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Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia
Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia
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 Previous Lewis T.D. Calapini     Next 
  Lewis T.D. Calapini
Marine Pvt. Lewis T.D. Calapini

21, of Waipahu, Hawaii; assigned to Anti-Terrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; killed Jan. 23 in a non-hostile vehicle accident near Taqaddum, Iraq. Also killed was Lance Cpl. Joshua A. Scott.






Marine ‘always had a smile’

By Rod Ohira
Honolulu Advertiser

Sgts. Christopher Piazza and Terence D’Alesandro thought of times spent with 21-year-old Marine Pvt. Lewis T.D. Calapini while escorting his casket home to Hawai’i from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

“He was an excellent Marine, a morale booster who always had a smile on his face,” Piazza said. “He gave up everything he could — his life. It’s the ultimate sacrifice when you die for your country.”

A native of Laoag, Philippines, who lived in Waipahu, Calapini was killed Jan. 23 in Iraq near Al Taqaddam in a vehicle accident while serving with the Anti-Terrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Piazza and D’Alesandro, who are from the same battalion, served with Calapini in Iraq in 2005 from March to September.

A memorial service for Calapini was held last night at Borthwick Mortuary’s Maunakea Chapel. A second service will be today at 11 a.m. at Marine Corps Base Hawai’i at Kane’ohe followed by burial with military honors at the Hawai’i State Veterans Cemetery.

Knowing Calapini was from Hawai’i, D’Alesandro recalled kidding him about being assigned to Camp Lejeune.

“I used to ask him, ‘Hey, Calapini, I bet you ask yourself everyday why the Marines sent you to North Carolina’ and he’d say, ‘No sergeant, everything is good to go,’ but then he would say, ‘To tell you the truth, yeah maybe a little bit,’” D’Alesandro said. “He was small in stature but a helluva man, really a good kid and Marine.”

Piazza and D’Alesandro said since their arrival last Monday night, they’ve met and come to know Calapini’s family.

“His family has treated us like family and right now our concern is for them,” D’Alesandro said.

Navy Chaplain Raynard Allen, also from Camp Lejeune, represented Calapini’s commanding officer, Lt. Col. Michael Killion, and the 850 Marines with the Anti-Terrorism Battalion at last night’s service.

“I want to tell his family that his courage, honor and commitment will be missed, and about his contagious spirit and smile that galloped and rippled their way through his company,” Allen said before last night’s service. “No parent expects their son to die before them, and I know they feel a dagger in their heart.

“Most Marine families are proud of their sons and daughters and highly respect what they do for their country,” Allen said. “Most of these Marines now fighting in the war signed after 9/11 so they knew they were going to fight terrorism. The Calapini family lost a son but I want them to know they’ve gained an extended family. I and all Marines are part of their family.”

Calapini is survived by his parents, Orencio and Helen Grace Calapini; older brother, Marvin; and grandparents, Filipinas Basug, Amado and Veronica Duquez, and Adela Arucan. Family members requested privacy.

Primo Lagundino, 30, said of his cousin, “He followed his dream. He was strong-willed, tough in mind and body.”

Calapini graduated from the Hawai’i National Guard Youth Challenge Academy and joined the Marine Corps in May 2004. He enjoyed playing basketball and practicing tae kwon do. His second tour in Iraq began Oct. 3, 2005.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com
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BY bad-dog on May 12, 2006
  May God Bless you and your loved ones for what you have done for your country
 


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Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia

It's been 20 years since your passing... However, I never forgotten the day you told me I am married, I am going to have a baby, and day your son was born... You touched some many lives in different ways in your brief time on this earth in ways others can't imagine... Some people can be given a life time on this earth and accomplish nothing, and there are some people who are given a short time and accomplish so much... You Mr. Flores-Mejia aka Ricky was that person and soldier who accomplish so much in your shoft tme... As I see the days pass by, and the war seems to be a distant memory, your memory is still alive in my life, and still on this and like other days with my grandchildren I sit back like we did many times and listen to those West Coast oldies... "Never Forgotten"


Frank E. Adamski III

To the family of Frank Adamski, including his wife and daughter, my sincere condolences. I plan to make sure he is never forgotten.


