LCpl Eric Palmisano's family remembers him on the 5th anniversary of his death
SPREAD EAGLE, WI -- Each year on April 2, Bobbie and Herb Samme remember their fallen soldier and son, Eric Palmisano. He perished in a flash flood while serving in Iraq five years ago.
Bobbie says the Marines transformed Eric from a shaggy-haired 20-something to a clean cut gentleman.
"It's the ultimate irony," said Bobbie. "The very thing, the Marine Corps, that turned him into the man he was supposed to be, he was meant to be, is the exact thing that took him away from us, but he loved being a Marine, he loved it."
Eric's mission in Iraq: driving a truck, delivering supplies to troops. He was only able to complete two out of eight months of his assignment, but his heartbroken stepfather, Herb, went to Iraq last year to finish the job for him. He just returned from his tour in November.
"It was closure for me," said Herb. "It was a blessing to, number one, be able to get the opportunity to walk a mile in his shoes, and it was an honor to do my part; I guess in a sense, to serve my country."
After finishing Eric's mission, delivering supplies in Iraq, Herb's continuing that mission in his basement with his wife, Bobbie, where they're creating care packages for the LCpl Eric A. Palmisano Care Package Project.
With the project, the couple has turned a tragedy into a triumph. Since May 2006, the Sammes have delivered more than 1,500 care packages to our troops.
"We can't help Eric anymore, but we can help his fellow Marines," Bobbie said.
But they need your help. They're asking for donations and supplies, and for those who can't spare a cent, they're asking for your hands.
"We have bags and bags and bags and bags in our basement," Bobbie said. "We need help packing these items."
If you'd like to get involved, visit the LCPL. Eric A. Palmisano Care Package Project.
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