He did what was in his heart. He accomplished what he felt he was set out in life to do.
—Maria Altizer, pastor of his church
He wanted to be with his family. He wanted to finally be together without going to any more wars, any more peacekeeping missions.
—Jeniffer Burdick, widow
[He had] an unquenchable curiosity and desire to teach. He read everything he could get his hands on.
—James Huffman, father
He enlisted in 2004 because he wanted to go to Iraq...Peter wanted to make a contribution.
—Shiri Gradek, friend, quoted in a Times-Standard (Arcata) obituary
In anything he did, he wanted to achieve and be top at it. He was a champion.
—Rigo Rodriguez, in NBC San Diego
I can't wait anymore; it's time to go.
—Joseph Spence, to his family after the attacks of 9/11
He loved it. He always used to say it's an army of one because it was like a big family.
—Leroy Harris Jr., father
Hi, im Joshua Whittle but call me MD ! My family and friends mean the world to me and i would give anything for them. I love going to shows and having fun. I love my job ! I am a UNITED STATES MARINE.
—Joshua Whittle, MySpace page
One woman gave him a scarf from her head she no longer had to wear. The children ... came out and greeted them with open arms. He really believed, 'They need us.' He knew when he was going back the second time that things were different.
—Brian Bekowsky, father, talking about welcome son got when Marines first went into Iraq
Bum was the kind of guy everyone got along with. To wake up every day to go out patrolling for [explosives] so that others may be safe takes unimaginable courage and mental fortitude.
—Zheng Chen, childhood friend and fellow Marine
Total killed as of November 12, 2009:
569
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