say stupid crap and act like a you-know-what! If you don't like my comment...suck it up!
P.S. Much apologies for using your terrific site for such petty nonesense Major B. but this one just crossed the line and was asking for a comeback. Semper Fi. God bless America and God Bless our Troops!!!

[suz]

To the families and friends of Cpl. Joshua M. Schmitz, and Lance Cpl. William C. Koprince Jr. I send my most heartfelt sympathies, I am deeply sorry for your great loss. May you find some comfort in the knowledge that we will not forget these brave hero's who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great country. Thanks also to these families for your sacrifices.
May peace be held in your hearts and minds...
God bless all of you~

suzanne from MN

[Morgan]

I know that Iris may never read this page again but I want Iris to know that you may have whatever opinions that you want but do not put them on this page that is here to honor my brother and the Cpl. Schmitz. My brother died so that you could have free speech so just remember that when you are burning your American Flag and not being arrested for it, who gave you that right. I have only one question for you have you ever served a day in the military? If not you are just showing what a coward you are. You sit in your warm house, eatting a warm meal, doing whatever the crap you want to do while young men and women like my brother fight so that you can show how dumb you are. You have a right to look however stupid you want but don't do it here but your arrogant comments some where else. Have you ever heard of respect? Probably not. I wish you could spend one day with the men and women you took 5 minutes to disgrace. I know what kind of man my brother was and it wasn't anything you just described. My brother was a wonderful man who would never hurt a child in fact he gave them gum that my mom sent to him in packages and he handed out soccer balls and so many other wonderful things. My brother wanted to have children but because he was defending you he will never have the chance of see his beautiful bride walk down the aisle or be a uncle to my children. He will never have the chance to be a wonderful father. I wish you would take the time to look at what you write and think before you open your mouth. All I ask is that you respect my brother Cpl. Schmitz and our families. The article written on this website is one of the last tangible things we have of my brother and we received just weeks before he died. I would like to thank the author of that article. My brother commented on it. He said in one of his last e-mails here is an article I am quoted in not much but here it is. It was a lot for my brother since he was a man of few words. Thank you for all the time you put in with the guys. It is nice to read articles from the front line. To the other posts thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. We have had so much outpouring during a very awful time in our life. We would never be able to get through this time without our faith in God. Again thank you from a grateful family. He will always be remembered and loved. He is my own special hero not for what he did for a our nation but just because he was my only sibling and my big brother. Lcpl. William "Billy" Koprince Jr.'s sister Morgan

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