Fallen Marine's Dad 'More Proud Than Ever'

John Thomas "J.T." Wroblewski, was so impacted by the events of Sept. 11, 2001, that he decided to join the military. He became a Marine, and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

On April 6, 2004, J.T. Wroblewski became the first Morris County soldier to die in Iraq, surrounded by fellow Marines. He had been wounded a day earlier during fierce fighting in Ramadi.

John Walter Wroblewski, J.T.'s father, wants everyone to know that his son was a hero.

"J.T. laid down his life for this country," the elder Wroblewski said. "Hearing the news of bin Laden's death stirred many memories for me."

Wroblewski said he didn't hear the news of bin Laden's killing until Monday morning.

"I wake up to the radio, and when I first heard it, I thought it was a drone attack," Wroblewski said. "But as the morning went on and I heard more news, I was just so proud of what those soldiers had done."

Bin Laden was shot twice in the head by special U.S. forces.

"I'm more proud than ever to be an American," Wroblewski said. "There is no better military in the world than ours.  "I remember after the 9/11 attacks, when Bush said we will not falter and we will not fail. This event speaks to the commitment, intestinal fortitude and perseverance of our military."

"This truly sends a message to the world," Wroblewski added. "It says to all the bad guys, 'Don't mess with us, because we will get you'."