U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeramy Ailes, was killed by small arms fire on November 15th as U.S. forces wrapped up their offensive against Iraqi insurgents in the city of Fallujah. Ailes becomes the war's first casualty from the South Valley. He was one of at least 38 American servicemen killed during the weeks-long campaign to control the city, and one of more than 1,190 who have perished during the course of the war and its aftermath.
Jeramy was midway through his third year with the Marines and his second tour in Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines Division. Few details were immediately available about the circumstances surrounding Jeramy's death. One of the Marines who visted the Ailes family said it might have been an ambush, someone playing "possum", but the family expects to learn more in coming days.
Few had envisioned that the modest young man known for his infectious smile and great big heart would eventually tote a marine's rifle. Jeramy worked hard to help those overseas, becoming the medic for his unit and one of four soldiers in his battalion tapped for intense courses in Arabic. He also dispensed $300 of his own money among Iraqi children -- $10 will reportedly feed a family of four there for a month – and would also give them his rations while on patrol, eschewing meals until he returned to base.
On the way to Fallujah, Jeramy also asked his parents to send 300 soccer balls that he could distribute to local kids. Children flocked to him in droves when he passed them out. No matter how grim the situation he turned it around with his famous wit and smiling brown eyes, he really cared.
He shocked everyone close to him when, in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, he stopped taking college courses and instead enlisted to serve his country.
The quiet young man known for his love of cars, camping and country music was a brother to three sisters and the only son of Joel and Lana (Barbaglia) Ailes of Gilroy, CA. A makeshift memorial filled the mantel in the Ailes' living room: An American flag-painted wreath, a burning candle, and pictures of Jeramy hunting or hugging his sisters Janay, 23, Jenny, 14, and Leah, 12.
Cars of family members and friends crowded in front of the family's single-story house. Jeramy's shiny black pickup with a U.S. Marine Corps sticker on the rear window sat in the driveway, as did his mother's SUV, with several Marines stickers and a tattered yellow ribbon bow that she put up when her son went on his first tour of duty to Nasiriyah, Iraq, in March 2003.
Jeramy grew up in Morgan Hill, CA, until he was 10, when his family moved to Gilroy. He attended P.A. Walsh Elementary School and in Gilroy attended Rod Kelley Elementary School, Brownell Academy Middle School, and graduated from Gilroy High School in 2001 before taking courses at a local Junior College. His mother Lana, is a secretary at Barrett Elementary.
Only last month students packed boxes of goodies for shipment to Ailes' platoon in Iraq. Always a friend to everyone, Ailes is now considered a local "hero". He was so young, he had so much more to do in his life, but we know he's in heaven, he's with God.
Jeramy was midway through his third year with the Marines and his second tour in Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines Division. Few details were immediately available about the circumstances surrounding Jeramy's death. One of the Marines who visted the Ailes family said it might have been an ambush, someone playing "possum", but the family expects to learn more in coming days.
Few had envisioned that the modest young man known for his infectious smile and great big heart would eventually tote a marine's rifle. Jeramy worked hard to help those overseas, becoming the medic for his unit and one of four soldiers in his battalion tapped for intense courses in Arabic. He also dispensed $300 of his own money among Iraqi children -- $10 will reportedly feed a family of four there for a month – and would also give them his rations while on patrol, eschewing meals until he returned to base.
On the way to Fallujah, Jeramy also asked his parents to send 300 soccer balls that he could distribute to local kids. Children flocked to him in droves when he passed them out. No matter how grim the situation he turned it around with his famous wit and smiling brown eyes, he really cared.
He shocked everyone close to him when, in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, he stopped taking college courses and instead enlisted to serve his country.
The quiet young man known for his love of cars, camping and country music was a brother to three sisters and the only son of Joel and Lana (Barbaglia) Ailes of Gilroy, CA. A makeshift memorial filled the mantel in the Ailes' living room: An American flag-painted wreath, a burning candle, and pictures of Jeramy hunting or hugging his sisters Janay, 23, Jenny, 14, and Leah, 12.
Cars of family members and friends crowded in front of the family's single-story house. Jeramy's shiny black pickup with a U.S. Marine Corps sticker on the rear window sat in the driveway, as did his mother's SUV, with several Marines stickers and a tattered yellow ribbon bow that she put up when her son went on his first tour of duty to Nasiriyah, Iraq, in March 2003.
Jeramy grew up in Morgan Hill, CA, until he was 10, when his family moved to Gilroy. He attended P.A. Walsh Elementary School and in Gilroy attended Rod Kelley Elementary School, Brownell Academy Middle School, and graduated from Gilroy High School in 2001 before taking courses at a local Junior College. His mother Lana, is a secretary at Barrett Elementary.
