Fallen Marine's memory lives on thanks to viral video
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Marine Cpl Bobby Warns, killed in action in 2004
WAUKESHA - Marine Cpl Bobby Warns, 24, was killed while serving his country in 2004. Eight years later, Warns' memory lives on, thanks in part to a video tribute shot during his funeral.
"It's been seen by more than a million people," said Bridget Warns, Bobby's mother.
When planning for his funeral service, Bobby's family decided to have it professionally documented.
"We knew (the funeral) was going to be special," Bridget explained. "Marines were going to be involved (in the service), plus there was a baby on the way."
Bobby's girlfriend was pregnant with the couple's first child when he was killed. Payton, now seven years old, never met her father.
Therefore, Bobby's parents called Creative Images, the videographers who had recently taped their daughter's wedding.
"The videographers were a little surprised," Bridget said. "They said they would do it, but warned us they had never done anything like this before. I told them I trusted them."
The video went viral after the family posted it on-line. Friends, relatives, the media, and even U.S. service members were sharing it across the globe.
Even now, eight years later, the family hears from complete strangers who have seen the video online.
"We'll get an email every other week," Bridget said. "It's very comforting."
Not only does the tribute (and responses) comfort the family, but it also gives Payton a chance to get to know her daddy.
"It's wonderful to have Peyton know how much people appreciate what her dad did," Bridget said.
Click here to see the video tribute.
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