Remembering on Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, we remember Sgt. Mark P. Adams who gave his life for our freedom...MY freedom.

Mark, who was Mike's younger brother, had already served 4 years in the Marines and then began college. While in college, Mark assisted as a wrestling coach at his high school but still felt called to re-enlist into the Marines. You see, because of his division's rotation, Mark had not yet had the opportunity to fight in the war and wanted to go back in the Marines to fight for the cause. So, reluctantly, we said good-bye to him in September 2005.

Mark was attached with to the 2nd Marine Division. Shortly after being in Iraq, he was promoted to platoon leader. Mark's leadership with his men was evident. His men respected him because he respected them.

On October 15, 2005, while on patrol, Mark's humvee was struck by a roadside bomb. Mark had just relieved one of his Marines and was sitting in the gun turret which is the only exposed position on the humvee. He was the only one injured.

It is unusual for a platoon leader, with 30 Marines under him to take the position in the gun turret. But before Mark left for Iraq, he had told us that he would never ask his men to do something that he was not willing to do himself.

We continue to honor Mark. We think of him often. We remember his legacy. We miss him.