Cesar O. Baez, 37

There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of him. He was a great corpsman that was dedicated to his job and family. Rest in Peace my friend.

Doc was an amazing man, father, husband, warrior, and friend. I was with him in Iraq as a Corporal in the Marine Corps up till the end and he left such an impact on my life which I am grateful for. All the stories he told about his life experiences, the humor he brought to our platoon, as well as many other great moments with "Bones". God bless his soul. Rest in peace, brother.

I too was a HM2 and just want to say I sorry for your loss. I did not know him personally but my thoughts and prayers are with you and your children. God Bless. HM2(FMF)USN-RET.

Oh Cesar ("Piggy") has it really been four years since you left us? I can remember attending your Marine Corps boot camp graduation in San Diego years ago and I can't help but wonder why we never remained in contact. As kids, we were close and yet in later years we lived very close to each other, but just never hooked up and I am sorry for that.

Rest in peace my cousin my thoughts continue to be with you and your family.

Dino

When I first reported to duty at Camp Pendleton they warned me that you were a former Marine and wouldn't put up with any excuses from a Sailor like me. Whether or not I was a Hospital Corpsman, like you.

After finishing my first assignment, I was so exhausted I slunk back into my barracks room without telling anyone and slept for 30 glorious minutes. When you found out that I had neglected to report back to you immediately, you chewed me out so badly none of my peers would even sit with me. You made me work to earn back my respect.

That proved difficult since your skills as a medic rivaled the high-ranking officers who had formal training and medical degrees. I cursed you when you weren't around and I stared holes on the back of your neck. I vowed to surpass you. You never knew it, but I took your keys, snuck into the clinic at night and studied your medical notes to absorb your writing style: it was flawless, succinct, poignant and relevant to the diagnosis (which was always correct). Even your handwriting and syntax were evenly spaced and formatted to perfection. I hated and admired you at the same time.

All the mixed emotions came rushing back to me after I learned that your were shot point blank in the head. Was it inappropriate of me to briefly admire that even your death was indicative of you: flawless, succinct, and poignant?

Now, years later, I have been accepted to the University of California San Diego and will go on to medical school. You will never know the impact you had on my work ethic and love of medicine. You never sought to be my mentor and I never asked to be your student. But here we are.

When I don my white coat for the first time, I promise I will feel the pangs of regret for not reporting to you immediately to say, 'thank you.'

Realizing it is my choice and my choice alone to be a Reconnaissance Marine, I accept all challenges involved with this profession. Forever shall I strive to maintain the tremendous reputation of those who went before me.

Exceeding beyond the limitations set down by others shall be my goal. Sacrificing personal comforts and dedicating myself to the completion of the reconnaissance mission shall be my life. Physical fitness, mental attitude, and high ethics. The title of Recon Marine is my honor.

Conquering all obstacles, both large and small, I shall never quit. To quit, to surrender, to give up is to fail. To be a Recon Marine is to surpass failure; To overcome, to adapt and to do whatever it takes to complete the mission.

On the battlefield, as in all areas of life, I shall stand tall above the competition.Through professional pride, integrity, and teamwork, I shall be the example for all Marines to emulate.

Never shall I forget the principles
I accepted to become a Recon Marine.
Honor, Perseverance, Spirit and Heart.

A Recon Marine can speak without saying a word and achieve what others can only imagine.

Semper Fi Brother Recon.

Just learned of your passing brother. I will think of you often and the times we shared. "Those who dare to do great things must dare greatly"
My thoughts and prayers to your family

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO LIVE FRRE BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!