thedrifter
12-11-06, 07:13 AM
Lejeune Marine loved the military, pastor says
The Associated Press
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WIS. - A Camp Lejeune Marine killed in Iraq followed his brothers into the military and loved serving his country, a minister said during his funeral Saturday in Wisconsin.
Lance Cpl. Jesse Tillery, 19, of Vesper -- east of St. Paul and west of Green Bay -- died Dec. 2 while conducting combat operations in Iraq.
"He was so proud to be a Marine," the Rev. Milt Van Natta told mourners at Baker Street Community Church.
Tillery was a member of the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Expeditionary Force based in Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Family friends have said he was fascinated with the military from childhood and had two brothers serving with the Army -- one also on active duty in Iraq and the other a veteran of two tours there.
"He idolized his older brothers, and for him to follow in his brothers' footsteps, that was something that was hugely important to them," Van Natta said.
Tillery was also remembered for his love of reading, video games, his family and friends.
Tillery joined the Marines in August 2005 after graduating from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids.
He joined his unit in February before receiving his first combat deployment in September.
Uplifting words
Richard Ryan, Tillery's battalion chaplain, traveled from Iraq to attend the services. He said about 200 Marines from Tillery's company are serving in Fallujah and wanted to attend the funeral.
"Marines and sailors in that town are making a difference," Ryan said. "Do not ever forget [Tillery's] sacrifice."
He is survived by his parents, Martin and Kathy, brothers James and Jared and sister Joelle.
"What this family is giving to our country because they believe in our country and believe in freedom is what touched me more than anything this week," Van Natta said.
Posthumous honors
During the services, Tillery's family was presented with the Purple Heart and a certificate for Tillery's honest and faithful service. Tillery had received the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Medal before the service, according to the Department of Defense.
A memorial will be established in Tillery's name at McMillan Library in Wisconsin Rapids. He also will be honored with a memorial at the High Ground in Neillsville.
Tillery will be buried Wednesday in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
Ellie
The Associated Press
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WIS. - A Camp Lejeune Marine killed in Iraq followed his brothers into the military and loved serving his country, a minister said during his funeral Saturday in Wisconsin.
Lance Cpl. Jesse Tillery, 19, of Vesper -- east of St. Paul and west of Green Bay -- died Dec. 2 while conducting combat operations in Iraq.
"He was so proud to be a Marine," the Rev. Milt Van Natta told mourners at Baker Street Community Church.
Tillery was a member of the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Expeditionary Force based in Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Family friends have said he was fascinated with the military from childhood and had two brothers serving with the Army -- one also on active duty in Iraq and the other a veteran of two tours there.
"He idolized his older brothers, and for him to follow in his brothers' footsteps, that was something that was hugely important to them," Van Natta said.
Tillery was also remembered for his love of reading, video games, his family and friends.
Tillery joined the Marines in August 2005 after graduating from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids.
He joined his unit in February before receiving his first combat deployment in September.
Uplifting words
Richard Ryan, Tillery's battalion chaplain, traveled from Iraq to attend the services. He said about 200 Marines from Tillery's company are serving in Fallujah and wanted to attend the funeral.
"Marines and sailors in that town are making a difference," Ryan said. "Do not ever forget [Tillery's] sacrifice."
He is survived by his parents, Martin and Kathy, brothers James and Jared and sister Joelle.
"What this family is giving to our country because they believe in our country and believe in freedom is what touched me more than anything this week," Van Natta said.
Posthumous honors
During the services, Tillery's family was presented with the Purple Heart and a certificate for Tillery's honest and faithful service. Tillery had received the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Medal before the service, according to the Department of Defense.
A memorial will be established in Tillery's name at McMillan Library in Wisconsin Rapids. He also will be honored with a memorial at the High Ground in Neillsville.
Tillery will be buried Wednesday in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
Ellie