Robert H. Dembowski Jr.

I never met him. My twenty year old cousin, Robert H. Dembowski, Jr. had sacrificed his life for our country. Bobby had always wanted to join the military, knowing that one day he might be the unlucky one that got in the way of the enemy, of death.   Imagine being ten years old, your Mom and Dad come to you saying, “Your cousin was shot in Iraq. His funeral is in a few days, so talk to your teachers about missing school.” Seeing your Dad hold back his tears, fitting back the urge to break down and cry. It wasn’t easy, but knowing that being in the Army was what Bobby always wanted made it somewhat tolerable.

 

Bobby always had a passion for the military. Even when he was young he would pretend to be an officer.

Bobby always had a passion for the military. Even when he was young he would pretend to be an officer.

Bobby was born on August 10th, 1986 in Meadowbrook, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest child of Robert H. and Frances M. Dembowski, growing up with his two sisters, Janice and Amy Beth, and brother Jamie. He attended and graduated from Council Rock High School North and the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology in 2005. He enjoyed hunting with his father. Bobby had always enjoyed history and had wanted to go into the military since he was young. When Bobby was 18 he wrote a touching paper about the services, courage, and the commitment he had towards our community and nation. He delivered his message in a speech at the “dedication of World War II Honor Roll in Newtown, Pennsylvania.” Joining the Marines was Bobby’s first choice but back injuries interfered, so he ended up in the United States Army and became a PFC (Private First Class). He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Battalion, 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, and Bravo Company, 2nd Platoon.

Pvt Robert Dembowski Jr., 82nd Airborne, stands in uniform before his grandfather’s grave. Ironically, Bob would be buried mere yards from that same spot 8 months later.

Pvt Robert Dembowski Jr., 82nd Airborne, stands in uniform before his grandfather’s grave. Ironically, Bob would be buried mere yards from that same spot 8 months later.

Soon after, Bobby had been deployed to Iraq. American troops were in Iraq at the time to restore stability after the ouster of Saddam Hussein. While deployed, Bobby would joke around and make the hardest days easier to deal with. He gained the nicknames “Dembo”, “Ski”, and the one that stuck “Debo”. Bobby’s job while in Iraq was a machine gunner, driver, and radio transmission operator.  He showed fellow comrades that it would all be okay, but in the end it wasn’t. Bobby died on May 24th, 2007 after coming in contact with a small arms fire by enemy forces in Baghdad, Iraq. With his family in shock and disbelief he was buried at Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. His honors included Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Overseas Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Weapon Qualification Badge, and had achieved expert with the rifle.

Members of the Airborne Division carry the flag draped casket of Pfc. Robert H. Dembowski, Jr., out of the funeral service. Funeral for Pfc. Robert H. Dembowski, Jr., at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Richboro. Dembowski, a 20-year-old soldier, died in Baghdad, Iraq on May 24, 2007 when his unit came under small arms fire.- Courier Times photo by Bill Fraser

Members of the Airborne Division carry the flag draped casket of Pfc. Robert H. Dembowski, Jr., out of the funeral service. Funeral for Pfc. Robert H. Dembowski, Jr., at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Richboro. Dembowski, a 20-year-old soldier, died in Baghdad, Iraq on May 24, 2007 when his unit came under small arms fire.- Courier Times photo by Bill Fraser

“Bobby had a special place in his heart for the underprivileged children of the world.” His family has thus made it a point to have on-going efforts in this name. They have established the PFC Robert H. Dembowski, Jr. Memorial Fund. Donations from this fund go to Council Rock North and Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, Amiqos de Jesus (for underprivileged children), and a Wounded Warrior project.  There is even an annual fundraising event at a Phillies game in Citizen Bank Park in his honor.  Bobby had lived by the Soldier’s Creed and would always help if a comrade was in need. His family worked with local officials to establish the Robert H. Dembowski, Jr. Veterans Memorial Park in Richboro, Pennsylvania to provide a place to honor all hometown soldiers and veterans.

Robert H. Dembowski, Jr. had an impact on everyone he came in contact with, but more importantly he even impacted those he didn’t come in contact with. His commitment to helping others motivates me to do the same. He has even quoted his saying “Since when is it not okay to try and make the rest of the world a better place.”  He proved to me that if you work hard the most will come out of it. He inspired me to push toward the future and never look back. His memory has made me proud to be an American.