Vincent Charles Navurskis “our Vinny”

Vincent Charles Navurskis.

 Our “Vinny”.

 Son.

 Brother.

 Uncle.

 Friend.

 Infantry Man.

 SAW Gunner.

 Combat Veteran.

 Purple Heart Recipient.

 No better friend.

 An obituary has been written and a celebration of life has been scheduled. Loved ones and military brothers and leaders from across the globe will gather in the honor of a fallen Marine whose life has ended and whose soul has moved on to new missions.

 Our squad leader, mine and Vincent’s, Sgt. Malloy, was in the moment of war and is today a man of grit and whose moral compass carried the day and his Marines into battle. He spoke not to us but in later days after the war of being ready. Preparing, training, working, and learning to do things to keep his Marines safe and to stay effective on the battlefield. He knew being ready was an idea, but that Marines are people. He treated us with respect, not as dumb grunts but as people. And to be successful people he taught us to be brothers.

 And now one of our brothers is dead.

Vincent Charles Navurskis born on February 23rd, 1983. (40), survived by his parents Charles and Linda Navurskis; Dearest siblings, Brandis (Ryan), Rachael (Herbert Jr) and Mitchel; Beloved nieces and nephews Estella, Bryson, Herbie III and Cami; the late grandparents George and Agnes Navurskis, Gilbert and Constantina Toffol; Beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend of many. Brother to every Marine on this earth, in heaven or hell, and who steps onto the yellow footprints.

Vinnie is what heroes are and was amongst us.

 He graduated from West Leyden High School where he was a wrestler and football player. He then went on to Triton Community College for one year before entering the United States Marine Corps where he served as an 0311. Became a member of 1st Squad, Echo Company 3rd Platoon, the “Battalion Bastards” of 2nd Battalion 24th Marines. Vinny was a up gunner who mastered the M-249 and was the defense system of a soft armored Humvee in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2-2 in 2004. He was wounded on October 31st of 2004 by an improvised explosive device while his hand was on the trigger housing of his weapon during a convoy operation. Hours later I would sit with him in a makeshift ambulance on the helicopter pad of Forward Operating Base St. Micheal in the Triangle of Death while our Squad Leader stood anxiously waiting for his medevac transportation to a hospital. The last time we spoke in Iraq ended in him laughing his contagious laughter while holding his wrapped arm above his head to slow the bleeding from his fresh wound. Laughing his way to a helicopter.

What we didn’t see was the pain he incurred from the trauma of the violence he experienced and being taken away physically from his brothers. We couldn’t see the darkness, fear, and regret that consumed him. We could not see the isolation he felt alone in his own mind.

 He stepped away from the darkness and into the light on October 12th, 2023 in the quiet of the night.

Vincent was, is, and always will be a warrior. His heart was on his sleeve, his forearms carved with tattoos of the pride of the Marine Corps, and his smile and laugh always a gift to anyone around him. Vinny slept with a collage picture frame next to his bed with over 20 photos of his squad and all the Marines of Echo 3rd. He NEVER left our sides.

 This campaign is to aid the family in the expenses at a time of loss this sudden and unfortunate passing has presented. When a child of living parents passes and they are close to the home, preparedness is near impossible. Any contributions would be greatly appreciated and benefit his family 100%.

 Vinny was first to fight for right and freedom. There is no doubt whatsoever he is now guarding the streets of Heaven’s scenes.

Semper Fidelis