[concentric circles]

Dennis Geurin of Santee grieved at a memorial
service Friday for his son, Lance Cpl. Cory Geurin,
18, and 38 other members of the 1st Marine
Division who died in Iraq. Family and friends of
the fallen and strangers attended the service.

[concentric circles]

From another story, same source:

About 200 friends and family members today mourned 39 Marines and sailors who lost their lives during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Camp Pendleton ceremony was led by the base commander, Maj. General James S. Mattis.

"We gather together to confront the real cost for our freedom," Mattis said. "These young men shouldered their weapons and moved without hesitation against the enemy."

Thirty-nine rifles – symbolizing the dead – stood in the beaten-down grass on the parade grounds, their butts topped with helmets, their pistol grips festooned with dog tags. An empty pair of boots, each the color of desert camouflage, sat by each rifle.

"It's very emotional knowing that we are not going to see him anymore," said Kathleen Ruiz, whose husband, Eduardo, served as honor guard for their friend, Cpl. Douglas Marenco, 28. He died May 18.

After the playing of "Taps," each honor guard lifted his arm slowly in salute, then walked behind the rifles and stood at ease.

Marenco's 9-year-old son, Julian, came from Chino with his mother, Alicia, and 5-year-old sister, Isabella.

The boy wore a duplicate set of dog tags on his chest.

"It makes me comfortable," the boy said. "It's OK my dad had to die."

His father, recalled Julian, told him definitely not to join the Army.

Julie Cawley Hanson came from Utah to honor her brother, Staff Sgt. James W. Cawley. The 41-year-old was the only reservist to lose his life during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

The woman said her brother – who could have avoided deployment because he was due for surgery – knew he wouldn't return.

"This was a young man who knew he would die," Julie Hanson said. She explained that her brother left detailed instructions about his burial and long letters for his children, Cecil, 9, and Keiko, 6.

"He took all of his civilian clothes out of his closet so that his wife wouldn't have to do it," his sister said as she wept. "He gave his clothes to charity."

The fallen military man was a detective for the Salt Lake City police SWAT unit when he was called for duty, his sister said.

His Japanese wife, Miyuki, plans to stay in Utah near her slain husband's family, the sister said.

"His wife decided she wanted to stay in a country that so honors its heroes," Julie Cawley Hanson said.

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[Ben Chad]

Thanks for posting. Condolences to the families and friends of these courageous young Marines. We must never forget their sacrifice.

[Neil E. Wright]

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"The Era of Osama lasted about an hour, from the time the first plane hit the tower to the moment the General Militia of Flight 93 reported for duty."
Toward FREEDOM

[tet68]

Eternal Father...........

Semper Fi MARINES!

[Joe Marine 76]

President Bush has often said something to the effect that America's freedom is God's gift to the world. These United States Marines and possibly a number of United States Navy Sailors died so OTHERS THEY NEVER KNEW could live in freedom. Americans continue to pass God's gift of freedom to OTHERS with little or no thanks while sacrificing our brightest and bravest. But we do it because it has to be done!

God Bless them one and all, rest in peace and Semper Fi!