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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay (11/2/2012) - Three
pedestals of wood, three pairs of combat boots, three rifles, and
fond memories — these items were but a mere representation that
paled in comparison to the three missing sons of 3rd Marine
Regiment. Family, friends and fellow service members bid one last
farewell to their loved ones during a memorial service at Dewey
Square, Monday.
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Marines with 3rd Marine Regiment render a salute to the fallen
during a memorial service at Dewey Square, Oct. 29, 2012. Marines,
sailors, families and friends attended the 3rd Marine Regiment
memorial to honor the lives and service of Dickinson, Cpl. Richard
Rivera Jr., and Lance Cpl. Gregory Buckley. The Marines were killed
in action while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan, Aug.
10, 2012. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Kristen Wong
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The two-dimensional likenesses of Staff Sgt. Scott E.
Dickinson, Cpl. Richard A. Rivera Jr. and Lance Cpl. Gregory
T. Buckley seemed to smile at the large audience of loved
ones, who brushed away tears.
Even thousands of miles
away, commanders and senior enlisted leaders with III Marine
Expeditionary Force observed a moment of silence for them
aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan that same day.
All
three were killed Aug. 10, while serving in Afghanistan.
Dickinson, Rivera and Buckley each posthumously received a
Purple Heart medal, which was presented to their families.
Dickinson, 29, of San Diego, enlisted in August 2001.
During his last deployment, Dickinson served as the senior
enlisted logistics adviser to the Garmsir District Police in
Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Roger Ruiz approached the
podium, and told the story about Dickinson. He hadn't had a
decent meal in seven months and upon finally being able to
eat luscious food, he went for the cake first.
Ruiz
who served as the battalion food service chief in
Afghanistan, said Dickinson helped him through the check-in
process when he was a new Marine at the S-4 shop.
“He
was someone I could count on for anything no matter what it
was, no matter what time of day it was,” Ruiz said. “Giving
me a ride, watching my dogs or helping me out with something
at work.”
Rivera, 20, of Ventura, Calif., enlisted in
July 2010. While deployed, Rivera served as a security team
gunner and precinct adviser for the Garmsir District Police
Adviser Team in Afghanistan.
“No matter what job he
had, he would never complain,” said Lance Cpl. Jake Prochnow,
who, like Rivera and Buckley, was also a security team
gunner and precinct adviser for the Garmsir District Police
Adviser
Team in Afghanistan.
“He made sure it was
always done right,” Prochnow added. “He would never leave a
job incomplete.”
Rivera's mother, Linda, attended the
service with other family members.
“He's a very
special person,” she said of her son.
Prochnow
described his friend as “super motivated” and “the best in
the shop.” He added that Rivera's section valued his
exceptional work so much that it was difficult for Rivera to
deploy.
“He really is a great person,” Prochnow said.
“Amazing, selfless, loyal, dedicated and compassionate ... I
love you Richie.”
Buckley, of Oceanside, N.Y.,
enlisted in the Corps in August 2009. The 21-year-old served
as a security team gunner and precinct adviser of the
Garmsir District Police Adviser Team in Afghanistan.
Speaking on his behalf, 1st Lt. John P. Rose recalled how
eager Buckley was to be deployed. Rose was the Headquarters
Company supply officer while deployed with Buckley.
Lighthearted laughter spread like tiny rays of sunlight on a
dark day, as Rose remembered this young, humorous Marine who
challenged him to races on the beach and taught friends how
to dance “The Dougie,” a hiphop move.
“He'd open up
to us about his girl issues, how he saw life when he grew
old. Greg had dreams of one day being a police officer,
being a husband and a father ... ” Rose said.
Dewey
Square became quiet for a few moments.
“... and have a
big house in the suburbs, walking his son to school by the
hand,” Rose said. “I remember Lance Cpl. Greg Buckley as
being extremely proud. He was proud to be from New York ... he
was proud of being an American and to serve his country.
Lance Cpl. Buckley was proud to be a United States Marine.”
As the service members rendered salutes, three shots
cracked from the rifle detail, followed by buglers playing
“taps.” Attendees lingered after the service to pay respects
to their loved ones.
“Each of these men served their
entire careers in the Marine Corps during a time of war.
Each of these men served honorably,” said Col. Nathan I.
Nastase, the commanding officer of 3rd Marine Regiment.
“Each of these men willingly accepted the call to deploy
into harm's way without hesitation ... we stand together with
(the families) in (their) time of grief and our thoughts and
prayers have been and will remain with (them). Our fallen
brothers will be remembered forever.”
By USMC Kristen Wong
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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