MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines from 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, along with family and friends, gathered for the memorial of two Marines at the Protestant Chapel here Nov. 16.
Cpl. Julian Woodall and Cpl. Benjamin Desilets lost their lives May 22, 2007, while serving with Battery L, 2nd Bn., 10th Marines, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
The service began with the Battalion Chaplain, Lt. Mike McConville, delivering the invocation. Marines then took turns at the podium and spoke about their memories of Woodall and Desilets.
“Ben was First Platoon’s laugh,” said 1st Lt. Jody Cooley, fire direction officer, Battery L. “Ben had a contagious laugh, a high pitched laugh. I couldn’t help but laugh along when I was around him. On May 22, First Platoon lost our laugh.”
Cooley also spoke about Woodall and his uncanny knowledge of the Marine Corps’ arsenal.
“Julian was First Platoon’s answer guy,” Cooley said. “If I ever had a question about a weapon’s capabilities, he was the first and usually the last person I had to ask.”
Lance Cpl. Jake Munson, fire direction controlman, Battery L, addressed the crowd after Cooley spoke. Munson was in the vehicle with Woodall and Desilets when it was hit by an improvised explosive device.
“The last time I spoke for these two was in Iraq,” Munson said. “I was so full of guilt, anger, grief and frustration that I could hardly control myself. That is not what they would have wanted. They would want to be remembered for all the love and friendship they brought to this world.”
Munson ended the remembrance of Woodall and Desilets with a farewell.
“To Corporal Desilets and Corporal Woodall, I will say one last goodbye to you my brothers,” Munson said. “May you forever rest in peace. I love both of you and will never forget what you’ve done for me. Goodbye friends.”