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Fallen EOD Marine ‘laid Down His Life for Others’
(July 28, 2010) |
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| | CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (MCN - 07/25/10) — A crowd of
service members, civilians and friends gathered for a
memorial service July 25 to honor the life and ultimate
sacrifice of Gunnery Sgt. Christopher L. Eastman, 28, of
Moose Pass, Alaska, who died July 18 while supporting combat
operations in Helmand province.
Eastman, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with
1st EOD Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine
Logistics Group (Forward), was deployed to Afghanistan in
support of International Security Assistance Force
operations. |
Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Eastman, an
explosive ordnance disposal technician with 1st EOD Company,
7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group
(Forward) died July 18, 2010 while supporting International
Security Assistance Force operations in Helmand Province.
Eastman, 28, from Moose Pass, AK, enlisted in the Marine
Corps in 1999 as a combat engineer. He lateral moved into
EOD in 2006 and deployed to Iraq in 2008. He is survived by
his wife, Rocio, and daughter, Joy. Courtesy photo |
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Eastman enlisted in the
Marine Corps in June 1999 as a combat engineer,
according to his biography. In 2006, he lateral
moved into EOD and deployed to Iraq in 2008 in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a
statement, "The death of Gunnery Sergeant
Christopher Eastman is a devastating loss for
our country. He was a brave and selfless Marine
who gave his all while serving our great nation
in uniform, and we will be forever grateful for
his sacrifice. On behalf of all Californians,
Maria and I extend our thoughts and prayers to
Christopher’s family, friends and fellow
Marines."
“He laid down his life for others,” said Lt.
Cmdr. Dennis Andrews, chaplain for 9th Engineer
Support Battalion, to a somber audience during
the memorial service. |
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A Marine pays his final
respects to Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Eastman
during a memorial service at Camp Leatherneck,
Afghanistan, July 25, 2010. Photo by
Royal Air Force Cpl. Patricia
Morrison |
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At the end of the ceremony, the slow playing of Taps began
as Marines stood solemnly at attention in honor of their
fallen brother.
Marines began to make their way to the front of the room
where a memorial display of combat boots and an upturned
rifle was placed, with a set of Eastman’s dog tags dangling
from a helmet. Marines took turns placing their hand on his
helmet, heads bowing, to quietly give their final words to
the Marine who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Eastman is survived by his wife, Rocio, and daughter, Joy. | |
Article and photo by SSgt. Jennifer Brofer
1st Marine Logistics Group (FWD)
Copyright 2010
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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