|
Lance Cpl. Taylor
B. Prazynski
Lance Cpl. Taylor B. Prazynski,
20, of Fairfield, Ohio died May 9. Prazynski died from an explosion while
conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Karmah, Iraq.
Marines. Prazynski was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment,
2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"Taylor always said he was where he was supposed to be," said his father, John Prazynski, "doing what he was supposed to be doing." Taylor didn't know he'd die a marine. He didn't even know he'd live to be a marine. His overt infatuation with the military came and went over the years, his parents say, but by his senior year at Fairfield High he'd decided to enlist. He and two of his best friends, Troy Riggs and Sean Barr, enlisted together. Taylor's mother was the last to know. "He worked with me at the Best Western in Springdale, and for a week everyone there knew he'd signed up except for me," said Claudia Focke-Curati. "He didn't want to upset me, but I wasn't surprised. I knew he was heading that way." After going through boot camp together in Parris Island, S.C., Taylor and Riggs were baptized at Vineyard Community Church in Springdale. That brings great comfort to his family. "We know Taylor's in heaven," John Prazynski said. Following a peace-keeping stint in Haiti, Taylor and his battalion were deployed from Camp Lejeune, N.C. to Iraq in January. They were sent to Fallujah, the heart of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While overseas, Taylor kept in touch with his family.
|
Marine Saluting Courtesy
Sgt Michal S. Williams
"He called every week," said Taylor's stepmother, Carol Prazynski. "We laughed that we heard from Taylor more when he was (in Iraq) than when he was in Camp Lejeune - and he had a cell phone at Camp Lejeune." During a call in April, John Prazynski could tell his son was growing up. Taylor started talking about his plans for the future, including his desire to buy a truck, find an apartment and start college. "He wanted to be a teacher," John Prazynski said. Taylor called home for the last time on Friday, May 6. He told everyone not to be shocked if they didn't hear from him for a while. His battalion was about to enter a combat zone.
|
|