Only last month students packed boxes of goodies for shipment to Ailes' platoon in Iraq. Always a friend to everyone, Ailes is now considered a local "hero". He was so young, he had so much more to do in his life, but we know he's in heaven, he's with God.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeramy Ailes, was killed by small arms fire on November 15th as U.S. forces wrapped up their offensive against Iraqi insurgents in the city of Fallujah. Ailes becomes the war's first casualty from the South Valley. He was one of at least 38 American servicemen killed during the weeks-long campaign to control the city, and one of more than 1,190 who have perished during the course of the war and its aftermath.
Jeramy was midway through his third year with the Marines and his second tour in Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines Division. Few details were immediately available about the circumstances surrounding Jeramy's death. One of the Marines who visted the Ailes family said it might have been an ambush, someone playing "possum", but the family expects to learn more in coming days.
Few had envisioned that the modest young man known for his infectious smile and great big heart would eventually tote a marine's rifle. Jeramy worked hard to help those overseas, becoming the medic for his unit and one of four soldiers in his battalion tapped for intense courses in Arabic. He also dispensed $300 of his own money among Iraqi children -- $10 will reportedly feed a family of four there for a month – and would also give them his rations while on patrol, eschewing meals until he returned to base.
On the way to Fallujah, Jeramy also asked his parents to send 300 soccer balls that he could distribute to local kids. Children flocked to him in droves when he passed them out. No matter how grim the situation he turned it around with his famous wit and smiling brown eyes, he really cared.
He shocked everyone close to him when, in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, he stopped taking college courses and instead enlisted to serve his country.
The quiet young man known for his love of cars, camping and country music was a brother to three sisters and the only son of Joel and Lana (Barbaglia) Ailes of Gilroy, CA. A makeshift memorial filled the mantel in the Ailes' living room: An American flag-painted wreath, a burning candle, and pictures of Jeramy hunting or hugging his sisters Janay, 23, Jenny, 14, and Leah, 12.
Cars of family members and friends crowded in front of the family's single-story house. Jeramy's shiny black pickup with a U.S. Marine Corps sticker on the rear window sat in the driveway, as did his mother's SUV, with several Marines stickers and a tattered yellow ribbon bow that she put up when her son went on his first tour of duty to Nasiriyah, Iraq, in March 2003.
Jeramy grew up in Morgan Hill, CA, until he was 10, when his family moved to Gilroy. He attended P.A. Walsh Elementary School and in Gilroy attended Rod Kelley Elementary School, Brownell Academy Middle School, and graduated from Gilroy High School in 2001 before taking courses at a local Junior College. His mother Lana, is a secretary at Barrett Elementary.
Only last month students packed boxes of goodies for shipment to Ailes' platoon in Iraq. Always a friend to everyone, Ailes is now considered a local "hero". He was so young, he had so much more to do in his life, but we know he's in heaven, he's with God.
Jeramy was midway through his third year with the Marines and his second tour in Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines Division. Few details were immediately available about the circumstances surrounding Jeramy's death. One of the Marines who visted the Ailes family said it might have been an ambush, someone playing "possum", but the family expects to learn more in coming days.
Few had envisioned that the modest young man known for his infectious smile and great big heart would eventually tote a marine's rifle. Jeramy worked hard to help those overseas, becoming the medic for his unit and one of four soldiers in his battalion tapped for intense courses in Arabic. He also dispensed $300 of his own money among Iraqi children -- $10 will reportedly feed a family of four there for a month – and would also give them his rations while on patrol, eschewing meals until he returned to base.
On the way to Fallujah, Jeramy also asked his parents to send 300 soccer balls that he could distribute to local kids. Children flocked to him in droves when he passed them out. No matter how grim the situation he turned it around with his famous wit and smiling brown eyes, he really cared.
He shocked everyone close to him when, in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, he stopped taking college courses and instead enlisted to serve his country.
The quiet young man known for his love of cars, camping and country music was a brother to three sisters and the only son of Joel and Lana (Barbaglia) Ailes of Gilroy, CA. A makeshift memorial filled the mantel in the Ailes' living room: An American flag-painted wreath, a burning candle, and pictures of Jeramy hunting or hugging his sisters Janay, 23, Jenny, 14, and Leah, 12.
Cars of family members and friends crowded in front of the family's single-story house. Jeramy's shiny black pickup with a U.S. Marine Corps sticker on the rear window sat in the driveway, as did his mother's SUV, with several Marines stickers and a tattered yellow ribbon bow that she put up when her son went on his first tour of duty to Nasiriyah, Iraq, in March 2003.
Jeramy grew up in Morgan Hill, CA, until he was 10, when his family moved to Gilroy. He attended P.A. Walsh Elementary School and in Gilroy attended Rod Kelley Elementary School, Brownell Academy Middle School, and graduated from Gilroy High School in 2001 before taking courses at a local Junior College. His mother Lana, is a secretary at Barrett Elementary.
Only last month students packed boxes of goodies for shipment to Ailes' platoon in Iraq. Always a friend to everyone, Ailes is now considered a local "hero". He was so young, he had so much more to do in his life, but we know he's in heaven, he's with God.
