My walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Marine Capt. Brent L. Morel, Age 27 of Martin, TN.
KIA April 7, 2004 in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom
He was assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA.
He joined the Marine Reserves and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1999 with a degree in history. Brent became a commissioned officer in the Marines the next week and one week later was married.
After he fell mortally wounded in the action that earned him the Navy Cross, Sergeant Willie Copeland shielded his body with his own. Copeland later said of Captain Morel, “My last memories of him will always be as a Marine who led a team to fight in the direction of the bullets. That was the type of Marine Morel was – he led from the front.”
four members of Captain Morel’s company received Silver Stars. It is a record unmatched by any Marine Corps Company, much less by any platoon, in the Global War on Terrorism.
Had an amazing walk today. It was so refreshing and even when it started snowing. I want to thank everyone who honked and waved in helping me honor this hero.
He will not be forgotten.
