thedrifter
08-10-07, 12:35 PM
More than 200 service members and civilians gathered at the Camp Kinser Chapel Aug. 1 to pay their final respects to a 3rd Marine Logistics Group Marine killed in Iraq July 24.
Cpl. James H. McRae, an organizational automotive mechanic with Combat Logistics Regiment 35, died from wounds received when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee in Diyala Province.
The 22-year-old Spring Town, Texas, native joined the Marine Corps Dec. 10, 2003. McRae was attached to 1st Battalion, 12th Marines from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kanehoe Bay as an individual augment. He deployed to Iraq in March 2007.
McRae, who extended his enlistment eight months to serve in Iraq, believed he had a duty to serve his country, said Col. Brent P. Goddard, the commanding officer of CLR-35.
During the memorial service, Goddard and Marines who served with McRae recalled his "leadership from the front" attitude.
"McRae was dedicated to the Corps, but more importantly, he was dedicated to the Marines around him," Goddard said. "He epitomized the qualities of honor, courage and commitment."
Sgt. Joe C. Wunrow, a motor transport mechanic with CLR-35 said his friend "begged to go to Iraq" until his unit finally sent him.
"McRae felt an obligation to 'get some' after the events of Sept. 11," Wunrow said. "He was a Marine who led by example. He wouldn't make a junior Marine do something he wasn't willing to do himself."
While all those in attendance paid tribute to the fallen Marine, Wunrow and others who were close to McRae used it as a time to reflect on memories they shared.
Sgt. Stephen W. French, an organizational automotive mechanic with CLR-35, remembered "Heath" as someone who entertained his fellow Marines with his humor and his guitar.
"Everyone who ever met Heath liked him," French said. "He was one of those guys who was easy to get along with."
French recalled how McRae used to introduce himself to new Marines, bursting into their room in the middle of the night, clad in a ski mask and playing AC DC's "Thunderstruck" on his guitar.
Wunrow said McRae was "a simple, shirt and jean type of guy who loved to have a good time."
Although McRae constantly changed his mind about his future plans, he never dismissed the idea of reenlisting, Wunrow said.
"He had some college, he was a gifted musician and even ran his family farm back home," he said. "There were a million other opportunities beside the Marine Corps for him. He just thought it was something he should do."
At the end of the service, Goddard said McRae had an everlasting impact on the Marines he served with and should never be forgotten.
"If we keep him in our hearts and minds, he will live forever," Goddard said. "That's what we do as Marines. We remember those who go before us."
Cpl. James H. McRae, an organizational automotive mechanic with Combat Logistics Regiment 35, died from wounds received when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee in Diyala Province.
The 22-year-old Spring Town, Texas, native joined the Marine Corps Dec. 10, 2003. McRae was attached to 1st Battalion, 12th Marines from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kanehoe Bay as an individual augment. He deployed to Iraq in March 2007.
McRae, who extended his enlistment eight months to serve in Iraq, believed he had a duty to serve his country, said Col. Brent P. Goddard, the commanding officer of CLR-35.
During the memorial service, Goddard and Marines who served with McRae recalled his "leadership from the front" attitude.
"McRae was dedicated to the Corps, but more importantly, he was dedicated to the Marines around him," Goddard said. "He epitomized the qualities of honor, courage and commitment."
Sgt. Joe C. Wunrow, a motor transport mechanic with CLR-35 said his friend "begged to go to Iraq" until his unit finally sent him.
"McRae felt an obligation to 'get some' after the events of Sept. 11," Wunrow said. "He was a Marine who led by example. He wouldn't make a junior Marine do something he wasn't willing to do himself."
While all those in attendance paid tribute to the fallen Marine, Wunrow and others who were close to McRae used it as a time to reflect on memories they shared.
Sgt. Stephen W. French, an organizational automotive mechanic with CLR-35, remembered "Heath" as someone who entertained his fellow Marines with his humor and his guitar.
"Everyone who ever met Heath liked him," French said. "He was one of those guys who was easy to get along with."
French recalled how McRae used to introduce himself to new Marines, bursting into their room in the middle of the night, clad in a ski mask and playing AC DC's "Thunderstruck" on his guitar.
Wunrow said McRae was "a simple, shirt and jean type of guy who loved to have a good time."
Although McRae constantly changed his mind about his future plans, he never dismissed the idea of reenlisting, Wunrow said.
"He had some college, he was a gifted musician and even ran his family farm back home," he said. "There were a million other opportunities beside the Marine Corps for him. He just thought it was something he should do."
At the end of the service, Goddard said McRae had an everlasting impact on the Marines he served with and should never be forgotten.
"If we keep him in our hearts and minds, he will live forever," Goddard said. "That's what we do as Marines. We remember those who go before us."