Benjamin Walker

🕯️


Trevor B. Adkins

If I could go back in time I would begg you not to go I miss you so much the girls do to they talk about you all the time lots of love your sister


Adam D. Jones

Happy Birthday, Adam. You are missed so much every minute of everyday! XOXO ~143~ You will forever be in my heart and on my mind. Love always, Tammy


Laurie Cobb

She was my 3rd and 5th grade teacher. Today I'm 32 and still think about her. She was the best teacher ever. From her hair children stories to her bubbly happiness and kindness she spread. I'll never forget her. She was the teacher who had lunch with the kids in her classroom so everyone had someone to be with. She made my school experience amazing. I will never forget her.. I love you Mrs. Cobb. Sincerely, Forever in my thoughts, Alyssa (Viau) Capone


Larry E Polley Jr

SPC Polley died almost two decades ago so I don't know if this message will be seen. In honor of Memorial Day, my agency hands out cards with names of those who have fallen. This year, 2023, I received the card for SPC Polley and was inspired to look up more on him. I am thankful for his service and sacrifice. My condolences to his family. He is not forgotten.


Paul C. Holter III

Miss you brother


Alex D Gonzalez

Love you and miss you always. Since you been gone it has been hard for everyone. I know you loved what you did, and I want to thank you for our freedom. If I can have you back home and safe living your life man everything would be different. No matter how much money they would offer me I would rather have you alive and home. Money comes and go so it's not worth losing you.


Christopher D Young

hello my name is Jesus Vega I would like to give my condolences to Christopher's family and friends, I served with him in Iraq and slept in the same quarters. I have many fond memories of him. I have never forgotten his sacrifice. I would like to share that the greatest memory I had of Chris is that he would speak highly of his mom and how much she meant to him. Chris was a strong minded person and looked out for other. He was kind and friendly the he made friends with everyone. Chris was truly a great man! I sincerely apologize for not sharing sooner. but would like to express that Chris's memory will never be forgotten! though he is not with us he will always be in spirit! If this message gets to Christopher's mother I she could know she raised a great man and for that I thank you.


Jose E Ulloa

Ricky you are still in your family's hearts.


John Michael Roy Curwin

I'm doing a work assignment for school and think he should be included.


Derek L. Shanfield

Heartfelt Sympathy on the loss of your son - Semper Fi.


Marisol Heredia

Dear Marisol, You are Loved Forever...Jeff


John Charles Jenkins

In hope for your soul to be safe and in peace forever, God hold you in your wings! Amen


Todd Beamer

Your courage exceeds the unimaginable.


Steven Paul Chucknick

peace be with you


Geoffrey Perez

thank you for being in our lives, you i got to see you right before you left and i feel so blessed for tour ultimate sacrifice brother. Rest in paradise


Linda Jones

Praying for peace and serenity. God bless you as you travel this difficult path.


Kristopher J. Gould

Miss you everyday buddy. Look forward to seeing you again, one day.


Kristopher J. Gould

Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice, Kris. You are missed.


Deora Bodley

rest in peace


James David Parker

I knew James David Parker as "Dave" when he lived in Solon Ohio. We met when I moved into town from out of state. He and his group of friends were a year or two older than me. Dave was a bright beacon of hope and joy to me. I was an unsure young man in a strange place. Dave introduced me to many people and ensured his friends always saved me a seat in the lunchroom. I have fond memories of him and his friends during that time. I doubt so many people would have been as wonderful toward me without Dave's incredible kindness. I've never forgotten his kindness. I hope to be able to pay it forward someday.

Wall Of Prayers


 For Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia   For Frank E. Adamski III   For Benjamin Walker   For Trevor B. Adkins   For Adam D. Jones   For Laurie Cobb   For Larry E Polley Jr   For Paul C. Holter III   For Alex D Gonzalez   For Christopher D Young   For Jose E Ulloa   For John Michael Roy Curwin   For Derek L. Shanfield   For Marisol Heredia   For John Charles Jenkins   For Todd Beamer   For Steven Paul Chucknick   For Geoffrey Perez   For Linda Jones   For Kristopher J. Gould  
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