We Honor and Remember:

Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard
Age: 25 years old
Hometown: Colonia, New Jersey.
Died: January 19, 2012 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit:  Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Birth: Oct. 27, 1986

Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard, 25, of Colonia, N.J., died January 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. They were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Reinhard had enlisted in the Marines in the spring of 2008 and was serving his second tour of duty overseas. He was due to return home to New Jersey in a few weeks.

Reinhard was a 2005 graduate of St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, where he played on the volleyball team. He was part of the Lucky Red Lions helicopter squadron HMH-363. The unit deployed last August to southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and is set to return home in March.

The unit's mission is to provide assault support, transport Marines and critical supplies, as well as equipment during expeditionary operations. Kevin only had a few short weeks left to his deployment when his helicopter crashed in Afghanistan, resulting in his death. It was his second deployment.

For his family and his friends he was already a hero… before he ever put on a uniform for his country. The uniform only announced to the rest of the world what a wonderful man, what a wonderful soul he was – that he was a hero for all of us.

Kevin leaves behind, to forever hold him in their hearts, his mother and father, James B. and Kathleen Rose, as well as his sister Kathleen Marie of Colonia. Extended family includes his grandparents, James R. and Mary Ann Reinhard of South River. Aunts and Uncles include Ann & John Dec of Bayville, Jack Gerrity of Oregon, Michael & Kathleen Gerrity of Brick, Mary Beth Gerrity of Colonia, John & Adrianna Reinhard of Florida, Robert Reinhard of Florida, Jeffrey Reinhard of Spotswood, Mary Ann & Andrew Rothman of Coltsneck, Lisa & Dan Kennedy of Milltown, Kurt & Kelly Reinhard of South River, Bill & Priscilla Reinhard of South River. There are also numerous cousins. He is pre-deceased by his maternal grandparents John A. & Veronica J. Gerrity of Colonia. 

Burial:
Saint Gertrudes Roman Catholic Cemetery 
Colonia
Middlesex County
New Jersey, USA

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New Jersey Run for the Fallen ~ 2023
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New Jersey Run for the Fallen ~ 2022
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Corporal Kevin Reinhard's family watering the Memorial Tree. Credit: Jessica Mazzola.

A group of 15 late members of the greater Ramapo College community were honored Wednesday afternoon at the school’s Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony. The event included a memorial to each honored person, read by College President Dr. Peter Mercer, moments of silence, a bagpipe-lead procession, and the dedication of a newly planted tree to the deceased honorees.

“The tree marks the memory of these people, who left such an impact on this college and this community,” Mercer said as family members and friends of each of the departed honorees were asked to water the tree in memory of their loved ones. The ceremony, which the college has put on every year since 2005, honored the memory of former students, faculty and staff members, trustees, and other community members who contributed to the college in some way. 

Former Ramapo College student Corporal Kevin Reinhard, who was killed in the line of duty this January, was one of the honorees. The 25-year-old Marine was one of six killed in a helicopter accident in Afghanistan. According to Mercer, Reinhard “felt the need to serve his country, and interrupted his studies [at Ramapo] to enlist in the US Marine Corps.”

The Fallen Six, HMH 363 RED LIONS were laid to rest for the final time. Capt. Daniel Bartle, Capt. Nathan McHone, Msgt. Travis Riddick, Cpl. Kevin Reinhard, Cpl. Jesse Stites and Cpl. Joey D. Logan were interned together forever.

Marines, sailors, family members and friends pay their respects on the flightline here today to six fallen Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 who were killed, Jan. 19, when their CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter went down in Afghanistan. A traditional "battlefield cross" represented each Marine, including a military aviator helmet in place of the traditional infantry helmet, a service rifle, boots and identification tags.

MARINE CORP BASE, Hawaii - Nearly 100 Marines, sailors, family members and friends gathered today to honor six Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 who were killed Jan. 19 when their CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter went down in Afghanistan.
Honored were Capt. Nathan R. McHone, pilot; Capt. Daniel B. Bartle, pilot; Master Sgt. Travis W. Riddick, crew chief; Cpl. Joseph D. Logan, aerial observer; Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard, crew chief; and Cpl. Jesse W. Stites, crew chief.
The HMH-363 “Red Lions” were deployed to Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province in August 2011 and returned to Marine Corps Base Hawaii earlier this month.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 86 
WHEREAS, United States Marine  Corporal Kevin J. Reinhard grew up in Woodbridge, New Jersey and graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen, New Jersey; and 
WHEREAS, Corporal Reinhard attended Ramapo College and Middlesex County College and in 2008 he interrupted his studies to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps; and 
WHEREAS, Corporal Reinhard was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; and 
WHEREAS, Corporal Reinhard tragically lost his life while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan; and  
WHEREAS, Corporal Reinhard was a dedicated Marine as well as a loving son and brother, whose memory lives in the hearts of his family and fellow Marines; and 
WHEREAS, Corporal Reinhard’s patriotism and dedicated service to his country and his fellow Marines make it appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to remember him and his family, to mark his passing, and to honor his memory; 
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRIS CHRISTIE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT: 
 1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Monday, January 30, 2012, in recognition and mourning of a brave and loyal American hero, United States 
Marine Corporal Kevin J. Reinhard. 
 2. This Order shall take effect immediately. 
      GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 
      26th day of January, Two Thousand and Twelve, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Thirty-Sixth. 
   
   /s/ Chris Christie 
      Governor 
Attest: 
/s/ Kevin M. O’Dowd 
Deputy Chief Counsel to the Governor