thedrifter
08-29-06, 07:27 AM
Family shares memories of Marine killed in Iraq
By John Christoffersen, Associated Press Writer | August 28, 2006
MILFORD, Conn. --Nearing the end of a grueling tour of duty in Iraq, Marine Cpl. Jordan C. Pierson was looking forward to returning home and was already making plans to go skydiving.
The 21-year-old Milford man never made it.
Pierson was killed Friday during combat operations in Al Anbar province when he was struck in the shoulder by small arms fire while on a foot patrol, according to the Marines.
"We're here to honor Jordan's memory and revere his sacrifice," said his father, Eric, as the family gathered Monday in the backyard of their home.
Pierson was awarded a Purple Heart after he and another serviceman were hit with shrapnel earlier this year when a grenade exploded near them. His unit arrived in Fallujah in late March and was scheduled to return in late October of this year.
Pierson, who spoke to his family nearly weekly by telephone, said in his most recent conversation that he was looking forward to coming home and continuing his college studies, his family said. The plans for skydiving were typical of a man who enjoyed riding a motorcycle and playing paintball.
"He was a kid who took a lot of risks. He lived life to the fullest," said his mother, Beverley.
Pierson and other Marines would sometimes spend 24 hours at a time on a mission in heat that reached 125 degrees, his family said.
"It was a serious mission and it was a draining mission," Beverley Pierson said.
Pierson will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, his family said. Funeral arrangements have not been made yet.
"If you learn anything from Jordan's example, you will have learned that he gave of himself and how will you give of yourself today," his mother said.
Pierson, a 2003 graduate of Joseph A. Foran High School in Milford, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division in Plainville. He was the second Marine from the 25th Regiment to be killed this month. Lance Cpl. Kurt Dechen, 24, of Springfield, Vt., was on a foot patrol in Fallujah, Iraq, on Aug. 3 when his unit came under fire and he was shot.
Thirty members of the military and two civilians with Connecticut ties have died since March 2002 in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Pierson's profile on MySpace.com mentioned the Marine Corps several times. He said his staff sergeant was a hero, and he wrote "Marines 4 life" at the top of his page.
A tree in front of Milford City Hall that was lit to honor servicemen and women will be darkened until after Pierson's funeral, Mayor James Richetelli said. Lights on the tree were lit the day the Iraq war began in March 2003.
The mayor ordered flags at half staff. Gov. M. Jodi Rell also ordered flags to be lowered until Pierson's funeral.
Pierson, a student at the University of Connecticut who postponed his studies to serve in Iraq, is survived by his parents and his 11-year-old brother, Ethan.
Pierson, who was not married, was studying business and considering a minor in psychology, his father said.
Kathy Hart, a neighbor, said Pierson always talked about joining the military.
"I think he wanted to go over there and do the job that needed to be done," Hart said.
Hart remembered a boy who was always running across yards with a big smile across his face.
"He always had that smile," she said, fighting back tears.
Ellie
By John Christoffersen, Associated Press Writer | August 28, 2006
MILFORD, Conn. --Nearing the end of a grueling tour of duty in Iraq, Marine Cpl. Jordan C. Pierson was looking forward to returning home and was already making plans to go skydiving.
The 21-year-old Milford man never made it.
Pierson was killed Friday during combat operations in Al Anbar province when he was struck in the shoulder by small arms fire while on a foot patrol, according to the Marines.
"We're here to honor Jordan's memory and revere his sacrifice," said his father, Eric, as the family gathered Monday in the backyard of their home.
Pierson was awarded a Purple Heart after he and another serviceman were hit with shrapnel earlier this year when a grenade exploded near them. His unit arrived in Fallujah in late March and was scheduled to return in late October of this year.
Pierson, who spoke to his family nearly weekly by telephone, said in his most recent conversation that he was looking forward to coming home and continuing his college studies, his family said. The plans for skydiving were typical of a man who enjoyed riding a motorcycle and playing paintball.
"He was a kid who took a lot of risks. He lived life to the fullest," said his mother, Beverley.
Pierson and other Marines would sometimes spend 24 hours at a time on a mission in heat that reached 125 degrees, his family said.
"It was a serious mission and it was a draining mission," Beverley Pierson said.
Pierson will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, his family said. Funeral arrangements have not been made yet.
"If you learn anything from Jordan's example, you will have learned that he gave of himself and how will you give of yourself today," his mother said.
Pierson, a 2003 graduate of Joseph A. Foran High School in Milford, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division in Plainville. He was the second Marine from the 25th Regiment to be killed this month. Lance Cpl. Kurt Dechen, 24, of Springfield, Vt., was on a foot patrol in Fallujah, Iraq, on Aug. 3 when his unit came under fire and he was shot.
Thirty members of the military and two civilians with Connecticut ties have died since March 2002 in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Pierson's profile on MySpace.com mentioned the Marine Corps several times. He said his staff sergeant was a hero, and he wrote "Marines 4 life" at the top of his page.
A tree in front of Milford City Hall that was lit to honor servicemen and women will be darkened until after Pierson's funeral, Mayor James Richetelli said. Lights on the tree were lit the day the Iraq war began in March 2003.
The mayor ordered flags at half staff. Gov. M. Jodi Rell also ordered flags to be lowered until Pierson's funeral.
Pierson, a student at the University of Connecticut who postponed his studies to serve in Iraq, is survived by his parents and his 11-year-old brother, Ethan.
Pierson, who was not married, was studying business and considering a minor in psychology, his father said.
Kathy Hart, a neighbor, said Pierson always talked about joining the military.
"I think he wanted to go over there and do the job that needed to be done," Hart said.
Hart remembered a boy who was always running across yards with a big smile across his face.
"He always had that smile," she said, fighting back tears.
Ellie