Andrew J. Kilpela
Lance Corporal, United States Marine Corps
July 21, 1968 – June 10, 2005
Age – 22
Fowlerville, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
2nd Combat Engineering Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC
Died from a roadside bomb exploded in Anbar, Iraq
A 22-year-old Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., who joined the Marine Corps to prove he could get through boot camp died after a roadside bomb went off in Iraq.
Lance Corporal Kilpela joined the Marine Corps to prove he could get through boot camp. His father, Michael Kilpela, reflected on his frustration when he thought his son didn’t plan for the future, but his perspective has changed.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that he was a person who did not worry about tomorrow,” Michael Kilpela said. “He did not regret yesterday, and he filled every moment of today with love and with joy and with passion for life.”
When he was in preschool, he told his mom “men’s to do what men’s to do, mom.” He had a big heart and always treated his friends with respect. He made friends easily. Andrew was not afraid of a challenge and wanted to be his own person.
Andrew Kilpela joined the Marine Corps in 2003 “to prove it to himself.” Lance Corporal Kilpela was so proud to wear the uniform of a United States Marine. His family was proud of him too, because he had proven that he had the metal to make it through the toughest boot camp. In June 2003 Lance Corporal Kilpela was assigned to Camp Henson in Okinawa, Japan. During his tour there, he had the opportunity to go to Mongolia, where he learned to ride horses.
“We’re going to throw a party so where he’s at, he’s going to hear it,” his brother, David Kilpela said. “He would want us to rock the house.”
Andrew and his Marine Brothers, and several infantrymen had been patrolling through Saqlawiyah, Iraq, posting signs warning local residents to beware of insurgent-placed IEDs on the road. One of these IEDs detonated near their vehicle during this mission.
When Andrew left home in February 2005, for the last time, he left behind a CD he had compiled with songs he liked. One song, by Tim McGraw, was “Please Remember Me.
“We prayed and prayed that he would come home safe and the Lord answered our prayer,” his brother said. “He is in the safest place anybody could be.”
Two of his Marine brothers remembered him with the following words.
My name is Cpl Joshua Boston and I served with Andrew. I first met “GUNS” in MOS school in Courthouse Bay. I then went to Camp Hansen Okinawa with him. We became pretty good friends and were both sent to 2nd CEB together as well. I was in Iraq during the same time, but on the other side of the base. My platoon arrived about 2 months before his and I left early on emergency leave. So, I wasn’t in country when that fateful day arrived. I will never know a finer Marine than Andrew J Kilpela and I want to give my condolences to his family. Thank you for allowing us to serve with him.
Sincerely
Cpl. Joshua D. Boston”
Joshua Boston of Conway, AR US
“Andy there hasn’t been a day that has gone by that I don’t think about you. I only wish that I was able to know you longer. I just hope that someday I can justify your sacrifice, you have been and always will be my hero.
To the Kilpela family my name is Sgt Scott Kittrell, I was Andys platoon guide in Iraq .I have always wanted to write or talk to you but I haven’t been able to bring myself to do so until now, and for that I am sorry. I know there is nothing that I could say to make things any easier, except that I am so sorry I could not bring him home. To me Andy was one of the best people I have ever met, and I always thought of him as family because to me he always will be. Andy was one of the Marines I knew I could always count on to get the job done when the chips were down. There is not a day since that I do not think about him or you, I just wanted you to know what a great person you raised. May god bless you and your entire family.
Semper Fi”
Sgt Scott A. Kittrell of Bethesda, Md.