 Charleston Daily Mail -- WEST UNION -- A West Virginia soldier was killed in an explosion while surveying buildings in Iraq, his mother said.
Jason N. Marchand of Greenwood, an infantry soldier with the U.S. Army, had called Debbie Parsons, his mother, three days before he was killed on Oct. 5 in North Baghdad. "He didn't like it over there, but said, 'This is my duty because I have to protect my family.' And he had to be there with his soldiers; he said his buddies needed him,'' Parsons said Monday.
"He said, 'I am going out there (on special assignment) for two weeks.' He said, 'Mommy, I love you' and I said, 'I love you too,' she said.
Marchand, 26, was a 2000 graduate of Doddridge County High School, where he was a member of the football and track teams.
"He was a good all-around kid,'' said Dan McConnell, who was Marchand's football coach. "He was a good student, a good human being and he would do anything you asked of him.''
"When it hits home, it hits you hard,'' McConnell said. "You don't think about things like that until it happens, and it is a reality that you have other guys out there, not just him. It is always on your mind, and you hope that they come home. He is going to be missed by a lot of people.''
Spurgeon Funeral Home in West Union is in charge of funeral arrangements. |
I would like to say thank you to you and the other soldier who was also killed in that blast for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
"Tojours Pret"(Always Ready)
2nd Cav Motto