Bobby Warns - A Video Tribute to a Fallen Marine

2004 was a transforming year
for the Warns family.

On November 8, 2004 our only son, Bobby, gave his life to protect ours. In those first hours, we suffered unimaginable grief. How could this happen? Why us? How could our Bobby be gone? Then something wonderful happened. We realized that Bobby was not gone. We just couldn't see him anymore. He let us know in so many ways that he is still with us. That was the first miracle. There were many more to come. We began to realize how blessed we are.

We are blessed with the memories of Bobby.
There are so many-we can't even begin to relate all of them. However, Bobby has left an indelible mark on everyone he has ever met-even those who never knew him. To some he is funny, witty, or daring--to some he is the best son, brother, cousin, loved-one, father, friend, god father, Marine or person they have ever known. Bobby is our Guardian Angel.

We are blessed with Kenny, Jeannie and family. The evening of November 8, the Marines waited at Kenny and Jeannie’s until Bridget got home from work. Kenny and Jeannie were with Bridget just minutes after the Marines told her of Bobby's death. Because both Bob and Katie were out of town, Jack stayed with Bridget so that she wouldn't be alone. Kenny and Jeannie’s kids - Bryon, Stephie and Mikey - spent hours with us just talking, just being their in their loving, comforting way. Mikey made us a special little rosary in honor of Bobby. Every time we look at it, we think of Bobby and smile!

We are blessed with great employers, co-workers and customers.
Direct Supply, the company that Bridget works for, helped get Bob, Bridget and Jack out to Katie in New York, so that Katie would not be alone when she heard the news. Because of the transportation that Bob Hillis arranged, our family could grieve in private. Direct Supply sent enough food to feed the entire neighborhood, several times over. They digitized over a hundred pictures of Bobby and put together a touching picture show of his life. They set-up collection points around the company for donations to the trust fund and made sure that the cards were delivered daily.

Kohl's, Katie's company, has been incredibly understanding at work, came in huge numbers to support us at the Visitation and Funeral, and have donated so generously to Bobby's trust fund. Every day someone at work tells her how much Bobby has affected them and their family.

Kleen-Tex, Inc. Bob's company and his friends, who work with him there, generously donated to Bobby's Trust Fund and helped out with the ground transportation in New York to pick up Katie in Manhattan.

AAA, Bobby's company, sent memories of working with Bobby and a priceless gift - Bobby's many origami ornaments that he created while working there.

US Foodservice, Bridget’s former employer, sent breakfast for the entire neighborhood several morning in a row.

Our customers supported us with cards, beautiful flowers and generous donations to Bobby's trust fund. Their kind words and understanding during this time has been much appreciated.

All of our co-workers continue to support us and keep Bobby's memory alive by talking about him to us which is incredibly helpful and healing. They know that even though our eyes may fill with tears, our hearts are swelling with pride. Please don't ever stop talking about our son, brother, hero, Bobby!!!

We are blessed with a wonderful neighborhood. As soon as our neighbors heard the news, they came to comfort us. The day after we found out, our house was full of friends and neighbors sharing our grief. It wasn't long before the healing began and we started sharing Bobby stories and laughing. We didn't have to worry about food for weeks. Meals were brought to us day and night. Our friends and neighbors took control of the details of our daily lives, the celebration of life and the Irish wake! They even cleaned our house from top to bottom, trimmed the shrubs and clipped the perennials. We live in the best neighborhood in the world!

We are blessed with Father Brian. Father Brian was with us every step of the way. We felt as if we were his only parishioners. He helped us make decisions about the Visitation, the Funeral and the Burial. He shared meals, music and wine with us. He was with us when Bobby came home from Iraq, and he helped make Bobby's Funeral a celebration of life. We have formed a strong friendship that will go on forever.

We are blessed with a new grandchild/niece on the way. Bobby and Erin will be having a baby in May of 2005 (Payton Elizabeth Robert Warns – born 5-05-05). We are so excited to be getting a little bit of Bobby back.

We are blessed with the Erin’s family. Erin, Bobby's girlfriend, has shown a level of strength and bravery that is of a Soldier's caliber. We are so blessed to add another strong woman to our family, to have such a loving Momma for our future grandchild/niece, and to know she loved Bobby and he loved her.

