thedrifter
12-15-05, 06:37 AM
Marine Buried at Arlington Is Remembered as a Hero
By Lila de Tantillo
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 15, 2005; B03
Those who knew Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew G. Patten say that when he committed himself to something, he gave it his all. On Dec. 1, Patten, 19, gave his life for his country when he was killed in an explosion near Fallujah in Iraq.
Yesterday, Patten, of Byron, Ill., became the 203rd person killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Beneath overcast skies, Cmdr. Peter Gregory, a Navy chaplain, led the procession as a Marine honor guard from the barracks at Eighth and I streets SE in the District carried Patten's flag-draped coffin toward a wreath of red and yellow flowers.
"What is the definition of a hero?" Gregory asked mourners during his sermon. "Andrew, by any definition, was a hero. . . . When others fled, he didn't. He stood by his duty."
After the service, the flag that had covered Patten's coffin was presented to his father, Alan Patten. Other survivors include his mother, Gayle Naschansky, and a sister, Allison Patten.
On Monday, a service held for Patten at Maywood Evangelical Free Church in Rockford, Ill., drew more than 600 people.
"He has a great love for his country, for his God and for his friends," said the Rev. Larry Seagren, the church's administrative pastor. "He gave his life for all of them."
Seagren had gotten to know Patten as his youth pastor during junior high and high school and said the teenager was actively involved in the church community. He also loved outdoor activities, especially skiing, canoeing and rock climbing, Seagren said.
Patten also was endowed with an innate musical ability, learning to play the viola, trumpet, piano and guitar. As an underclassman at Byron High School, he also played football and wrestled.
Patten graduated from high school last year and joined the Marine Corps in August 2004. He served as a rifleman and was deployed to Iraq in July.
"When he wrestled, he always gave it everything he had," said dean of students Robert Baker, who had been Patten's coach.
Baker described Patten as a dedicated student with a strong work ethic and said he got along equally well with adults and students. Patten's friendly smile and respectful nature were always evident, he said.
"The fact he chose to go into the Marines and serve our country is just the type of person he was," Baker said. "We feel deeply indebted to the service he gave -- he's a hero here."
Patten was one of 10 Marines to die in the Dec. 1 attack. Others killed were: Staff Sgt. Daniel J. Clay, 27, of Pensacola, Fla.; Lance Cpl. John M. Holmason, 20, of Surprise, Ariz.; Lance Cpl. David A. Huhn, 24, of Portland, Mich.; Lance Cpl. Adam W. Kaiser, 19, of Naperville, Ill.; Lance Cpl. Robert A. Martinez, 20, of Splendora, Tex.; Cpl. Anthony T. McElveen, 20, of Little Falls, Minn.; Lance Cpl. Scott T. Modeen, 24, of Hennepin, Minn.; Sgt. Andy A. Stevens, 29, of Tomah, Wis.; and Lance Cpl. Craig N. Watson, 21, of Union City, Mich.
All 10 were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Twentynine Palms, Calif. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the unit was attached to Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
Patten's awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Ellie
By Lila de Tantillo
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 15, 2005; B03
Those who knew Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew G. Patten say that when he committed himself to something, he gave it his all. On Dec. 1, Patten, 19, gave his life for his country when he was killed in an explosion near Fallujah in Iraq.
Yesterday, Patten, of Byron, Ill., became the 203rd person killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Beneath overcast skies, Cmdr. Peter Gregory, a Navy chaplain, led the procession as a Marine honor guard from the barracks at Eighth and I streets SE in the District carried Patten's flag-draped coffin toward a wreath of red and yellow flowers.
"What is the definition of a hero?" Gregory asked mourners during his sermon. "Andrew, by any definition, was a hero. . . . When others fled, he didn't. He stood by his duty."
After the service, the flag that had covered Patten's coffin was presented to his father, Alan Patten. Other survivors include his mother, Gayle Naschansky, and a sister, Allison Patten.
On Monday, a service held for Patten at Maywood Evangelical Free Church in Rockford, Ill., drew more than 600 people.
"He has a great love for his country, for his God and for his friends," said the Rev. Larry Seagren, the church's administrative pastor. "He gave his life for all of them."
Seagren had gotten to know Patten as his youth pastor during junior high and high school and said the teenager was actively involved in the church community. He also loved outdoor activities, especially skiing, canoeing and rock climbing, Seagren said.
Patten also was endowed with an innate musical ability, learning to play the viola, trumpet, piano and guitar. As an underclassman at Byron High School, he also played football and wrestled.
Patten graduated from high school last year and joined the Marine Corps in August 2004. He served as a rifleman and was deployed to Iraq in July.
"When he wrestled, he always gave it everything he had," said dean of students Robert Baker, who had been Patten's coach.
Baker described Patten as a dedicated student with a strong work ethic and said he got along equally well with adults and students. Patten's friendly smile and respectful nature were always evident, he said.
"The fact he chose to go into the Marines and serve our country is just the type of person he was," Baker said. "We feel deeply indebted to the service he gave -- he's a hero here."
Patten was one of 10 Marines to die in the Dec. 1 attack. Others killed were: Staff Sgt. Daniel J. Clay, 27, of Pensacola, Fla.; Lance Cpl. John M. Holmason, 20, of Surprise, Ariz.; Lance Cpl. David A. Huhn, 24, of Portland, Mich.; Lance Cpl. Adam W. Kaiser, 19, of Naperville, Ill.; Lance Cpl. Robert A. Martinez, 20, of Splendora, Tex.; Cpl. Anthony T. McElveen, 20, of Little Falls, Minn.; Lance Cpl. Scott T. Modeen, 24, of Hennepin, Minn.; Sgt. Andy A. Stevens, 29, of Tomah, Wis.; and Lance Cpl. Craig N. Watson, 21, of Union City, Mich.
All 10 were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Twentynine Palms, Calif. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the unit was attached to Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
Patten's awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Ellie