thedrifter
12-19-07, 03:37 PM
Billboard spotlights Marine
Veteran of Iraq war received Silver Star
By Liz Neely
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
December 19, 2007
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/images/071219marine_billboard.jpg
PEGGY PEATTIE / Union-Tribune
Marine Sgt. Kristopher Kane earned one of the military's highest honors after a 2004 battle in Iraq. Tuesday, he was applauded once again – this time with a billboard dedication in downtown El Cajon. Here he cuts the dedication ribbon as his father, Douglas Kane, looks on.
EL CAJON – Marine Sgt. Kristopher Kane earned one of the military's highest honors after a 2004 battle in Iraq. Yesterday, he was applauded once again – this time with a billboard dedication in downtown El Cajon.
The 1998 Valhalla High School graduate is a recipient of the Silver Star, the U.S. military's third highest honor for valor in combat.
The billboard, which is paid for by Clear Channel, is part of the Hometown Marines program, which honors heroes in the towns they're from. The program is only about a year old and so far, fewer than a dozen billboards have gone up nationwide.
Kane's is the first in San Diego County and is on East Main Street near Prescott Promenade.
Kane, 27, said the award was for all the Marines who didn't make it back. Seeing his picture on a billboard was a little surreal, he said.
“I don't have the words for it,” Kane said. “It's an honor, but it's also very humbling.”
Kane, a member of C Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, defended his fellow Marines during a firefight with insurgents Nov. 10, 2004. His right leg was crushed during the fight.
Kane is now stationed at Camp Pendleton, where he works as a marksmanship instructor. He lives in Murrieta.
Liz Neely: (619) 593-4961; liz.neely@uniontrib.com
Veteran of Iraq war received Silver Star
By Liz Neely
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
December 19, 2007
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/images/071219marine_billboard.jpg
PEGGY PEATTIE / Union-Tribune
Marine Sgt. Kristopher Kane earned one of the military's highest honors after a 2004 battle in Iraq. Tuesday, he was applauded once again – this time with a billboard dedication in downtown El Cajon. Here he cuts the dedication ribbon as his father, Douglas Kane, looks on.
EL CAJON – Marine Sgt. Kristopher Kane earned one of the military's highest honors after a 2004 battle in Iraq. Yesterday, he was applauded once again – this time with a billboard dedication in downtown El Cajon.
The 1998 Valhalla High School graduate is a recipient of the Silver Star, the U.S. military's third highest honor for valor in combat.
The billboard, which is paid for by Clear Channel, is part of the Hometown Marines program, which honors heroes in the towns they're from. The program is only about a year old and so far, fewer than a dozen billboards have gone up nationwide.
Kane's is the first in San Diego County and is on East Main Street near Prescott Promenade.
Kane, 27, said the award was for all the Marines who didn't make it back. Seeing his picture on a billboard was a little surreal, he said.
“I don't have the words for it,” Kane said. “It's an honor, but it's also very humbling.”
Kane, a member of C Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, defended his fellow Marines during a firefight with insurgents Nov. 10, 2004. His right leg was crushed during the fight.
Kane is now stationed at Camp Pendleton, where he works as a marksmanship instructor. He lives in Murrieta.
Liz Neely: (619) 593-4961; liz.neely@uniontrib.com