Marcelino Ronald Corniel, 23

Ron always had us laughing. After a briefing with the SEALs on how to operate on a RHIB, listening to POD's "Alive," he strummed out a parody on his guitar: "I love Jesus Christ...'cause he's such a swell guy!" I'm lucky to have served with him; he is missed.

He was a good friend. Good times with this crazy guy. I still miss him.

Its funny, I didn't know Ronnie that well after I moved out of La Puente, but I could tell he hadn't changed much. We went to Edgewood together we were captains of the 'Knowledge Bowl' and I enjoyed being by his side. Even at 12 he was a special guy who stood out from the rest, maybe it was all he had gone through in his short life, maybe it was the way his mother and grandmother raised him. All I know is that Im sorry for this family's loss and am honored to have known Ronnie when I did.

It happened at the "Y" on redwings , sector 47 that evening. We all thought the deployment was done, starting to feel relieved, then you died. I have lived with your loss for years. You were a irreplacable human being, a human life, then you left us. You cannot be replaced and a part of my life is dead now, forever void. "Stalker element, out."

I am thankful that I had the oppertunity to know Ronnie and serve with him. I will always remember sitting on the roof of our barracks at Falcon, watching tracers arch through the night sky over Baghdad like some kind of fireworks show and talking about what we were going to do when we got home. To this day I can't believe Ronnie was the one who did not to make it back.

Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice so that the people in America can continue living free. There are alot of people in this country that have no clue, respect or honor for those like you that paid the ultimate price to live the way that we do in America. Living free is not free, it comes at a very high price. You payed that price for the Country you loved. Although I never knew you Ronald, I thank you and honor you. God Bless you, Ronald Weber
PS. Parent of a US Marine

I will always remember Sgt Corniel as an eager person always wanting to get into the mix and as an amazing weapons guru..He came with me as a replacement, as a true volunteer, at a time when the fighting was at its worst. A time when the battalion was covering an immense area of operations with the same number of soldiers, day in and day out.. I remember that fateful day, when I felt powerless, helpless, and full of rage, hearing those mortar rounds launch and moments later impact near Sgt Corniel's post. It is a moment in time I will carry forever.. Every Dec 31st, I visit his grave and pay my respects to a fallen brother and to his family for raising such a fine young man.. God Bless You Sgt Corniel and your loving family, You are truely missed....

You are missed very much. I think of you often. You would have laughed at me when i cried like a sissy when i found out you were killed. I remember the good time in the Corps and me busting your balls to help me with my spanish, so I could hook up with the chicas in Espana. The last time I saw you was in Camp Lejuene . You had just got back from Japan.Then you were a civilian. I had no idea you had joined the Cal Guard. I especially remember you busting my balls over girls i hooked up with. You were a good but critical wingman..LOL.. Your family was awesome when i stayed with you in So Cal before our Spain deployment. I know your sisters miss you very much. Thanks for introducing me to your friends and hot female friends,
"wink, wink"...Cant forget O' Gradys Irish Pub in Spain either. Man we sure got "tanked " there and had some kick ass times!!! We had some good times bro. Rest in peace my friend. I have our pics from all over the world in close view. Semper Fi, do or die!!!

I remember ronnie back from when we were in the young marines. He was our platoon commander we would P.T. i would sometimes fall behind and there would be gunny corniel running behind me motivating to catch up. u will be missed brotha

RIP Ron.

I don't know this soldiers as I'm just visiting the website. I thank him and his family for his dedication to our county. Thank you for keeping America free and protecting our beliefs. It's because heroes like you my very young daughter will be able to live freely in this wonderful country. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Many your memory never be forgotten. RIP

Wow I went to school with this guy. We grew up in a not so tranquil neighborhood. It is no surprise to me to hear that he was a good fighter, always "in the mix". He probably mastered that skill in junior high. Sad to hear that such a young life was lost. All these lives. Like his Momma said, SHE NEEDS HIM, NOT this country. We are free, we've been free. Dude was probably fighting for his family, benefits, housing, I'm not sure. My heart goes out to his family and the young lady who he left behind. WAR, WHY? Why, now?

I am from England and I was in a band a fair few years ago. We met Ronnie online and when we came to the States, we stayed with him and his generous Mother, Sisters and Grandmother for two weeks. He was the kindest host we could hope for and nothing was too much for him. He was proud of his service with the USMC and it seemed that he felt his time had been served. Obviously he felt different and he went back over there to finish his business. I was apprehensive when I found out, I felt he'd done his share. Myself and the lads over here who knew him were absolutely devastated to hear of his passing. The guy was wonderful. Simple as that. That was nearly 6 years ago but i think about him often. RIP friend.

When I think back on you, I think about you strumming on your guitar in Japan. Sitting on those sh!tty cots and wishing the kerosene heaters would work. Listening to you talk about your time in FAST, and generally just BSing.

I found out you had gone from CNN, of all places. The world is a darker place because of you not being here.