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PFC Marius L. Ferrero received the Bronze Star awarded for bravery and acts of merit.




PFC Marius L. Ferrero received the Purple Heart for being wounded or killed in action.

 

Family of Miami soldier killed in Iraq keeps his memory alive through charity

Family and friends keep alive the memory and mission of a Miami soldier -- U.S. Army Pfc. Marius Ferrero, who was killed in Iraq in 2007 -- with charity work.

BY SANDY JEAN-LOUIS

SJEAN-LOUIS@MIAMIHERALD.COM

 

Manny Ferrero of Miami keeps alive the memory of his younger brother Marius with help from family and friends through fundraisers and charity donations.

U.S. Army Pfc. Marius ``Mario'' Ferrero, 23, of Miami, was killed in Baqubah, Iraq, on Nov. 18, 2007, on a goodwill mission to deliver toys to Iraqi children.

Along with seven children and two other soldiers, he was killed by an explosive device carried by a suicide bomber.

After his death, his brother gathered friends and family to start Mario's Soldiers, a local charity and fundraising initiative to help underprivileged children.

``We want to keep his legacy by helping children that are less fortunate, people that are in need,'' Ferrero said.

Mario's Soldiers' next fundraiser is a charity golf tournament Oct. 25 at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa, 4400 NW 87th Ave.

``Sports are a way for people to enjoy themselves,'' said Pablo Lau, 29, treasurer of the organization.

``People not only donate but also have fun.''

The organization is a way to continue what Mario Ferrero considered to be his mission in Operation Iraqi Freedom : to help all individuals, members said.

``He's not physically here with us, but here in spirit,'' Lau said.

``We tried to find the best way to honor his belief.''

Mario's Soldiers is in the midst of a six-month charity drive that began on Memorial Day and will run through Veteran's Day, Nov. 11.

Members collect toys, food and clothing throughout Miami at various drop-off locations and offer to pick up donations free of charge.

In a partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities, Camillus House and the Veteran Affairs Hospital, the organization delivers the toys to hospitalized children, feeds the homeless and clothes disabled veterans.

Ferrero's cousin, Ernest Ajo, 24, became affiliated with the group through its softball league.

``Our softball tournaments include teams of about 12 players,'' he said.

``We receive a lot of donations and a lot of people come out.''

Members are focused on the number of men, women, children and veterans they can help.

``Everyday people are so worried about themselves. We need to step out of one problem and look at the world as whole,'' Lau said. Manny Ferrero anticipates the project's long-term growth.

``I want to help people not only in Miami, but branch out worldwide and eventually go back to the place in Baqubah, Iraq, and try to help some of the children in that town,'' Ferrero said.

Thank you for your support.

-Mario's Soldiers

Mission Statement

"Mario's Soldiers is a non-for profit organization, which focuses on humanitarian efforts spanning from under privleged children to supporting our troops.  This is all done in honor of PFC Marius L. Ferrero, his last mission, and the ideals that he gave the ultimate sacrifice for."


We started MARIOSSOLDIERS.ORG in honor of our beloved hero PFC Marius L. Ferrero.  This brave soldier was killed in action in Baqubah, Iraq on November 18th 2007 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Though being in the Army Infantry 1st Battalion, 38th IN REGT. 4th SBCT. 2nd ID SBCT, he never fired a single hostile shot in combat.  PFC Marius L. Ferrero was on a mission promoting good will that day,  handing out toys to Iraqi children.  While on this mission with his gun at his side, an IED detonated and instantly killed Marius along with two other soldiers and seven Iraqi children.  We at MARIOSSOLDIERS.ORG would like to continue PFC Marius L. Ferrero's last mission, by collecting money and donating toys for children around the world.  Please join us in accomplishing "HIS" mission. 

To donate to MariosSoldiers.org please click Donate below.  All online donations go to the Miami Ronald McDonald's House for Children.    Thank you and GOD BLESS.

ABOUT MARIOSSOLDIERS.ORG

MariosSoldiers.ORG was established by PFC Ferrero's Family in order to Honor him by continuing his last mission as a soldier in the United States Army.  We will continue to collect funds and donations to help those children in need around the world.  PFC Marius Ferrero cared a lot for the children of this world.  We will never stop his mission of promoting good will to those less fortunate than us. 



ABOUT PFC MARIUS L. FERRERO

PFC Marius L. Ferrero was born in Miami, FL.  February 9th 1984.  He was a very happy child who was known by everyone as "BOLO" or "MARIO".  He was loved by everyone who knew him.  He was a member of Civil Air Patrol as a young boy.  Joined JROTC in high school at Coral Park Senior High.  After high school, he attend ITT Technical School before joining the Army in July 2007.  He loved movies.  He had a DVD Collection over 200 titles.  Marius was very intelligent and could master any task with ease.  He loved helping his grandmother.  He vowed to her that one day he will re-pay her for all that she had done for him.  He was deployed to Iraq in October of 2007.  While in Iraq, his grandfather, who was very influential in Marius' life after his father's death early in his childhood, passed.  He was given 2 weeks leave to be with his family.  He went back to Iraq and was there just one more day before he was killed in a IED attack in Baqubah, Iraq on November 18, 2007.  He was a very brave soldier and loved what he did defending our freedom.  Marius is survived by his paternal grandmother Modesta, Mother Maribel and Brother Manny.  We love you, BOLO. 




From USATODAY.COM

PFC MARIUS L. FERRERO, ARMY
Before leaving for Iraq, Marius L. Ferrero left his brother Manny his most prized possessions: a collection of more than 200 DVDs and his PlayStation. He also left his MySpace.com password on his brother's computer. "There were signs everywhere that he wasn't coming back," Manny Ferrero said. Ferrero, 23, of Miami, was killed Nov. 18 by an explosive in Baqubah. He was a 2002 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Lewis. Ferrero grew up a fan of rap and rock music, and he loved watching movies. Among his favorites was "Scarface," starring Al Pacino. An avid reader who devoured Stephen King novels, he also enjoyed classical music. Ferrero joined the Civil Air Patrol as a student in middle school. In high school, he joined the Army ROTC. After graduating, Ferrero worked a series of retail and restaurant jobs and studied computer systems at the ITT Technical Institute. He signed up for the Army late last year. "He had a big heart and he was a good boy," said Maribel Ferrero, his mother. "He always did chores around the house. He would take out the garbage and he would go to the store to pick up milk and supplies."  via USATODAY