298 Comments

Thank you for a sensitive account of this honorable family. My father was a Marine who saw combat in the Marianas campaign. He would not talk about it, and then reluctantly, until 1995, when the records and fillm footage were released.

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great piece I cried reading it such a waste of our human resources , war

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Wonderful. Thank you to all Veterans.

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Epic read.

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Thank you Joe. This was a great story. I hope you put some flowers on the marker for all of us.

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A beautifully poignant piece, a true American, albeit sad story, so apropos for today. May Emilio’s memory remain a blessing.

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Thank you for this. As a veteran, I had to hold back tears while reading it in a public place. Emilio may have served at a different time and place, but he represents all of us.

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I am sure that I am not the first to make this observation, but it is a mistake to refer to a Marine as a soldier.

There's nothing at all wrong with solders, but any Marine would immediately correct this error.

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Great story. So glad you gave it new life.

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This was a wonderful piece. Beautifully written and so powerful on so many levels - immigration, assimilation, war, family, honoring memories, and honoring the ultimate sacrifice so many have made. Thank you.

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A great American story.

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Joe, I don't know you, but if I ever meet you, I'm buying you a drink. God bless you for writing such a beautiful article about a great American. You sir, are a gem for telling this story. Emilio and his generation saved the world. It is because of them, we are free. Great to see his grandnephew, Jason Barbosa, joined the Marine Corps. God bless America, Semper Fi!

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As a Marine (former), I'm honored to call Emilio Barbosa a brother Marine. It is people like him, that gave their last measure, that make this country great. I wish that more people would remember the reason for Veterans' Day and especially Memorial Day. They are days to honor all who served (Veterans' Day) and the heroes who gave their country everything (Memorial Day). This is also a lesson for immigrants today. "Their most fervent desire was to join the melting pot, to be as American as they could possibly be". This is the way back to what this country should be. Thank You Joe, for bringing this to everyone's attention!!!

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The plaque seen round the world, for a heroic Marine. What touched me most was his family and his brothers fortitude to create a memorial for him. Thank you for researching and writing this wonderful article.

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From Washington Heights, originally, and everyday I past the WWI memorial going to and from grade school and there was also a plaque and a flag post now since destroyed.... at least the flag post has been.....you may know this place opposite the hospital.

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