Marine leaves legacy of hope
Contributed by Deloris Mungo, a friend of Mrs. Fran Fellers, David's Mother

David Gardner Weimortz with his mother, Fran Fellers, and sister, Kelly Weimortz

This world is a better place for each of us today thanks to the life of Corporal David Gardner Weimortz of Irmo, S.C. David was a fearless Marine, but he was first a son to Mrs. Fran Fellers and Mr. Terry Weimortz, a brother to Miss Kelly Weimortz and a friend to everyone he ever came into contact with.

This particular remembrance of David is dedicated to his Mother, Fran Weimortz Fellers, my dear friend. These past few weeks have been the worst of times for any mother, but the outpouring of love from her friends and family have held her up and let her loved ones know what a legacy of life David left. David was certainly a man's man, but he was definitely a mother's son. The choices that David made were clearly his own, and he was very proud of them and of what a difference he was making in this world by helping secure freedom for the Iraqis.

David, by all accounts, always did it his way, no matter what age he was or what he was doing. Serving his third deployment to Iraq, he died in a roadside bomb attack on August 26 in Anbar province. He was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was a lance corporal, even though he was a college graduate. He wanted to jump right in and not take the time to go to Officer's Candidate School - he felt that he was needed right then.

Trappings and titles were not important to him, but making a difference was. Once his frustrated mother asked him why he was so intent on being a Marine when there were so many people even in our own country who just didn't care these soldiers are out there for them. Why wouldn't he please just stay home? David replied, "Mom, I'm out there for the good people too, and that also means that I am out there for you."

David felt like the hope in Iraq is in the children. He said, "The kids are really what make it worthwhile. It is our goal, our desire, they come in as well adjusted, well educated persons and want to have a democratic society. Hopefully, that will be infectious and spread." David was proud to say, "I got everything I wanted out of the Marine Corps. I have no regrets." Very sadly, David's candle of life was extinguished far too soon. But the light that he shined on the people he loved in his path will always burn brightly.

David was always playing sports as a child, and his first word was "ball." David was a graduate of Dutch Fork High School and graduated as a golf standout. He then went to the University of South Carolina where he graduated as a history major in 2000. After college, he worked for a publisher in Raleigh and modeled products at NASCAR races before enlisting. He joined the Marines in March 2003 and graduated from boot camp at Parris Island. His next step was to enter law school when he returned from military duty.

His exterior was huge, 6'5 and 225 pounds of all man and muscle - but his interior was always thinking of the other person and what he could do to make him or her smile or make their life better. This gentle warrior of a man visited two sisters (friends of his in California) for a few days; and after he left, he wrote thank you notes to each of them including one to Simon the Cat thanking him for sharing his bed (aka the floor!).

All of his local teachers have shared that their classrooms would not have been nearly as "exciting" without the wit, charm, and amazing harmless but funny antics of this brilliant young man. The Marines have lost an unbelievable soldier; Todd Gayle, Jason Flynn, and Miles Solomon have lost their best friend, Fran has lost her most precious son, Kelly has lost her beloved brother who had promised to walk her down the aisle and give her away whenever she found the right man ("Muff" and "Bubby" as they referred to themselves were as close as brother and sister could be). Helen Asbill of Aiken has lost her grandson, and Pam and Clint Parker of Greenville, S.C. have lost their treasured nephew.

The people of our community have lost one of the finest young men ever placed on this earth. What we have gained is the discovery that this very wonderful young man will always be with us. He has permeated our hearts and souls, and we have learned so very much from him.

There are already in the works many well deserved memorials being made in his name with USC, National Bank of S.C., and Project Pet. We wish all could be as lucky to know ourselves as David knew himself and to set an example of quality for life and love as he did. His passion for his mother and his sister were unsurpassed. He wanted to "take care of them".... always...

We can only take so much sadness; so, dance, sing, laugh --- celebrate the life that was before the death and what it gave you and what it will continue to give you because you will always have him in your heart. "So it's the laughter we will remember- whenever we remember - the way he was." David, you will be forever in our lives and hearts.