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May 07, 2006

Angels on the battlefield

This afternoon, I was privileged to attend the funeral of an American hero. Petty Office 3, Marcques J. Nettles was remembered with tears and laughter by friends and family who gathered to say goodbye. Marcques was deployed with 1st Combat Logistics Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I MEF, Camp Pendleton, Calif. On April 2, 2006 Nettles was travelling with seven Marines when the truck they were in rolled over in a flash flood near Al Asad, Iraq.

• Cpl. David A. Bass, 20, of Nashville, Tennessee.
  
• Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Gallagher, 27, of Jacksonville, Florida.
  
• Cpl. Brian R. St. Germain, 22, of Warwick, Rhode Island.
  
• Petty Officer 3rd Class Marcques J. Nettles, 22, of Beaverton, Oregon.
  
• Lance Cpl. Eric A. Palmisano, 27, of Florence, Wisconsin.
  
• Lance Cpl. Felipe D. Sandoval-Flores, 20, of Los Angeles, California.
  
• Staff Sgt. Abraham G. Twitchell, 28, of Yelm, Washington.
  
• Cpl. Andres Aguilar Jr., 21, of Victoria, Texas.

In a memorial service held inside the Al Asad base garage on April 18, hundreds of U.S. service members and civilians remembered the fallen troops. Staff Sgt. Jim Goodwin was there:

Standing atop the backside of a large, military flatbed truck behind a wooden podium, Lt. Col. Drew T. Doolin, the unit's commanding officer, spoke of the Marines' sacrifice and offered words of encouragement to those in attendance.

"We honor them best by remaining steady in our resolve, in our professionalism and in our faith in each other," said Doolin, whose comments opened the hour-long ceremony. "They will not be forgotten."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and many friends who grieve their loss," said Doolin.

Nestled underneath an open, steel-roofed area where normally a large, military truck would be, Marines and other attendees sat and listened as Marines and sailors took turns speaking of the fallen Marines and sailor.

"They died doing what they love, and they are deeply missed," said Capt. Carrie M. Pendroy..

And Corpsman Nettles was remembered by the sailors and Marines with whom he served:

Always the one to find good in any situation, Nettles was recalled by fellow Navy corpsmen at the service, a person who "never backed away from a challenge," and was always willing to help a fellow Marine or sailor.

"He made me realize that there is still good in the world, you just have to look around for it,"said Hospitalman Jorge Arreola, who worked with Nettles at CLB-7's medical clinic. "If you were searching for hope or just a piece of mind, all you had to do was look at his smile."

"If someone came back from a convoy in a foul mood, he'd be the one to greet him with a smile and ask, 'Do you want to talk about it?' offer a drink, and let the guy vent," said Petty Officer 1st Class David A. Pope, who also worked with Nettles at the battalion's medical clinic. "By the end of it, they're both laughing and things are good. He was a good man and friend."

In today's ceremony, Marcques was described by his football coach, Bob Corey, as having the biggest heart on the field. He described a pivotal game, when Marques was a sophomore and sprained his ankle shortly before the game. Despite his injury, he was a one-man offensive force and carried the day for his team. Corey said that every team, every class at Westview High School will know about Marcques Nettles. His legacy will live on.

Christina Mullen, who first met Marcques in 7th grade, spoke of an instant bond. They dated in high school - she was a cheerleader and he was co-captain of the football team - and there was never anyone else for either of them. After high school, they married and he joined the Navy. With tears on her face, she spoke of his "amazing smile" and the love they had for each other. She thanked Marcques for "every laugh and every tear, too many fishing trips, and for getting up to make me coffee even though he didn't drink it."

Marcques' brother Curtis, also a sailor assigned to Camp Pendleton, spoke of growing up with Marcques - fishing, golfing, snowboarding, and finally enlisting in the Navy - and looking forward to being stationed together at Camp Pendleton. He finished by singing In the Lord's Arms by Ben Harper:

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, a former Marine, spoke of how Marines cherished their Corpsmen - the only non-Marines authorized to wear the prized Eagle, Glove and Anchor - as angels on the battlefield. And Curtis Sr. and Suzie Nettles, Marcques parents, shared their recollections of a son who brought something special into every life he touched. Suzie remembered his prayers as a young child with a speech impediment . . . "Oh Lord, take care of them that they not twip and bweed". And he carried that concern into his professional life as a Hospital Corpsman. Curtis's pride in his son was evident - there were few dry eyes in the sanctuary as he sang Proud to be an American and I Can Only Imagine.

There'll be a party in Heaven tonight as one more soul is welcomed into the Kingdom where the best and brightest guard golden streets.

Posted by Deb at May 7, 2006 10:18 PM

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Comments

dear marine corps moms, i was at that funeral also, and it was a wonderful rememberence of who he was, not just a navy coreman, but a good decent person who believed in helping people. PO3 nettles will always be missed and never forgotten in anyones mind. his legacy will never be forgotten. its amazing how one persons good deeds can touch so many people in more than one way.

Posted by: pvt robert appling at May 8, 2006 08:20 PM

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