Sunday, December 04 2005 @ 06:20 AM EST
Contributed by: River97
Views: 1,138
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 www.azcentral.com
Family and friends Saturday mourned Marine Lance Cpl. John M. Holmason, a former Surprise resident killed last week in Iraq.
The 20-year-old was among 10 Marines killed Thursday after a roadside bomb tore through a patrol convoy in Fallujah.
The attack was one of the worst on American troops in months.
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Holmason worked at an Applebee's restaurant in Surprise, near Bell Road and Grand Avenue, after moving to Arizona from a small town in Oregon.
"John was an awesome human being, and this is a tragic loss," said Larry O'Daniel, a manager for the Applebee's restaurant.
"All of us who know him miss him dearly."
Holmason worked as a host and server in Surprise until he enlisted in 2004.
The Department of Defense released the names of Holmason and other bombing casualties Saturday, as attacks continued in Iraq.
Holmason's unit, based in Twentynine Palms, Calif., was attached to the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Expeditionary Force.
Holmason grew up in Scappoose, Ore., north of Portland, and graduated from high school in 2002.
Family members in Oregon said that he was proud to be a Marine and that he had aspirations of training for a special operations post.
Holmason and the nine other Marines died when insurgents set off an explosive device made from several large artillery shells as they were on a combat mission.
Eleven other Marines were wounded in the attack, although seven had returned to duty Friday. |
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I would like to say thank you to you and the nine other Marines from your unit(2/7) who were killed in that blast for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Semper Fi Devil Dog!