9/11 We Remember Photo of Marines in Iraq

9/11 We Remember ~ Photo of Marines in Iraq
September 11, 2003: An Infantry Unit in Iraq commemorating fallen comrades

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This photo was sent to us on Sunday, September 14, 2003. The following text is a copy and cut of an email received by a 1st Sgt with Baker Company currently stationed in Iraq:

Still in Iraq and thinking about our country
Be sure to notice the 9-11 and how it's put together......
How are you all doing? The proud warriors of Baker Company wanted to do something to pay tribute to our fallen comrades. So since we are part of the only Infantry Battalion left in Iraq the one way that we could think of doing that is by taking a picture of Baker Company saying the way we feel. It would be awesome if you could find a way to share this with our fellow countrymen. I was wondering if there was any way to get this into your papers to let the world know that "WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN" and are proud to serve our country.
Semper Fi
1stSgt Dave Jobe "Baker 8"

The Article:

Fort Mill Marine dispatches 9/11 tribute from Iraq

By Andrew Dys The Herald
(Published September 13‚ 2003)

FORT MILL -- Helmets atop rifles honored the day so many died. Four U.S. Marines in Iraq held Old Glory a few feet off the desert sand. Dozens of others stood around them, spelling out a special message.

The unit assembled Tuesday in a formation of husbands and sons and helmets and weapons that spelled out, "9-11:We Remember."

John Schoenmaker knows his Marine son could be under attack at any time in Najaf, Iraq. He knows soldiers die in wars. Now he knows that 1st Lt. Andrew Schoenmaker and about 150 of his fellow Marines on the other side of the world remembered this week how important the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was, and why the soldiers are there in the first place.

"He has no idea when he is coming home," John Schoenmaker said. "But he is a die-hard, devoted Marine."

Andrew Schoenmaker, 25, is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and an executive officer of Baker Company, with the 7th Marines, 1st Battalion.

Lt. Schoenmaker and his commanding officer bandied about the idea for a picture to send home to the United States signifying that the unit is still in Iraq, but the pose ended up honoring the Sept. 11, 2001, victims.

"It is in remembrance of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, and the reason that no matter how long we are here, we will continue to push and never forget why we serve," Andrew wrote in an e-mail to his father.

"They have been in firefights, and were in the march toward Baghdad," John Schoenmaker said. "He doesn't tell us much, but what he does say is that he and the other guys remember. Now, everybody knows, too."

Contact Andrew Dys at 329-4065 or adys@heraldonline.com.