Marine Corps News Room

http://www.publicopiniononline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051029/NEWS01/51029002/1002

By LINWOOD OUTLAW III
Staff writer

For those who knew Lance Cpl. Steven Szwydek, it was a day of mourning no one was emotionally prepared for.

Family and friends gathered at the Needmore Bible Church in Needmore on Friday to say goodbye to a beloved son, friend and Marine who died doing what he loved most –– protecting his country.

For many, finding the strength to go inside the church was a challenge in itself. Szwydek’s parents, Nancy and Mike, greeted visitors as they entered the church. They were embraced by mourners with endless streams of tears pouring from their eyes, wishing both parents did not have to endure pain like this.

On Oct. 20, Szwydek, along with two other U.S. Marines, was killed by a roadside bomb during combat in Iraq. He is the second member of the military from Fulton County to be killed while serving in Iraq. Szwydek served in the Weapons Company Second Battalion in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Before Rev. Doug Poffenberger delivered his sermon, pictures of Szwydek, from childhood to manhood, were projected on a wide screen, reminding loved ones just how far the 20-year-old Southern Fulton High School alumnus had come.

“He was a lovable kid, and a typical teenager. Like most teenagers, he had his share of misadventures,” uncle Stanley Szwydek said. “And he loved to eat steak. No matter what restaurant we went to, he wanted steak.”

About eight people approached the podium inside the church and shared their memories of Szwydek with an audience who struggled to fight back tears during the funeral.

A friend, Robert Bard, said, “He paid the ultimate sacrifice for the people he knew and the people he never met. I’ll always remember Steve for that. He did what he could to protect this country.”

Many recalled that Szwydek aspired to be a Marine since childhood.

“He was always interested in the military life. He loved military history. Even though I’m very sad he’s gone, I’m very proud of Steven. I know being a Marine was what he wanted to do,” Stanley Szwydek said.

Poffenberger spoke about the last time he had seen Szwydek alive.

“I told him I’ll pray for him. He looked back at me and said ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. We’ll talk when I get back.’ He was a beautiful human being,” Poffenberger said.

Fourteen U.S. Marine troops attended the service and fired seven gunshots in salute of Szwydek at its conclusion. Szwydek was buried in Arlington (Va.) National Cemetery in a private ceremony. The family invited everyone to share a meal with them in honor of Szwydek’s life inside the church’s fellowship hall.

At the very front of the dining hall, there was a table covered with dozens of Szwydek’s awards and war memorabilia, showcasing his interests and array of accomplishments. Among those rewards on display was the Purple Heart he was given for wounds received in action resulting in his death.

The table also displayed 13 of Szwydek’s favorite military-themed books, including “The Guns of the South” by Harry Turtledove and “When Thunder Rolled” by Ed Ragimus.

“He was a cherished brother and a good son. But most of all, he was proud to be a part of the U.S. Marine core,” Poffenberger said.

Perhaps Szwydek’s second love in life besides the Marines was baseball. He earned several awards and trophies for his performance in the sport during his elementary and secondary school years, including a “Gatorade Will To Win Athlete Award” he earned in 2003. Szwydek’s former teammates signed a baseball bat and placed it on his display table.

Stanley Szwydek said people will not only remember his nephew for his accomplishments, but also his generosity and love for others.

“Steven was the kind of person where, if you ever talked to him once, he was your friend,” he said.

A photograph of Szwydek was perched on top of his coffin prior to the funeral featuring a metaphor summarizing his life: “You must not judge a life by its length, but instead by its depth.”

Originally published October 29, 2005