thedrifter
11-19-08, 10:19 AM
Marine, Santa Rosa native drowns off Okinawa
By B.W. ROSE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 4:22 a.m.
The body of a 29-year-old U.S. Marine who grew up in Santa Rosa has been found in waters off Okinawa in what authorities believe was a drowning accident.
Pfc. Adam J. Harwood was reported missing Sunday afternoon when he and a companion who were snorkeling off the west coast of the island were overcome by strong waves.
Local police said Harwood's friend, a 20-year-old Marine who was not identified, was able to swim to shore unharmed. Harwood's body was found two days later.
Harwood had been stationed on a Marine base on Okinawa since mid-August.
According to family members in Santa Rosa, the Marine Corps is flying Harwood's body to San Francisco International Airport on Thursday morning. Local veterans organizations are planning a vigil along Mendocino Avenue, to be timed with the military procession's arrival at about 1 p.m. at Eggen & Lance Funeral Home, 1540 Mendocino Ave.
"Adam will be greatly missed as we were most proud of him for turning his challenging life around and becoming an honorable and remarkable man," said his mother, Joan Nunes of Santa Rosa.
Harwood was born in Santa Rosa and attended local elementary schools and Herbert Slater Middle School. He left the area during high school and graduated from a school in Gladewater, Texas.
Before enlisting in the Marines in February 2006, he spent five years working on a fishing boat in Hawaii.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his father, Dale Harwood of Gladewater; his brothers, Branden Harwood and Jason Nunes, both of Santa Rosa; and his grandparents, Martin and Bernice Cornilsen of Texas.
A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Santa Rosa Memorial Park.
Ellie
By B.W. ROSE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 4:22 a.m.
The body of a 29-year-old U.S. Marine who grew up in Santa Rosa has been found in waters off Okinawa in what authorities believe was a drowning accident.
Pfc. Adam J. Harwood was reported missing Sunday afternoon when he and a companion who were snorkeling off the west coast of the island were overcome by strong waves.
Local police said Harwood's friend, a 20-year-old Marine who was not identified, was able to swim to shore unharmed. Harwood's body was found two days later.
Harwood had been stationed on a Marine base on Okinawa since mid-August.
According to family members in Santa Rosa, the Marine Corps is flying Harwood's body to San Francisco International Airport on Thursday morning. Local veterans organizations are planning a vigil along Mendocino Avenue, to be timed with the military procession's arrival at about 1 p.m. at Eggen & Lance Funeral Home, 1540 Mendocino Ave.
"Adam will be greatly missed as we were most proud of him for turning his challenging life around and becoming an honorable and remarkable man," said his mother, Joan Nunes of Santa Rosa.
Harwood was born in Santa Rosa and attended local elementary schools and Herbert Slater Middle School. He left the area during high school and graduated from a school in Gladewater, Texas.
Before enlisting in the Marines in February 2006, he spent five years working on a fishing boat in Hawaii.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his father, Dale Harwood of Gladewater; his brothers, Branden Harwood and Jason Nunes, both of Santa Rosa; and his grandparents, Martin and Bernice Cornilsen of Texas.
A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Santa Rosa Memorial Park.
Ellie