Pendleton News
2/5 Marine died 'taking fight to enemy'
Lance Cpl. Graham Paulsgrove
COMBAT OUTPOST, Iraq - When Pfc Shane Folmar was killed in Iraq, he wasn't retreating. On the contrary, he was pushing the combat tempo.
That's a fitting snapshot of a Marine whose cohorts say was always faithful and striving for his best performance, on the battlefield or anywhere else.
"When he died, this Marine was taking the fight to the enemy," said Cpl. Bradley Widener, 25, of Abingdon, Va. a squad leader with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. "He would never let up, he would never quit - he was a true, spirited warrior.
The battalion's Marines and sailors gathered Sept. 28 at this desert military camp to pay final respects to their fallen comrade, a rifleman with Co. F.
During a patrol through downtown Ar Ramadi Sept. 24, Folmar was fatally wounded by enemy fire during an engagement with insurgents.
"We come here to seek closure and try to understand why a friend, a fellow human being has been lost," said Lt. Col. Randy Newman, 2/5's commanding officer, 41, from Economy, Ind. "We try to understand and respect the fact that he was dedicated to his duties, executed them as a Marine flawlessly and paid the ultimate sacrifice because he understood his call to duty here in Iraq."
Folmar, 21, of Sonora, Texas, was known through his platoon for his sense of humor, work ethic and determination to improve himself.
"Shane was a good friend with a great personality," said Lance Cpl. Jose Osornia, a rifleman with Co. F. "He would never complain, and he could always make you laugh. His platoon and company will miss him."
While Folmar's peers recalled the man, his commander remembers the Marine.
"He never complained, he never fell out, and he never quit," said 2nd Lt. Robert Jones, a platoon commander with Co. F. "He never wanted to let anyone down. That was the type of Marine he was."
Widener said Folmar was a model of combat proficiency.
"We will continue the best we can, but it will be hard to fill his place," he said. "He will be deeply missed by me, his squad and platoon."
Although he is gone, Folmar will live in the hearts and minds of his brothers-in-arms.
"I am sure he is watching over us now, protecting us. He is gone but not forgotten," said Rapisarda, Co. F commander. "Semper Fi, Shane Folmar."
