Mark A. Barbret
Private First Class, United States Army
November 6, 1981 – October 14, 2004
Age – 22
Shelby Township, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
44th Engineer Battalion, Camp Howze, Korea
Killed when a rocket propelled grenade struck his vehicle in Ramadi, Iraq
Mark, who attended Eisenhower High School in Utica, joined the U.S. Army on January 30, 2003, being assigned to the 44th Engineering Battalion at Camp Howze, South Korea. His family believed he was to go to Fort Drum, New York.
A quiet man with a fondness for cars, Barbret left for the military on Jan. 30, 2003, his son’s birthday to better support his son after the job market suffered. Pfc Mark Barbret and two other soldiers were killed when their Humvee, which was part of a convoy, hit a roadside bomb. He served in the 2nd Infantry Division in Iraq.
Letter written from Mark’s mother, Angela Barbret:
We personally know the courage, strength, conviction, honor,loyalty, endurance and patriotism our troops are made of. They have a bond with each other that is truly amazing. Something us civilians can only slightly understand. Because of this bond my son didn’t want to stay “inside” the walls of his Camp, he volunteered to go out on missions to protect and serve his fellow troops, to protect and serve his son, Christian, and to protect and serve all of us back home in America. Mark, living up to the meaning of his name – Mighty Warrior and Strong Defender –
Before he left for a long convoy into Ramadi Mark e-mailed home:
“Mom, these convoys get many attacks, so can you do something for me? If something happens over here, and I should die, put ‘FOR MY COUNTRY’ above my name on my tombstone, and fly the American Flag in front of the house all day and night, no matter what the weather is like, and give my Army ring to Christian.” I replied that I would do everything he asked, but added, “Don’t think negative, you know what a worrier I am, and I am not worried. You are going to be fine…”
My oldest son was preparing to go into war and die for his country, and I didn’t “GET IT”. I get it now. My husband, Mark’s Dad, his brother and sister, and Christian, Mark’s three year old son, and countless family, friends, and neighbors-they all get it now… We all understand the heroism and sacrifice of all our military, past and present. They are truly amazing men and women whom we cannot praise, thank, and remember enough.