thedrifter
02-04-07, 07:32 AM
Ed Tribble Reports
Tucson Marine laid to rest
Feb 4, 2007 07:07 AM
Family and friends buried a Tucson Marine with full military honors Saturday.
Corporal Juan Felipe Montellano died in January. He served 3 tours of duty in Iraq.
After coming home to Tucson a few weeks ago, he went back to Camp Pendleton in California where he died.
Military officials will only say the death of the 23-year-old is under investigation.
While his family waits to find out how he died, Saturday they honored and remembered him.
As a Marine plays taps, Juan Montellano is laid to rest.
"Juan was a very charismatic individual. He was full of joy and always wanted to put a smile on your face," says Ssgt Luis Jaramillo.
Marines fold a flag and present it to the grieving family, who try to find comfort and support, and the right way to say goodbye.
His family, friends and fellow Marines pay respects to a man who loved to make people smile.
"He was a joker, he made funny faces. He did anything to make people laugh, that's just how he was," says his father, also named Juan Montellano.
But he knew when to put his jokes aside. Marines remember a determined man who knew how to get the job done.
"He we would work late hours at times. Sometimes we would have to pull him back and get some sleep," Jaramillo says.
Between hugs and tears, and stories, they bury a man who meant so much too so many.
"He's going to missed. Not just a marine, but as a great person and a friend," Jaramillo says.
It's one last salute.
"He's looking down and looking at us and saying "That is what I like," my family be together, laughing and happy," Montellano says.
Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral.
The Marine's father says he's proud his son touched so many lives.
Ellie
Tucson Marine laid to rest
Feb 4, 2007 07:07 AM
Family and friends buried a Tucson Marine with full military honors Saturday.
Corporal Juan Felipe Montellano died in January. He served 3 tours of duty in Iraq.
After coming home to Tucson a few weeks ago, he went back to Camp Pendleton in California where he died.
Military officials will only say the death of the 23-year-old is under investigation.
While his family waits to find out how he died, Saturday they honored and remembered him.
As a Marine plays taps, Juan Montellano is laid to rest.
"Juan was a very charismatic individual. He was full of joy and always wanted to put a smile on your face," says Ssgt Luis Jaramillo.
Marines fold a flag and present it to the grieving family, who try to find comfort and support, and the right way to say goodbye.
His family, friends and fellow Marines pay respects to a man who loved to make people smile.
"He was a joker, he made funny faces. He did anything to make people laugh, that's just how he was," says his father, also named Juan Montellano.
But he knew when to put his jokes aside. Marines remember a determined man who knew how to get the job done.
"He we would work late hours at times. Sometimes we would have to pull him back and get some sleep," Jaramillo says.
Between hugs and tears, and stories, they bury a man who meant so much too so many.
"He's going to missed. Not just a marine, but as a great person and a friend," Jaramillo says.
It's one last salute.
"He's looking down and looking at us and saying "That is what I like," my family be together, laughing and happy," Montellano says.
Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral.
The Marine's father says he's proud his son touched so many lives.
Ellie