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Remembering Those who Lost Their Lives
in the Iraq War of 2003 - 2006

 
 
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Riley E. Baker

   
Individuals USwww.stltoday.com -- A Marine who was a star athlete and prom king at Eureka High School and whose neighbors called him "a gem," was killed Thursday in Iraq.

The Pentagon confirmed Friday night that Cpl. Riley Baker, 22, of the Pacific area, was killed during combat operations in the Al Anbar province.

He had been assigned to the 3rd Battalion of the 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp LeJeune, N.C.

Officials of the Rockwood School District said Friday that Baker's family had contacted his former coaches and teachers with news of his death.

"We are mourning the loss of one of our outstanding young men," said Kim Cranston, spokeswoman for Rockwood. "Our hearts go out to his family and the Eureka community."

Baker, son of Grier and Lisa Baker, graduated in 2002 from Eureka High. He was a state champion wrestler, having won his weight division in Class 3A in posting a 40-2 senior season. He was also an honorable mention All-Metro linebacker for the Wildcats football team.

On Friday, friends of the Bakers gathered at the family home on a wooded, ridgetop road four miles south of Pacific. They declined to talk to reporters.

Nearby residents Carl and Brigitte Jung called Riley Baker a good young man. "He was just a gem, a great kid," Brigitte Jung said. "He was always very polite, very respectful of his elders."

Another neighbor, Loretta Weitz, said she cried upon hearing the news. She said she thought of her grandson who had died in an auto accident in Texas last fall and said, "When young people die, it's not fair."
 

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The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Riley E. Baker
Authored by: anonymous on Sunday, June 25 2006 @ 09:02 AM EDT
Riley,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!
A Fellow Marine;former member of 8th Marines
Riley E. Baker
Authored by: anonymous on Sunday, June 25 2006 @ 03:43 PM EDT
Riley, give your family the strength they are all going to need to carry this for the rest of their lives. To your mom words will never help to heal this. Just know you are not alone and it is normal to miss him forever. The pain will come and go. Time helps you to get use to it. Just remember to be proud of him and one day you will smile when you think of him... then you'll cry.
Rhonda McCarthy Proud mom of Cpl Joe McCarthy USMC KIA 9/6/04
Riley E. Baker
Authored by: anonymous on Monday, June 26 2006 @ 05:07 PM EDT
Riley-
I heard what happend to you and I started to cry. You were always such a great guy, with a big smile on your face. You will be forever missed. Eureka will not be the same with out you. My heart goes out to your family. May you be looking out for them and with them. I will miss you riley.
Love,
Lindsey Willenbrink
Eureka High School Class of 2002.
R.I.P Riley
Riley E. Baker
Authored by: anonymous on Monday, June 26 2006 @ 07:50 PM EDT
I will always love you, Riley! You will NEVER be forgotten!! You will always have a special place in my heart and I'll always remember the fun times we had together. I miss you!
~Allison Bishop
Riley E. Baker
Authored by: anonymous on Tuesday, June 27 2006 @ 02:37 PM EDT
Riley and Baker family,
You are such a charming young man, and we thank you for being the person you were, and fighting for our country.
To the Baker Family- We love all of you and our deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. Be strong, because thats all riley would want. Riley your sweet little face will be remembered always, and cherished forever.
love -Jenny, Chad and Ashley Wunsch
Riley E. Baker
Authored by: Randie Biles on Tuesday, June 27 2006 @ 05:45 PM EDT
Riley, your smile, laughter, and love of your country will never be forgotten. You paid the ultimate price so that we can all sleep safely at night. May God enjoy you as much as we all did! Semper Fi Marine!

To the Baker family, May God comfort you and give peace during this difficult time.
Riley E. Baker
Authored by: anonymous on Wednesday, June 28 2006 @ 11:04 PM EDT
Riley, thank you for fighting for our country. You will be greatly remembered. You are a hero to me and many others and thank you for giving up your life just like the lord for many others. God Bless you and the Baker Family.
*faith*
age 13, Eureka resident
Riley E. Baker
Authored by: anonymous on Thursday, June 29 2006 @ 01:20 PM EDT
Riley,

Thank you for defending our country. You will be greatly missed by many. My heart goes out to your mom (Katie) at this time of sorrow.

Suzanne
Riley E. Baker
Authored by: anonymous on Friday, July 07 2006 @ 07:25 PM EDT
Riley, thank you for everything you have done for this country. you will always be remembered and never forgotten. i am from around Eureka and everyone around here is very thankful for you.

Rileys family, i am very sorry for your lose. your son is an amazing person from what i have heard from many people.
  • Riley E. Baker - Authored by: anonymous on Sunday, November 05 2006 @ 08:42 PM EST
Riley E. Baker
Authored by: anonymous on Thursday, October 04 2007 @ 01:16 PM EDT
Riley,
i just wanted to keep you updated.
i have mandy in a couple of my classes.
she seems to be doing well.

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