Hands of time

Images courtesy: Marler family/Facebook

Protecting two presidents at Camp David was a highlight of Cpl. Donald Marler's military career. The middle Marine in the above picture, Cpl. Marler often stood just feet from his commander-in-chief, whether during a weekend retreat or crucial diplomatic meeting. Yet the young man from St. Louis wanted to do something he felt was of even greater consequence. He wanted to serve alongside fellow Marines in Afghanistan.

According to KDSK-TV, Marler asked for a combat assignment in December 2009. He left for Afghanistan a few months later, and ended up serving in Helmand province, one of the war zone's most dangerous regions. A tragic June 6 vehicle accident took the Marine's life, along with Lance Cpl. Derek Hernandez and Sgt. Brandon Bury. All three Marines were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

Hours before flags in Missouri began flying at half-staff on the orders of Gov. Jay Nixon, a fellow Marine posted a Facebook message in a group dedicated to Marler's life.

"It was such a pleasure and an honor to serve with your son in the Marine Corps at Camp David," Reyner Fouch wrote. "My wife and I are praying for you, and Don's memory lives strong in the hearts of those who had the privilege of serving with him. Semper Fidelis."

Marler loved sports. Numerous photos in the online tribute show him in St. Louis Cardinals gear, attending ballgames with family and friends. As Kathleen Berger's article explains, it was in the Oakville Senior High School gym, where Marler could once be found running up and down the basketball court, where his community saluted his service. His former roommate, Sgt. Joe Solberg, spoke about the difficulty of saying goodbye to his friend, as the Marines at Camp David are very close to one another.

A high school buddy, Kyle Alexander Foley, posted a moving anecdote on Facebook. Foley, who was obsessed with keeping his jeep "immaculately clean," recalled a time when Marler accidentally left two handprints on his vehicle as they tried to push it out of the mud.

"For the life of me over the years, I've tried and tried to scrub Don's handprints off. Those handprints will stay there forever now. Don, you will never be forgotten."

While playing basketball in his high school gym, the future Marine probably never thought he would one day play basketball with the President of the United States. His parents fondly recall him calling home from Maryland to tell them about his experience on the hardwood with President Obama. President Bush is also likely aware of the June 6 tragedy that took the life of a man who once guarded his.

Protecting presidents was an extraordinary accomplishment. Volunteering to leave Camp David and carry out presidential orders in a war zone is an act of true selflessness. For those who knew and respected Cpl. Donald Marler, including two of the 21st century's most consequential figures, those handprints of courage will never fade.

Note: St. Louis Pizza and Wings on Telegraph Road in Oakville, Missouri, has agreed to donate 15% of today's sales to Fisher House, in honor of Cpl. Donald Marler and his family.