Adam J. Strain, 20

Adam was a great kid. He played baseball with my son, Justin, at N.U.. I was so heartbroke when I heard the news. He will be forever in my heart. May he and all of our servicemen and women rest in peace with God.

I knew Adam since we both entered school of infantry about 2 weeks after we both graduated from boot camp. Ever since that day, due to the first letters of our last names being so close to one another, we had been roommates, rackmates, or hooch mates. He was intensely competitive when it came to matters of Marines, and a compassionate friend when the uniforms were set aside for the day. I spoke at his memorial in Ramadi and will stand up to one statement I said that day until I die- When we were on patrol and Lcpl. Strain was taking up last man in the formation, I felt completely secure in only concerning myself with threats from the front because he had my back. I have thought about him everyday since he was taken from us and he still influences decisions I make to this day. I live life the way he would have wanted us to, the way he would have, taking care of one another.

When I first met Lcpl Strain I was a squad leader for a different squad than he was in, but I wished he was in mine and everyone in the platoon wanted him in their squad as well. The platoon was a big family but Lcpl Stain was, for some, the little brother of the family and for others the big brother, the role model and the one that simply put a smile on your face no matter what your day was like or where we were. He was the heart and soul of the platoon. The whole platoon loved him. No one could ever get mad at him for anything. Lcpl Strain always had a big smile on his face and loved his family and fiancée a lot. He always talked about them. When God called him home that hot August day he left a hole in the platoon’s heart, and in mine. I think a lot about Lcpl Strain. He died doing what he loved, being a United States Marine. He was an excellent Marine and a Hero. I will always continue to live my life and career in his memory and honor and all the other Marines that did not come home.

Semper Fi,
SSGT Salinas

My son Joseph Desantis was born in Huntinton Beach Ca. and I grew up in Seal Beach, Ca. My ex is a retired Lt Col USMC and was a CH46 pilot out of Tustin, Ca and El Toro. My son is now a 2nd Lt USMC and is at Quantico, Va. A Marine is so proud of their call of duty and I know this young man was too. He gave his life, so very precious. My heart aches for those who have lost their loved ones in this crazy war.

God Bless and RIP

I meet Adam in 2004 at the School of Infantry at Camp Pendelton Ca, we were both new to the Marine Corps and were in the Machinegunners course. He was a really cool guy and strong guy. I remember getting to know him and i asked him what is name was and replied Adam i was like no way so is mine and after that we got to know one another. After our training we went to our units. The last time i saw him was i was on base visiting another buddy and he was there and he was like whats up and we chatted for a bit and that was it. I rememeber a buddy who was out there with him Oscar Martinez told me about what happened I was like no way it never hit me totally i couldn't believe it that was the closet Marine Buddy i knew that had died. I to did my deployment out there in Ramadi and am sure i walked in his foot steps with him watching over me thank you my friend. Semper Fi Adam Strain.

Sgt Adam Martinez
USMC

Happy Memorial Day Bro you are never forgotten