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Pietrek, David, Pfc.
(1984 - 2008)

Gave Life for American Freedom

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Pfc. Dawid Pietrek, 24, a Polish immigrant living in Bensenville, III., was one of four Marines killed by a roadside bomb June 14 in Afghanistan's Farah province. More than 90 mourners gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to celebrate Pietrek's life and honor his sacrifice. He was the 489th member of the military killed in Iraq and Afghanistan to be buried at Arlington.

Seven of Pietrek's family members traveled to the United States for the burial, six from Poland and one from Iceland.

Pietrek came to the United States three years ago on a green card, hoping to attend college and become a police officer. He lived with two families in Elmhurst, outside of Chicago, as a trained medical caregiver for elderly family members.

In a note sent to his mother and sister in Police, Poland, after arriving in Afghanistan, Pietrek talked about what he was accomplishing.

"We are helping and protecting these people and providing them with schooling and medicine," he said in the note.

"If something should happen to me remember - this was my decision. We're defending people here and fighting terrorists," wrote Pietrek.

Pietrek's mother wanted two things. She wanted him to be buried at Arlington and be granted citizenship.

Shortly before the funeral service began at Arlington, the latter came true, as an official from the Department of Homeland Security presented her with her son's certificate of posthumous citizenship.

Source: Polish American Journal, August 2008, Vol. 97, No. 8.

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