Memorial service held in Wrentham for former U.S. Marine and humanitarian killed in Ukraine

WRENTHAM, Mass. — More than one hundred people gathered in Wrentham for a memorial honoring Pete Reed. The former U.S. Marine and humanitarian helped save lives around the world.

“It’s absolutely amazing to see this many people out here celebrating and honoring my brother,” said Chandler Reed, Pete’s brother.

Family and friends shared memories during the memorial Wednesday, including Pete’s wife and mother.

“In my current endeavors I’ve often been asked what kind of a leader I want to be, and it was true that I wanted to be like Pete,” said Alex Potter, Pete’s wife.

After serving in Afghanistan, Reed trained to be an EMT. He then led medical teams in Iraq during the battle for Mosul, where he met his wife Alex.

“We fell in love during the battle for Mosul, where we treated thousands of casualties and saw truly horrific things,” said Potter. “We both battled our demons, but during that time we saw the best of humanity as well.”

Reed also co-founded Global Response Management, a team of medics who save lives around the world.

For the last two months Reed was helping victims in Ukraine, and on February 2, he was killed when a Russian missile struck his medical van while he was rendering aid.

“But where goes her heart when that child is gone, is it true what they say that life does go on?” Pete’s mother read a poem she wrote during Wednesday’s memorial. “It’s strange to think that your passion still beats inside many strangers whom I’ll never meet, they continue your selflessness around the globe like my sweet boy who will never grow old.”

A 33-year-old hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice to help others, Reed’s memory now lives on through the many lives he touched.

“As he said in our wedding vows, we have kissed, danced and loved across the world in so many places, but not the whole world yet,” said Potter. “Well, I will continue to carry his memory throughout the world on all the adventures even though he won’t be there in person.”

The flags are now at half-staff here in Wrentham’s Common to honor Pete Reed.

Even though he grew up in New Jersey, he has a lot of family and friends here who will continue to honor him.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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