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- Pulaski grad becomes states youngest Iraq casualty
By Andy Nelesen
Green Bay (Wis.) Press-Gazette
HOBART, Wis. Ryan Jerabek wanted to go to college and become a history teacher. But first he wanted to serve his country, so he joined the Marine Corps, despite his fathers protests.
In March, the 18-year-old Jerabek shipped out to Iraq and on April 6, Ken and Rita Jerabek got the news their son had been killed.
He said, Dad, maybe I can go over there and make a change, Ken Jerabek. Maybe I can do something with the people and show them that were not animals here, you know.
Ryan Jerabek, a 2003 graduate of Pulaski High School, was killed in a firefight in Ramadi, Iraq, a region where more than 15 Marines have died in recent days. He served with the 4th Brigades 2nd Battalion. He was the youngest Wisconsin soldier to die since the war in Iraq started and the first Brown County death.
The details are real sketchy, Ken Jerabek said, sitting on a planter outside his Hobart home where the flag flew at half-staff on April 7. Military officials told the family that Ryan Jerabek was one of eight Marines killed and 20 wounded in the battle. They got the word about 8:30 p.m. on March 6 and told Ryans brothers: Aaron, 28, of Milwaukee, and Nick, 16, who still lives at home.
Ryan Jerabek joined the Marine Corps and went in July, Ken Jerabek said. He graduated from basic training in October and came home on a leave for 14 days. He went back to Camp Pendleton and took his Advanced Infantry Training and then came back home on leave before he left for Kuwait. Three weeks in Kuwait and he went to Iraq for four weeks.
Now we have to bring him home, Jerabek said, his voice trailing off.
Ryan Jerabek was the second soldier from Wisconsin killed in Iraq in early April. Cpl. Jesse Thiry of Casco was also killed April 6 in Iraq. The young men were the 14th and 15th Wisconsin soldiers killed in combat.
Ryan had his goals made, Ken Jerabek said. He was going to go four years in the Marine Corps, from there he was going to go to Stevens Point to become a history teacher.
He wanted to come back and teach at Pulaski.
Jerabek, a Vietnam-era vet who helped to get the remains of fallen soldiers home from Southeast Asia, didnt want his son to join the military.
He wanted to join the Marine Corps, but I was dead set against it the way the things in the world were going, Jerabek said, noting that military officials have not provided the family with any information about the return of Ryans body.
He loved what he was doing, Ken Jerabek said. He loved his country more than anything in the world.
He said, Ill be all right, Dad. Ill get good training. Theyll take good care of me.
- Ryan Jerabek
UNION-TRIBUNE
April 23, 2004
U.S. Marine Private First Class
Age 18
When Ryan Jerabek joined the Marines, he was continuing a proud family tradition of serving this country. His grandfather was in the Army Air Corps. His grandmother was a Navy lieutenant. His father was in the Army during the Vietnam War.
Pfc. Jerabek, 18, of Hobart, Wis., died April 6 in a battle in Ramadi, Iraq. He was a mortarman and rifleman with the 1st Marine Division from Camp Pendleton, and he had been in Iraq for four weeks.
The Jerabek family is still waiting for the military to provide details surrounding his death.
"Ryan just loved this country with a passion. He just loved this country so much and the history behind it," said Ken Jerabek, Ryan's father, who last heard from his son on April 4.
"He said, 'Don't worry about it. I am all right. Everything was cool. Just send me some more candy,' and he said he loved me and his family here."
Ryan Jerabek wanted more candy to hand out to Iraqi children.
The middle child of Ken and Rita Jerabek, he was a history buff and a computer whiz who loved video games and paintball. He wanted to first serve his country, then go to college and return home to become a history teacher.
He was an avid reader of American and world history books and had walked the Freedom Trail in Boston with his mother and aunt to learn about the founding of America.
He was curious about his Irish heritage and traveled to Ireland in 2001 with his older brother, Aaron. They hiked across the country and visited castles.
At Pulaski High School, where he graduated with honors in 2003, he ran on the track team and was known as a nice person and humble student who never caused any trouble. He tutored kids who struggled with physics.
Deeply affected by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Jerabek signed up with the Marines at 17, motivated by a sense of duty to do something for his country. Jerabek went through boot camp with his childhood friend Michael Andrews, who escorted his body home from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
More than 1,400 people attended Jerabek's memorial service two weeks ago. Those in attendance included congressmen, senators, the governor of Wisconsin and veterans from throughout the state. The Jerabek family has received cards and letters of condolence from all over the country.
Jerabek was buried with full military honors and a Purple Heart.
"He is just going to be deeply missed. There is a loss here that will never be filled," Ken Jerabek said.
- Jerabek, Ryan M. Pfc. Ryan M. Jerabek, USMC, 18, Village of Hobart, provided the ultimate sacrifice Tuesday, April 6, 2004, while serving his country in Ramadi, Iraq. He was born May 9, 1985, to Kenneth and Rita (Clausen) Jerabek in Green Bay. Ryan was a 2003 graduate of Pulaski High School, where he ran track.
He loved reading and history, planning to become a history teacher someday. One of Ryan's dreams was to explore our nation's birthplace of independence and liberty. He walked the Freedom Trail in Boston with his mother and Aunt Pat in November, 2001. Ryan was proud of his heritage and especially drawn to his Irish heritage. He treasured his trip to Ireland with his brother, Aaron, in November, 2001, exploring castles, fields and meadows. Much of Ryan's time was spent on computers, 'gaming' with others across the country but most often sharing time with his brother, Nick, who he loved dearly. Ryan loved his country and strived to be the best Marine he could be, wanting to make a difference in the world. He showed maturity beyond his years. Survivors include his parents, Ken and Rita, Oneida; two brothers, Aaron, Milwaukee and Nicholas at home; maternal grandparents, Alfred and Sarah Clausen, Green Bay; paternal grandparents, Gene and Madlyn Jerabek, Green Bay; paternal great-grandfather, Jule Gilson; aunts and uncles, Patricia Zeitler and fiance, Dr. Gregory Thatcher, Shawano; Michael and Pam Clausen, Green Bay; Kathleen and Bill Gehrke, Ishpeming, MI; Shawn and Pam Clausen, Kewaunee; Dale Jerabek, Green Bay; and Kaye Jerabek, Green Bay; many cousins, other relatives and friends, including his best friend, Lance Corporal Mike Andrews, USMC. He was preceded in death by his sister, Sara, and great-grandmother, Blanche Gilson. Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, April 15, at Green Bay Community Church, 600 Cardinal Lane, Howard. Visitation will continue after 10:00 A.M. Friday at the church where funeral services will take place at 11:00 A.M. with the Rev. Erik Roddan officiating. Military honors and interment will follow at Nicolet Memorial Gardens. Lyndahl Funeral Home, Green Bay, is serving the family. www.lyndahl.com The Marine Corps was an important part of Ryan's life. We continue to honor and thank them everyday for their selfless service to our country. Semper Fi
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1985 - 2004 (18 years)