Within days of the news, Erin's mom, Cindy, drove over 6 hours to be with us. She was with us for several days. It took only a few hours before she felt like one of the family. She not only supported Erin, she supported our entire extended family.

We are blessed with Bobby's friends. They came to our home and shared wonderful stories about Bobby. They vowed to be surrogate fathers to Erin and Bobby's child. Two weeks before Christmas they put up our outdoor decorations and lights. The house never looked better!

A very special friend of Bobby's, Erik, the owner of Axel's bar, in Milwaukee, held a fund raiser for Bobby's unborn child. Not only did Erik raise a significant amount of money, he also brought together all of Bobby's friends for a wonderful night of sharing Bobby stories.

And their parents. Bobby's friend's parents have been there for us every step of the way. They have told Bobby stories, supported fund raisers and cried and laughed with us. Most of all, they have raised remarkable children who have wrapped us in a cocoons of love and caring.

We are blessed with a supportive community. Numerous companies made donations of their services. We received beautiful flowers, artistic pictures, food, financial contributions and the gift of song at Bobby's celebration. We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and honor. Each and every person said they were proud to do it for an American hero. Randle - Dable was not just a Funeral Home-they supported us as if Bobby were their son, brother, or loved-one. Their comfort and care made their home one of celebration and life.

We are blessed with Creative Images and the miracle of technology. Because Bobby and Erin have a baby on the way, we wanted to preserve the memory of Bobby's funeral and the dignity in which he was remembered. Creative Images recorded Katie and Jack's wedding a year ago, and we knew they would do a phenomenal job for Bobby. What began as a video tribute to Bobby on the web, has morphed into a tribute to all Marines and service men and women. It has been seen by over 600,000 people (as of December 2005). We receive supportive messages from the site daily. We have found old friends and made new ones. www.BobbyWarns.com has become a healing experience for people worldwide.

We are blessed with the United States Marines. We are not a family with a military legacy. Before this happened to Bobby, we had minimum contact with the Marines. After November 8, the Marines saw to every detail of Bobby's return. The dignity and honor that they gave to Bobby while he was in Iraq and at his funeral was awe-inspiring. "Semper Fidelas"(always faithful) is not just a saying for the Marines, it is a way of life. They continue to watch over us and make sure we are doing OK.

We are blessed with a loving extended family. Two days after Bobby left us, our extended family, from Dallas, Indianapolis, and Chicago filled the house. We cried and then we laughed. We shared stories, drank wine and looked at pictures. We spent many hours putting together Bobby's celebration of life. Intentions for the Mass were written, lost pictures were found, flowers were arranged, music was selected and the proper celebration attire selected.

We are blessed with Bobby's young cousins and godchild. Bobby loved his young cousins and they adored him. We were able to see glimpses of Bobby the dad through his love and caring of them and his beautiful godchild, Fionnuala Nan.

We are blessed with the Holidays. The Holidays seem to be a tough time when you've lost a child. We found the opposite to be true. Thanksgiving was one of our best! Our entire family was together and we know Bobby was there. Christmas was also celebrated with high spirits an incredible amount of love for life - we even wrote and sang an original Christmas carol! Although some tears were shed, we rejoiced with our family, friends, and the Marines.

We are blessed to have our children. Katie and Jack were the source of our strength. They were there day and night. They cried and laughed with us. They shared their inner most thoughts. They hugged us when we needed it and when we didn't. They encouraged us to celebrate the holidays fully, and gave us a reason to do so. Bobby was also there and let us know in so many ways. It happened so often, we had to start a journal.

We are blessed to be the parents of a hero, our hero Bobby. Bobby did not come from a long line of Military. He is the only Marine in the Warns and McDermott family. Bobby felt an obligation to protect and serve his country. When Bobby was leaving for Iraq, Bob Sr. asked him if he would have joined the Marines if he had known that he would end up in Iraq. Without hesitating, Bobby said yes. This has been a great comfort to us, knowing that Bobby died doing what he wanted to do. What more could someone ask for? What a way to go!

As 2005/2006 approaches and moves us forward, we know the blessings will continue...

Bob Sr., Bridget, Katie, Jack, Erin, Payton and Bobby