In Memoriam

(reprinted from WIStv.com, February 23, 2006)

Lexington Marine injured in Iraq dies
(Lexington) February 23, 2006 - Marine 2nd Lt. Almar Fitzgerald, a Lexington native, has died as a result of injuries sustained in a weekend roadside bomb attack in Iraq. The Marine was taken off life support Tuesday.

2nd Lieutenant Almar Fitzgerald was among a group of California-based Marines who were injured in the weekend attack. At least one Marine was killed, and Fitzgerald was taken to a hospital in Germany to receive treatment for his injuries.

Fitzgerald had been in Iraq for about six months before the attack occurred, and he was scheduled to return home in March. He graduated from Lexington High School in 2000 and from the Citadel in 2004.

"When my son heard about it, he said, 'Is that the Almar from Lexington High?' My son remembers him," says Mark Cagle. Cagle's child hasn't seen Almar Fitzgerald since he was six. That was six years ago when Cagle coached the Lexington High student in football. Cagle remembers, "He was the embodiment of what you want out of a student athlete."

At 5'8" Fitzgerald was not a big player, but his former coach says, "He took that as his challenge."

But his heart was huge. Cagle says, "If you were much taller, stronger, faster, he would not give in. He wouldn't give an inch."

Cagle says Fitzgerald was a true competitor, "He was not going to accept anything less than what he was willing to give. He was willing to give it all."

And he did, on the field and on the frontlines. Here at home, his former coach has mixed emotions, feeling so sad, but at the same time so proud, "He was doing what he wanted to do. I know a lot of people who are not happy. They hate where they live, hate where they work, hate their car. And there was happiness, making the world a better place with Almar."

He was a good player and an even better person.

Trish from Columbia e-mailed WIS saying, "I knew him since elementary school, and also grew up playing sports with Almar. I can't remember one time of seeing him without a smile on his face."

Jocelyn Miller lights up when she talks about her friendship with Almar Fitzgerald, "If you heard him laughing you knew it was Almar. He had the biggest smile of anybody I ever met."

She gets teary-eyed when she thinks about his death, "I'm very sad. There's no words to describe it. My best friend is gone."

Alyssa Haladay talked to Fitzgerald's family in Germany after they took him off life support, "I know it's very hard on Roderick, his brother. Almar just lit up everyone's life he came in contact with."

Miller says it was an honor to know Fitzgerald. He was brave, fearless, and proud to serve his country. Miller says, "I know he died doing what he wanted to do. As sad as I am, Almar was very happy and he made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and I will always remember he died with the utmost honor. And I will always love him for that."

Friends of the family are raising funds for the Fitzgeralds. You can make a donation at any branch of the First Palmetto Savings Bank.