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2nd Recon Honors Fallen Heroes
(Junly 3, 2011) |
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| MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (MCN - 6/28/2011) —
Service members, friends and families gathered to honor and
pay respects to three fallen Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance
Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, during a remembrance
ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June
28, 2011. |
Marines, friends and family members pay their last respects to fallen Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, aboard Marine Corps Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 28, 2011. Sgt. Matthew J. DeYoung, Cpl. Sean A. Osterman and Cpl. Jordan R. Stanton were killed in action in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
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Sgt. Matthew J. DeYoung |
Cpl. Sean A. Osterman |
Cpl. Jordan R. Stanton |
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Sgt. Matthew J. DeYoung, Cpl. Sean A. Osterman, and Cpl. Jordan R.
Stanton were killed in combat during their most recent deployment to
Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
To
begin the ceremony, Marines walked to the podium and read off pieces
of scripture from the Bible to the audience. Once finished, Lt. Col.
Lawrence “Sonny” K. Hussey, the commanding officer for the
battalion, made his remarks about the Marines that had fallen.
“The memorials in Afghanistan were done, the funerals were
conducted here in the states, and time |
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has passed,” said Hussey. “But now that we have the battalion back
here at Camp Lejeune with all the families and friends in
attendance, it is fitting and proper to honor our men with everyone
together in the same place.” |
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Hussey spoke about the greatness of the three Marines and
how they had paid the biggest sacrifice to accomplish the
mission and serve their country and fellow Marines.
“I count Sean, Matt and Jordan among those warriors who had
a calling to serve,” said Hussey. “They made the ultimate
sacrifice and paid the highest cost while fighting our
nation's enemies. I give thanks that I had the opportunity
to serve alongside men such as these.”
As the
remembrance ceremony continued, close friends and commanding
officers who served with the fallen Marines were given a
chance to come to the podium and pay their respects. They
each shared a favorite story and description about one of
their fallen brothers-in-arms.
“While time will
allow us to mend and to grieve, I challenge you to remember
Jordan again tomorrow and the next day and for the remainder
of your days,” said Maj. Jake Hood, the commanding officer
for Company B, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. “Let him serve
as a daily inspiration to the way you live your life, serve
our country and lead our Marines. Do that, and we'll
rightfully honor the sacrifice made by him and his family.”
At the conclusion of the service, Sgt. Maj. George
Rabidou, the sergeant major for the battalion, stood in
front of the Marines as they came to attention and did a
role call. As he called the names of each of the fallen
Marines, there was no response and a silence hung in the
air. After several moments, the only audible sounds came
from two trumpets playing “Taps” to a battalion of saluting
Marines. |
Article and photo by USMC Pfc. Phillip R. Clark
2nd Marine Division
Copyright 2011 | |
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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