14 Dead Marines: Is it worth the sacrifice?

Sorrow and Debate

A bloody week in Iraq leaves 14 Ohio Marines dead. And the pro-war town that lost its sons begins to ask: is it worth the sacrifice?

Paul Schroeder and his wife, Rosemary Palmer, spent Wednesday morning in a state of controlled panic. The couple’s 23-year-old son, Augie, was a lance corporal with the Ohio-based Third Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, stationed in western Iraq. Two days earlier, six snipers from his unit had been killed by insurgents, and his parents feared he was among the dead. He wasn’t. But Wednesday morning brought news of yet another major attack:

14 Marines were killed when the amphibious assault vehicle they were riding in was blown up. Once again, Schroeder’s parents were left to wonder if Marines in dress uniform would be waiting at the door…..

Their worst fears were realized a few hours later, when Lt. Col. Kevin Rush, the battalion’s commander, and another Marine walked up to the house. “You’ve had a busy two days, haven’t you?” Paul Schroeder recalls saying grimly. Rosemary couldn’t bear the delay. “Tell us why you’re here,” she insisted, trembling. Rush asked if he could come inside and sit down. They went to the kitchen. “Are you the parents of Lance Cpl. Edward Schroeder?” Rush asked quietly. Both parents nodded. “I regret to inform you that your son, Edward August Schroe-der II, was killed today in Haditha, Iraq.” As the parents held each other, Schroeder says Rush told them that he understood it would be hard for them to comprehend anything he had to say that day. He told them to take time to let the news sink in, and that they would receive another call the following day. The Marines would take care of all the arrangements.