Memorial service held for Lance Cpl. Jeremiah Collins, Jr.



Jeremiah Collins, Jr.



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A memorial service for Lance Corporal Jeremiah Collins, Jr. was held outside of Milwaukee's Hamilton High School at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 11th. Collins is a 2012 graduate of Hamilton.

Collins, 19, died on Saturday, October 5th while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan as an intelligence specialist.

At Hamilton H.S. on Friday, 1st Sgt. Earl Boyce says his schoolmates could count on Collins to comfort them.

"You could be having the worst day of your life, he would come around, you'd see his hair, you'd see his smile, he'd make it all go away," said 1st Sgt. Boyce.

"It makes us sad, because it makes us open our eyes to the real world; how everything is," said Cadet Lt. Col. Jose Jimenez.

Collins was assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. His body has returned to the United States. Right now, Collins' remains are in Dover, Delaware. They're expected to returned to Milwaukee on Wednesday, October 16th.

The Collins family is finalizing arrangements but plans to have a family memorial, visitation and graveside service with full honors.

A U.S. Marine Corps carry team transfers the remains of Lance Cpl. Jeremiah M. Collins Jr., of Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 7, 2013 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Collins was assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).



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