Our towns

Image courtesy: Facebook

Ramsey, New Jersey, is over 900 miles away from Tyrone, Georgia. Ramsey is a borough with 15,000 residents, while Tyrone is a town with about a third of the population. Other than being near major cities, New York and Atlanta, respectively, the areas have little in common. But tonight, citizens of both communities are bonded by something that transcends geography: the pride and pain of sacrifice.

At almost the same moment the flag-draped casket of 1st Lt. Robert Collins, 24, was driven down the grieving streets of Tyrone on Thursday, a hearse bearing the remains of Cpl. Michael Jankiewicz, 23, slowly traveled the solemn paths of Ramsey.

Tragically, the post-9/11 similarities don't end there for these suburbs. A plane carrying another fallen hero, Sgt. 1st Class John Beale, of nearby McDonough, Georgia, landed in June 2009 at the same Peachtree City airfield where 1st. Lt. Collins' parents tearfully welcomed their son home on Thursday. In January, nearby Westwood, New Jersey, just 11 miles from where Cpl. Jankiewicz lived, mourned the death of Sgt. Chris Hrbek. The Unknown Soldiers had the honor of writing a few words about the fallen Marine shortly after his death. As The Bergen Record reports, Sgt. Hrbek's spirit was apparent yesterday as New Jersey honored another proud son.

In front of borough hall, a 10-foot by 15-foot American Flag flapped off the side of a Westwood fire truck. In January, that town held its own procession for Sgt. Christopher Hrbek, who was also killed in Afghanistan.

"The Ramsey Fire Department asked if we would join in," said Jaymee Hodges, Hrbek’s step-father. "They came down and were so supportive to us … so it’s our honor to be here."

Allison Pries' article said nine fellow Army Rangers escorted Jankiewicz down Main Street, passing many of the places that shaped their fallen brother's life. A stirring account from a VFW Post commander, Brian Finale, was relayed on Facebook.

"It was extremely moving as a crowd of thousands of onlookers, including all of Ramsey High School, silently watched as a platoon of Army Rangers marched by. All that could be heard was boots on the ground in perfect unison. Small American flags held by the mass of people stood at attention. Then, the hearse rode slowly past. Veterans were called to attention and presented arms in honor of a fallen comrade."

This scene, while unique and powerful on its own, is strikingly similar to what I witnessed yesterday in Tyrone. And like 1st Lt. Collins, Cpl. Jankiewicz yearned to serve his country since he was a young boy. They were serving in different war zones when they were killed in action, but living the same dream.

Even though the CV-22 Osprey that Jankiewicz was flying in crashed in Zabul, Afghanistan, one week ago today, young people who now sit in the same classrooms the future soldier once studied in received an unforgettable lesson about living life with honor, dignity, and patriotism. That is where the word heroism gets its definition. Because he dedicated his life to a cause bigger than himself, Cpl. Michael Jankiewicz will spend eternity alongside some of America's finest heroes at Arlington National Cemetery.

Tyrone, Georgia, and Ramsey, New Jersey, aren't just isolated suburbs full of people we don't know. They are our towns, and what they are experiencing tonight could happen tomorrow in our communities. As the weekend begins, let's take a moment to think about what these fellow Americans are going through, and learn the same lesson as those high school kids, who now know that true greatness isn't something they'll witness while watching reality TV.


Note: Donations may be made to the Lead the Way Fund in honor of Cpl. Michael Jankiewicz.