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!!!