Marine featured on poster is killed

[thedrifter]

Marine featured on poster is killed
By Ben Hallman
Of the Post-Dispatch
07/12/2004


Marine featured on poster is killedA Marine whose likeness once watched over his hometown of Farmington, Mo., from the vantage of a recruitment billboard was killed over the weekend in Iraq in a Humvee accident.

Staff Sgt. Trevor Spink, 36, was a Gulf War veteran and career Marine who was serving his third tour in Iraq when he died Saturday. His half brother Lucas Kozloski said the family was notified Sunday morning by two Marine Corps officers who came to their door. Kozloski said they provided few details about the accident but said that an investigation was under way.

Spink was based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Neither the Defense Department nor Camp Pendleton would release any details Monday night about Spink's death.

Kozloski described his brother as a dedicated Marine and a patriot. He was single.

"He had a lot of easy jobs in the corps, but every time a war would happen, he'd sign up for the infantry," he said. "He loved it and he loved his country."

Kozloski last saw Spink about three weeks ago, before Spink left for his latest tour in Iraq. He said they had spent a few hours of every day together, talking, telling stories or riding Spink's Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Larry Lacey, 38, a former high school buddy, learned about Spink's death Monday night.

"I couldn't believe it," he said. "My heart goes out to the family."

Lacey remembers Spink as an active and cheerful kid who was always "gung-ho" to join in activities. Both graduated from Farmington High School, although Lacey was a couple of years ahead.

Lacey said he and Spink joined a police explorers program for youths interested in law enforcement. Lacey, now a sergeant with the Farmington Police Department, said that they had grown apart over the years but that when Spink was in Farmington, he would stop by with photos and stories of adventure.

"I didn't get to see him the last time he was in town," Lacey said. "I would have given anything to see him again."

Friends and family called Spink the "poster boy" for the Marines because of the billboard. A photo of Spink's face was reproduced on recruitment posters and billboards nationwide, Kozloski said.

Reporter Ben Hallman
E-mail: bhallman@post-dispatch.com
Phone: 314-340-8126

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Ellie


Rest In Peace

[thedrifter]

Pastor: Remember Spink as a hero for the way he lived his life

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Daily Journal photos by Teresa Ressel -- Staff Sgt. Trevor Spink was laid to rest Saturday after a solemn ceremony. Spink had entered the Marine Corps shortly after graduating from Farmington High School. Spink was the face of the Marine Corps from 1996 to 2000 for its recruitment posters.

By CHRIS CLINE\Daily Journal Staff Writer
DESLOGE -- Family, friends and comrades solemnly gathered Saturday to mark the last leg of the journey to the final resting place of U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Trevor L Spink Jr.

The occasion was marked by tears, pride, honor and dignity as the memory of Spink was alive and well during the ceremony. Services at the First Baptist Church of Desloge began with a slideshow photo memoir of Spink that coincided with a musical tribute.

Dr. Doug Elders, officiating pastor during the service, said it is difficult to find comfort on a day like this.

"Today is a day we can be proud of our American heritage but that doesn't make it any easier," Elders said. "Trevor leaves a country behind that is eternally grateful."

Virtues such as loyalty, honor and sacrifice are virtues that Elders said Spink lived by.

"The world is not an ideal place," Elders said. "The world is an evil place that men and women like Trevor have chosen to meet with loyalty and honor."

Spink was killed on July 10 in a Humvee accident near Fallujah, Iraq. Spink was a graduate of Farmington High School and served as the poster boy for the U.S. Marine Corps from 1996-2000.

Elders urged those in attendance not to remember Spink as a hero because he died, but because of the way he chose to live his life within a code of honor.

Today, I encourage you to remember Trevor," Elders said. "The hero that he was. This family has made the ultimate sacrifice. Don't let your memories of Trevor fade with time. Remember his smile, his touch and his heroism."

Patriotic music such as "Amazing Grace" and "God Bless the USA" were played throughout the ceremony.

After services concluded at the church, the funeral procession traveled to Spink's final resting place at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Park Hills.

At the beginning of the procession, the motorcade passed under a giant American Flag that was hoisted by a ladder fire truck from the Farmington Fire Department at the entrance of C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home.

Throughout the motorcade's route to the cemetery, traffic was stopped at every junction by police and emergency personnel who were saluting the fallen hero at every pass.

After arriving at the cemetery, Spink was carried by his comrades one last time as family and friends gathered around his final resting place.

A 21 gun salute was fired in Spink's honor followed by the playing of "Taps." As the playing of "Taps" was coming to a conclusion, a nearby church's bells could be heard in the distance marking the 12 'o'clock hour.

As the final rose was placed on top of Spink's coffin, as his comrades stood by, it became more evident than ever why the motto of the U.S. Marine Corps is "Semper Fidelis." The motto is latin for "Always Faithful." Spink was faithful to his beloved country and his comrades until the day that he died, and his comrades were faithful to him until the very end.

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Ellie

[Sgt. Smitty]

It's really a shame that in these days a Marine has to die before he gets any kind of respect or recognition. That sucks!!!!!!!!