Marine Lance Cpl Edward "Augie" Schroeder
Columbia High School Graduate
Killed in Iraq

Edward Schroeder spent his preschool years in China and then finished school in Maplewood, N.J. His family moved to Cleveland after he graduated from high school and started classes at Ohio State University.

The young Marine went to Iraq filled with optimism about the mission ahead, but he gradually became disillusioned with the war's progress, his father, Paul Schroeder, said.

"When you first get there, you think everything's hunky-dory," he said. "But after four operations, the insurgents were still there. He didn't think they were having any effect. I heard him and thought, 'Well, the bloom is off the rose.' I was opposed to this war before it even started, and my son is a sharp kid."

He quickly corrected himself.

"Was," he said, as sobs began to choke his words. "My son was a sharp kid.

"Oh, Jesus."
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A memorial service for Augie Schroeder with the Schroeder/Palmer family is scheduled for 7:30 pm, Thursday August 11, 2005, at Morrow Memorial Church in Maplewood.
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Community comments on Augie Schroeder's passing are being posted on Maplewood Online. Go to "Soapbox" and then the "All Politics" "South Orange" or "Virtual Cafe" sections
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