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Men Who Look Death In The Face And Continue To Move Forward
(January 7, 2011) |
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SANGIN, Afghanistan (MCN - 1/3/2011)
Marines and sailors from 3rd Battalion, 5th
Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, in
Sangin, paused to honor Cpl. Derek A. Wyatt, a
team leader for 1st Platoon, Lima Company, Lance
Cpl. Kenneth A. Corzine, a rifleman in 1st
Squad, 3rd Platoon, Lima Company and Lance Cpl.
Colton Rusk, a machine gunner with Weapons
Company.
Wyatt and Rusk were killed in action, Dec. 6,
2010 and Corzine was killed in action Dec. 24,
2010.
Many Marines in Sangin attended the memorial and
paid their respects to their fallen brothers.
The short, quiet ceremony was marked by Bible
verses and prayers honoring the fallen heroes.
Final Roll was called three times for Wyatt,
Corzine and Rusk only to be |
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Lt. Col. Morris, the Battalion Commander of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment touches the Kevlar of each of the fallen Marines as a farewell, during a memorial service at Forward Operating Base Nolay, Dec. 28, 2010. Marines and sailors from 3rd Bn., 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, , paused to honor Cpl. Derek A. Wyatt, a team leader for 1st Platoon, Lima Company, Lance Cpl. Kenneth A. Corzine, a rifleman in 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon, Lima Company and Lance Cpl. Colton Rusk, a machine gunner with Weapons Company. All three Marines were killed in action while deployed with 3/5 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Photo by USMC
Cpl. Daniel Blatter |
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answered by silence. Taps followed in a final
farewell. |
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 Wyatt
was born in Canton, Ohio on October 6, 1985. He graduated from Akron East High
School in Akron, Ohio before joining the Marine Corps. His personal decorations
include the Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon.
Wyatt is survived by his wife Katherine and his brothers Andrew, Josh, DJ and
Scott.
“Cpl. Wyatt loved his job, he loved his wife and he was a mature and proficient
infantryman who led his men from the front and was well respected by everyone in
first platoon,” said Lt. Col. Jason L. Morris, Battalion Commander, 3rd
Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. "On December 6th, Cpl. Wyatt was killed by
accurate rifle fire while his fire team provided security for the rest of his
platoon."
“Cpl. Wyatt will never be forgotten.”
 Corzine
was born in Madison, Ill., on May 4, 1987. He graduated from Civic Memorial High
School in Bethalto, Ill., before joining the Marine Corps. Corzine's personal
decorations include the Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon.
Corzine is survived by his parents, Kenneth and Carla Corzine.
“Lance Cpl. Corzine enjoyed life and he never hesitated to carry a heavy load or
walk point,” said Morris. “On December 5th, he was conducting a dismounted
security patrol with the rest of his squad when he was gravely wounded from an
IED strike. Unfortunately for all of us, despite his rapid evacuation and
medical treatment, he never fully recovered and on Christmas Eve, he succumbed
to his wounds at Bethesda. Fortunately his parents were at his side."
“Lance Cpl. Corzine will also never be forgotten.”
 Rusk
was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on September 23, 1990. He graduated from
Orange Grove High School in Orange Grove, Texas. Rusk's personal decorations
include the Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon.
Rusk is survived by his parents, Darrell and Kathy Rusk, and his two brothers,
Cody and Brady.
“Lance Cpl. Colton Rusk was an outstanding Marine who was well respected by his
platoon mates and his superiors for his professionalism and his proficiency as a
machine gunner,” said Morris. “On December 6, as he swept for secondary
improvised explosive devices, Lance Cpl. Rusk was mortally wounded by accurate
rifle fire and later succumbed to his wounds."
“Lance Cpl. Rusk will never be forgotten.”
As the ceremony came to an end, Morris asked, ‘Where do we get men such as
these, men who look death in the face and continue to move forward.'
“I think fortunate for all of us; many Americans still understand that the
freedom that we enjoy is not free. These men knew that their calling was to
serve and if necessary to sacrifice everything,” said Morris. “Now, all three of
these men have been taken home on their shields as great warriors should be and
are now at rest.
“I give thanks that I have had the opportunity to serve with men such as these.” |
By USMC Cpl. Daniel Blatter
Regimental Combat Team 2
Copyright 2011 |
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Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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