Lance Corporal Brian Patrick Parello was a 17 year old, who after 9/11 joined the United States Marine Corps. On January 1, 2005 at the age of 19, he was killed in Iraq.

Above his bed on the ceiling was a post of the Twin Towers. One can only imagine how much he sat looking at those towers and felt the need to something. He joined the Marines in his senior year of high school and in late September was off to Camp Lejuene. He was a member of the Small Craft Company, which patrolled the Tigres and Euphrates Rivers on Swift Boats. They also provided security for the Hadith Dam. He was a coxswain of the boat and it was a perfect match. Brian loved fast cars, motorcycles, and now boats. His platoon was involved in many of the major assaults in Iraq in 2004, and he receive the Medal of Valor posthumously from one of those missions.

Brian was a free spirit and lived life to the fullest. After the Corps, he planned on teaching history and travelling. He left behind his older twin brothers Matthew and Anthony, many younger cousins who idolized him. We often referred to him as the Pied Piper, because wherever Brian was the kids would follow. In addition to his love of animals, he also loved music and poetry. He was passionate about sports, especially football and hockey that he played in high school. As a freshman, he received his varsity letter in ice hockey for playing defense. He was fearless. Brian had drive, determination and dedication, all the qualities that make a great Marine.

In his senior year, he was named the person with the most school spirit. You could always hear him in the stands cheering his friends on and getting the crowd fired up. You would always see him wearing a baseball cap and he drank Rolling Rock beer. His hopes and dreams were that of any young man. To fall in love, marry, raise a family and make all of us, especially his brothers, proud of him. Along with Semper Fidalis (always faithful) on his headstone we had inscribed, “what we do in life echoes in eternity.” I cannot think of anything more fitting for those who like Brian, fought to keep the “Bells of Freedom” ringing and made the ultimate sacrifice.

We honor his memory yearly with hockey and military scholarships to West Milford High School seniors. Along with multiple tree plantings and monument dedications, a new fire truck was dedicated in his honor by one of West Milford Fire Companies. The Post Office was renamed the Brian P. Parello Post Office and his #13 hockey jersey is on display in the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Brian was “always faithful” as a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, and Marine. We will cherish our memories so they last a lifetime and find comfort that he will live on in our hearts forever. Semper Fi, Mr. B.

Love Always, Your Proud Marine Mom