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In Memoriam
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Cpl. Bryan Richardson
(reprinted from
TheReminder.com, March 25, 2005) ASSOCIATED PRESS
March 25, 2005
Capt. John A. Kasparian wrote the following letter:
Dear 3/25 Families:
3d Battalion, 25th Marines sadly mourns the loss of Corporal Bryan J. Richardson who,
while serving in Al-Anbar province on March 25, 2005, was killed instantly when the
vehicle he was riding in struck a mine.
He bravely served in Company K, 3/25 as the company radio operator. His accomplishments as
a young Marine gained admiration throughout, especially with those Marines who served with
him. As the company radio operator, he became well known for his positive nature. Corporal
Richardson always gave it his best effort knowing that his skill and others around him
could overcome any obstacle Company K faced. Their success in combat had a lot to do with
this young Corporal.
Major Christopher J. Douglas, his Company Commander, reflected that Corporal Richardson
was "a professional, dedicated warrior who had a tremendous contribution to the
Marines and Sailors of Company K. He will be missed by all." The other Marines in the
Up-Armored Highly Mobile MultiWheeled Vehicle (HMMWV pronounced Hum-vee) sustained minor
injuries. They look back on their friend missing his abilities and most of all, his
personality.
Corporal Richardson leaves his mother Betty J. Richardson and father Randy Richardson from
West Virginia. We will all miss Bryan and pray for his family. All those who continue to
serve with 3/25 here in Iraq hope, in a small way, to measure up to his example.
Capt John A. Kasparian
3rd Battalion, 25th Marines
The battalion chaplain, Lt. Richard E. Malmstrom delivered the following speech during the
memorial:
We gather here on this day to honor our fallen brother, Cpl. Bryan Richardson. He gave his
life for his country. He gave his life fighting for a free Iraq. It is fitting that the
first Fallen Angel of 3/25 happened on March 25 (3/25). It is also rather fitting that he
died on Good Friday. On Good Friday the Christian church celebrates that Jesus of Nazareth
died on the cross to pay the penalty for all our sins. Now, all who put their faith in Him
have eternal life because of His atoning sacrifice. Cpl. Richardson shared in that faith.
Just as Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, Cpl. Richardson will rise again on the
last day when Christ makes His return. Like all those who have gone before him in the
faith Cpl. Richardson fully enjoys the eternal life we can but imagine. The prophet Job
reminds us: "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon
the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints
within me!" (Job 19:25-27)
The death of one of our brothers is never easy. Even Jesus, moments before He resurrected
Lazarus, wept. But as hard as it is, we take comfort that we will see Cpl. Bryan
Richardson again. When we go to heaven because of our faith we will see him again. When we
too receive resurrected bodies we will see him in the flesh.
It was fitting for this Marine of the 3rd Battalion 25th Marines to die on 3/25. It was
also fitting for this Christian to die on Good Friday. God speed Cpl. Richardson, we look
forward to seeing you again. Amen.
Lt. Richard E. Malmstrom, CHC, USNR
3/25 Battalion Chaplain
Al Anbar Province, Iraq
The battalion commander, Lt. Col. Lionel B. Urquhart delivered the following speech:
Marines, Sailors and Soldiers,
We stand together this afternoon to honor the memory of a fallen comrade, Corporal Bryan
Richardson, United States Marine Corps.
Corporal Richardson died on the night of March 25th while participating in a security
patrol [in the Al-Anbar Province of Iraq]. The up-armored humvee [High Mobile
Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)], in which Corporal Richardson was riding hit a double
stacked mine killing him and injuring three other Marines.
Corporal Richardson was known as a true team player. He was a man confident of his
abilities; a man who lead by example; and a man who put the needs of others before his
own. In my conversations with the men who knew Corporal Richardson the best, you, the
Marines of Kilo Company, Third Battalion, 25th Marines, I heard words like: loyal,
dependable, dedicated, courageous, and most of all...selfless.
In The Bible it is written, Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his
friend. [Paraphrased from 1John3: 16] Many of you had the privilege of calling Corporal
Bryan Richardson, friend. Cherish that privilege.
In this day and age, Corporal Richardson was a rare person. He was a man who demonstrated
by his actions that he understood as John Stuart Mills stated:
War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of
moral and patriotic feeling, which thinks nothing is worth a war, is worse. A man who has
nothing for which he is willing to fight; nothing he cares more about than he does about
his personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free, unless made
and kept so by the exertions of men better than himself.
Corporal Bryan Richardson was such a man.
Marines, Sailors and Soldiers: Let us remember that the truest way to honor a fallen
warrior is to accomplish the mission. Continue to protect the innocent and eliminate the
terrorists. By doing this, you will truly honor the memory of Corporal Bryan Richardson.
You are in God's hands now, Corporal Richardson. Farewell and Simper Fidelis, Marine.
Lieutenant Colonel Lionel B. Urquhart
Commanding Officer
3d Battalion, 25th Marines
Memorial Invocation and Prayer
We gather here today to honor our fallen brother in arms. As Americans, we embrace the
freedom which allows us to practice many religions. I, as a Christian chaplain find
comfort and peace our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Cpl Richardson shared in this faith. If
you do not share in this faith, please bear with us as we look for comfort in these trying
times.
Let us pray ... In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Almighty God, we look to you for all that we need to support this body and life. We also
look to you alone for all that we need for our eternal life. Bless us this day as we
gather to honor our fallen brother. Comfort us with the promise of everlasting life for
all who believe. Comfort us with the promise of the resurrection. As Jesus was raised from
the dead on the third day, we look forward to the day when we will share in the
resurrection. Amen.