In the bloodiest Aprils of the war on Terrorism--A month that has seen a continued resurgence of deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq--this hero's story told by one of his teachers touched me deeply. Honestly, they all do....
Marine Cpl. Willie P. Celestine Jr., 21, of Lafayette, La., died April 26 while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"Teacher On Marine’s Death: ‘We’re all hurting right now.’"
Cpl. Willie Celestine had a special talent for winning people over, despite an at-times mischievous nature. That's why the death of the Marine in Iraq this week is especially hard on his family and friends in Lafayette.
"The hurt may last for a long time," said his mother, Trutie Celestine, "but our memories of Willie will last forever."
That's true, not only for the family, but for many faculty members and friends who knew Celestine at Acadiana High School.
"I didn't teach Willie, and that makes it even more remarkable that I would remember Willie so clearly," English teacher Wanda Berthelot said Friday. "He was so gregarious that many of us knew him, liked him and talked to him.
"I remember him visiting the school in uniform before he shipped out. I know he's missed by his family, but we miss kids like that, too. We're all hurting right now."
Celestine, 22, had just returned for a second tour of duty in Iraq, a return that promised more danger.
"The last time I spoke to him was Saturday," Trutie Celestine said. "He knew how dangerous it was, not like the first time. They were at risk every time they walked out. He said 'They're trying to kill us all.'
"Willie didn't tell me, but he felt he might not make it home. He told his wife and friends 'If I don't make it' - something I'm just finding out today, and it hurts."
According to his mother, Celestine and his unit were returning to Fallujah from a four-day mission when their Humvee was struck by a missile.
Trutie Celestine added that her son died of head injuries, leaving behind his wife, Aporil, and 2-year-old daughter, Nevaeh - Heaven spelled backward.
"He left college to join the Marines to take care of his family," his mom said. "He was always trying to protect people. In my opinion, it's a senseless war, but he died doing what he wanted to do."
Funeral arrangements for Celestine are uncertain, adding to the grieving family's pain.
"They told me it would take a week to get his body back in town," Trutie Celestine said. "His platoon still has his body. I'm told that's how long it generally takes in this war. I was hoping he could be returned sooner, because I can't make any arrangements until I have my child's body."
Trutie Celestine took her son to the Houston airport "the day Hurricane Katrina hit" in 2005 for his initial tour in harm's way, which lasted nine months. Willie Celestine headed back to Iraq three weeks ago, and had been there for two weeks when he was killed.
"I didn't think he would go again this soon," said Trutie Celestine, who painted a picture of her youngest child as an athletic young man with a winning personality.
"Whatever he gave in life," she said, "he gave 100 percent. He started playing baseball at 5 years old, and people said he was one of the best they'd ever seen. He plays the game like he knows it. He plays to win.
"He made up his mind to play football at Acadiana High in the 11th grade, weighing 110-120 pounds, and made the team. He broke his ankle chasing (St. Martinville's) Early Doucet. He also played basketball.
"Willie was special. He was the kind of child that makes you laugh, and he didn't stop until you loved him."
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