Thursday, February 15, 2007

Freedom isn't free ... Augusta County Marine killed in Iraq

All gave some ... some gave all.

Updated....
Sad news was received this morning through the local military community that an Augusta County Marine was killed Tuesday in Iraq. Lance Cpl. Daniel Morris, 19, USMC, who graduated in 2005 from Wilson Memorial High School in Fishersville, was killed by an IED while on patrol in the Anbar Province near Haqlaniyah.

Even though 9/11 occurred before he entered high school, he was determined to be a Marine and go to Iraq. He was prepared to fight for this country. In a sad twist of irony, he had wired Valentine roses to his mother on the day she received word of his death. Scheduled to return to Rockbridge County next month, he was killed by explosives at a roadside checkpoint.

Daniel was part of the Wilson Memorial Marching Band, playing trumpet and leaving memorable impressions with faculty and students.

He is the third Marine from Augusta County to be killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We have also lost Lance Cpl. Jason Redifer, 19, USMC, of Stuarts Draft who was killed January 31, 2005; and Lance Cpl. Daniel Bubb, 19, USMC, of Grottoes who was killed October 17, 2005.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete but the family has said burial will be at New Providence Presbyterian Church.

Our community will now wrap our arms around this family at this sad time. Please say a prayer and thank them for their sacrifice for our freedom.

Update: More on Lance Cpl. Daniel Morris can be found at Staunton News Leader and Waynesboro News-Virginian.

Update # 2: Information is also available from the Richmond Times-Dispatch and WDBJ TV-7.

Update # 3: Staunton News Leader updated story 2/17/07.

Update # 4: Waynesboro News-Virginian updated story 2/18/07.

For those who have fought for it,
Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

Semper Fi.

~ PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN ~

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