Soldier Honored: Shane E. Kielion

Corporal Shane E. Kielion, 23, of La Vista, Neb., was assigned to the 3^rd Battalion, 5^th marine Regiment, 1^st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif., and served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On November 15, 2004, Cpl. Kielion was killed during enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq.

Cpl. Kielion was the starting quarterback on the Omaha South High School football team and went to Peru State College for a short time on a football scholarship. When that did not work out, he returned to Omaha to work and joined the Marines. Due to his actions in combat, he earned a Silver Star and Purple Heart.

“Shane was always such a loyal friend and husband.  He was one of those people who excelled at everything he did,” his wife said. “I remember when we lived just outside of Camp Pendleton, he would have all of his fellow Marines over for dinner or games because they did not have family in town. Family was so important to him and to create a sense of that when everyone was so far away from their own was something he felt so strongly about.

“Shane was so excited to be a father as well! He could not wait to teach his son how to play football, ride a bike, and play basketball. I know in my heart he would have been a great dad!”

Cpl. Kielion’s son is a Folds of Honor Scholarship recipient.