RSS 2.0 FeedDecember 2, 2010, Bellmore Life
A tree for Libardo Anthony Jimenez Jr.
A tearful memorial to honor former Mepham student Libardo Anthony Jimenez Jr. was held Wednesday in the school's courtyard, where a memorial tree was planted in his name.
The memorial presentation was attended by family members, and friends past and present, who commented on the befitting nature of the memorial. U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Jimenez, who recently served in Iraq, died after receiving injuries while training to become a boxer. More in Wednesday's newspaper edition.
Penny Palmer, mother of U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Libardo Anthony Jimenez Jr., wants military law changed so that no other families go through the pain she endured when her son died while in training to become a boxer for the Marines. He had recently served in Iraq.
“I want to see that military personnel get the same medical treatment that civilians get when they are injured,” she told Bellmore Life during her son’s tree memorial dedication at Mepham High School last week.
She said that her son, training to be a boxer, suffered a series of headaches weeks before he collapsed in the training ring, and that medical doctors never took MRI scans to determine the extent of his complaints.
Ms. Palmer told Bellmore Life she has spoken with several other families in similar situations, and has reached out to U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (4th CD), and hopes to speak soon with U.S. Senator Charles Schumer for further assistance in the matter.
“Had my son had an MRI after initially complaining of headaches,” he might still be alive today, Ms. Palmer concluded.
Excerpts from “A Poem For Anthony”
As I look up at the stars,
Shining so bright,
All I see is your face,
Smiling in the light.
Wishing you never left us
for such a better place,
All the times we shared
will now only be a memory race.
Everywhere you went,
You were able to create change.
No matter how far you went,
You were never out of range.
A Marine who fought for our country, Such a brave soul,
Taking part in everything,
Always asking for a role.
Never looking back,
But always straight ahead.
Look down on us now,
As every tear is shed.
Your presence will always be felt,
Everywhere we go,
Watch us, Dear Angel,
As you shine above with a glow.
It’s time for sadness to disappear
Into the mist,
We will never say goodbye,
To us you will always exist.
All I see is your face,
Smiling in the Light.
Like a star...ever so Bright.
– Greg Famiglietti
