Robert M. Kelly

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TALLAHASSEE, FL, U.S.A. U.S. MARINE CORPS 2NDLT,3D BN, 5TH MAR,(RCT-2, I MEF FWD),1ST MAR DIV, CAMP PENDLETON, CA 11/09/2010, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

1stLT Robert M. Kelly is remembered for his excellent sense of humor. He was born in Bethesda, MD on September 5, 1981. He was a graduate of Gar-Field Senior High School in Woodbridge, VA and Florida State University. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in September 2003.

Robert deployed to the middle east in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and 2006. He took part in Special Marine Air Ground Task Force Katrina Hurricane Relief Operations in New Orleans, LA. He completed training in several Marine Corps programs and deployed as a commissioned officer in 2010 to Afghanistan as a 2ndLT.

GEN John Kelly expressed his thoughts for the family on the death of Robert M. Kelly: As I think you all know by now our Robert was killed in action protecting our country, its people, and its values from a terrible and relentless enemy. He went quickly and thank God he did not suffer. In combat that is as good as it gets, and we are thankful. We are a broken hearted – but a proud family. He was a wonderful and precious boy living a meaningful life.

As a father, GEN John Kelly’s (RET)discussed the loss of his son and his empathy for the loss of any woman or man in service to the nation: “But when you lose one (a child) in combat, – in my opinion- there’s a pride that goes with it, that he didn’t have to be there doing what he was doing. “He wanted to be there. He volunteered. Generally speaking, there’s no encouragement in our society today to serve the nation, but many, many, many people do…

John Kelly asked that people “direct the majority of your prayers to his (1stLT Kelly’s) platoon of Marines, still in contact (with the enemy) and in harm’s way, and at greater risk without his steady leadership.”