Greensboro, NC, US
U.S. Marine Corps
LCPL, WPNS CO, 2D BN, 2D MAR, (RCT-8), 2D MAR DIV, CAMP LEJEUNE, NC
10/20/2005, NASSER WA SALAAM, Iraq
LCPL Andrew David Russoli was born in Hollywood, FL. Since 1988, his city of residence was Greensboro, NC. Andrew graduated from Northwest High School in 2003. He was active in the Drama Club, played lacrosse, was a member of JNROTC, and he was an accomplished trombonist in the Northwest Middle School Jazz Band.
He was an active member of College Park Baptist Church, Greensboro. Andrew was a member of the Youth Fellowship and took on many other roles at church. He played the hand bells at the Pleasant Ridge Christian Church. Andrew also took time to become a trained shelter volunteer for the American Red Cross. His interests throughout his life were many and varied. They included kung fu, sailing, fencing and soccer, as well as being an active member of Young Life.
Strength and honor were the two words that family and friends depended on during the difficult days that followed the death of LCPL Andrew David Russoli, a son, friend and warrior.
LCPL Russoli’s life was celebrated emphasizing his individuality, his lifelong love of all things military, and his devotion to his family and God. Andrew was 21 years young.
“Marines have always been the sharp end of the stick, but Andrew wanted to be on the very tip, the sharpened point,” The Reverend Michael Usey told mourners. “He lived the life he wanted to, and in that, he lived with courage and honor, and the more dangerous, the better. Too many of us drift through life, never choosing to live with courage. Not Andrew. He chose his life and lived it to the hilt.”
On a light note,those gathered for Andrews funeral were reminded by The Rev. Usey of Andrew’s childhood reconnaissance in the back yard and searching for treasure during his pirate-themed birthday party.
Roland Russoli spoke about his son, fighting back his tears of grief, trying to help the crowd saying: “We must honor him by the lives we lead. We must honor him by the people we help. We must honor him by the inspiration we offer to those who lose their way. Our lives must provide a hope to a world that has lost a great hope.”
Roland Russoli asked all gathered to remember the words strength and honor.
“Honor and strength. It was the motto he lived by. It was the motto he died defending. It is a motto that could change the world,” Roland Russoli added. “From this day, strength and honor in all we do.”
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