Marine from Liberty killed in Iraq

Oct. 10, 2007, 5:35AM
Marine from Liberty killed in Iraq

Associated Press

LIBERTY — A Marine from southeast Texas who was killed in Iraq was remembered by family members and friends as a man of great faith who leaves behind six younger siblings.

Lance Cpl. Jeremy W. Burris, 22, was killed Monday while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, the U.S. Department of Defense said.

Brent Burris said Tuesday that his son was driving a patrol vehicle, accompanied by two other Marines, when they hit an explosive device hidden in the road.

He survived the initial blast and helped get the wounded Marines out of the damaged vehicle, his father said. But when he returned to the vehicle to get some equipment, a second explosive detonated and he was killed instantly, Brent Burris said.

Brent Burris said his son had lived in Liberty, about 40 miles northeast of Houston, since he was 12. After he finished home-schooling, Jeremy Burris moved to Tacoma, Wash., to participate in a Christian discipleship program. The military listed his hometown as Tacoma.

Jeremy Burris attended the non-denominational Cornerstone Church in Liberty, where he led praise and worship sessions for the youth group and was a guitar player during the main services.

"He was a precious young man who touched many lives," pastor Mike Glazener said.

Burris stayed in Washington for almost two years before enlisting in the Marine Corps about 1 1/2 years ago, his family said.

Burris was assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Brent Burris said funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

Ellie