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Getting into the Marine Corps was so important to Lance Cpl. Rogelio Ramirez that he picked up a pair of scissors one morning and cut off a tattoo deemed inappropriate by recruiters.A former PCC student, the 21-year-old soldier died in Iraq on Aug. 26, about five weeks after he was deployed.

“I would not have stopped him for anything in the world,” said his mother Irene Ramirez, a Pasadena resident, “because it was something that was very, very important to him, something he wanted to do. He died a hero and we are extremely proud of him.”

Before the Marines accepted him, Ramirez had to get his GED, obtain 15 college credits – which he did at PCC – remove and alter some of his tattoos, and pay off old truancy tickets.

Although his mother knew that her son was intelligent, she had hoped that going back to school would dissuade him from wanting to join the Marines.

“In my mind, I knew he was smart, but he had lost the discipline of wanting to study. Being a mother, I said he is not going to make it, he won’t do it, I didn’t want him going off to Iraq.”

She was happy that her son was reaching his goals, yet saddened by the idea that he was one step closer to going to Iraq. “He passed [his tests and classes] with flying colors,” she said.

Before Ramirez went to Iraq, he was able to celebrate his 21st birthday with his family. According to his mother, “he got very emotional and said ‘I’m going to fight for all of you, not just for me.’ He joined the marine corps to better himself, which he did, but he also had that purpose,” she said, referring to her son’s desire to fight for his family and for his country.

“I remember Rogelio very well,” said Associate Professor Simonetta May. “He was in my Italian 1 class and in the beginning he did well [because] his Spanish background helped him along. Then, he started falling behind, and when I talked with him about his progress. He told me about joining the Marines and his need to pass the class to achieve [that] goal.”

Once she was aware of Ramirez’s situation, May promised to help him achieve his goal.

“Ramirez’s desire to join was so strong that he studied day and night, turned in all his work and received a B on the final,” said May. “He reached his dream, and my heart bleeds at the thought that his young life was taken so quickly.”

Sgt. F. Poindexter of the U.S. Marine Corps also had the chance to work with Ramirez. “We were there for him in his times of trouble, and helped him graduate high school. He was a good kid and losing him was like losing a brother,” Poindexter said.

“[Ramirez] opted to go into the infantry. When he joined, they asked him what type of job he wanted and that’s what he chose. He did research before he got started.” Poindexter attended Ramirez’s funeral, which took place at the St. Andrews Catholic Church in Altadena.

“Every time he called,” said Irene Ramirez, “he would have excitement in his voice.”

According to her, the day before Ramirez died, he had opened fire during an ambush and had saved many people’s lives. The next day – Aug. 26 – rather than resting, he went out to help after he heard of another unit that was in trouble. On the way, an explosion near his humvee killed him.

“Eight o’clock [on a] Sunday morning, the doorbell rang and I didn’t like the feeling I had. [Through the crack in the kitchen] I saw the green uniform,” she said. “That was hard because they don’t come to your house unless it’s bad news. That’s when my life changed.”

“Within hours, this house was packed with people,” she said.

The Marine Corps flew Ramirez’s body from Iraq on a private jet to the Burbank airport. The entire 210 Freeway was closed down for his escort. Four fire trucks had their lights and sirens ablaze upon the arrival of his escort. A large crane displayed the American flag.

According to his mother, Ramirez was the type of person that “Once you got to know him, he was your buddy.”

“A lot of people are alive because of what Rogelio did,” she said. “He had a job to do, and he did it well.

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