Marines honor two fallen heroes

by Cpl. Ray Lewis

Marines from 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment paused their combat operations to honor two fallen heroes at the chapel during a memorial service here Nov. 3.

Marines of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment honored two of their fallen heroes, Lance Cpl. Eric W. Herzberg and Sgt. Luke J. Zimmerman, at their chapel at Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq ,Nov. 3. Herzberg, a 20-year-old rifleman, and Zimmerman, a 24-year-old rifleman, were killed while conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar Province. Herzberg was from Anne Arundel, Md. Zimmerman was from Kewaunee, Wis. All the Marines serve under Regiment Combat Team 5 and will be conducting operations for the next several months.

Lance Cpl. Eric W. Herzberg, 20, of Anne Arundel, Md., was killed in action while conducting combat operations Oct. 21. Sgt. Luke J. Zimmerman, 24, of Kewaunee, Wis., was also killed in action Oct. 27 while conducting combat operations in the Habbaniyah area. Marines honored both Marines during a memorial service.

"This, then, is the nation for which Lance Cpl. Herzberg and Sgt. Zimmerman nobly fought and nobly died," said Lt. Col. Todd S. Desgrosseilliers, 43, battalion commander, from Auburn, Maine. "These fine men we honor today volunteered to protect what is dear to them."

Both Marines served with the battalion's K Company under Regimental Combat Team 5.

During the ceremony Marines got a chance to honor their brothers. Herzberg's best friend spoke on his behalf.

"Not only was he a great man and a Marine, but he was my brother and best friend," said Lance Cpl. Sebastian C. Ploszaj, a rifleman with K Company. "Me and Herzberg did everything together. From the first day we met going to boot camp, we began a close bond."

Ploszaj said he and Herzberg were split up while training at the School of Infantry, but maintained close contact.

As the 20 year old from Brooklyn, N.Y., spent more time with Herzberg, Ploszaj found there was more to his companion.

"You realized he was very, I mean, very religious," Ploszaj said. "He was a very funny guy even though he didn't try to be funny. He has a little brother and older sister that he loved with all his heart."

Ploszaj and Herzberg even had aspirations of being entrepreneurs.

"We would always talk about family and how we were going to open a 'DJ' business when we got back, and he was so excited and couldn't wait to go home," Ploszaj said. "I still can't believe he's gone. Sometimes I think I'm dreaming and I'll wake up and everything will be okay and the harsh reality sets in and I think to myself, I just got to make it home so I can tell the world about the greatest man that ever lived."

Others also reflected on Herzberg.

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