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Benjamin DeWayne Williams |
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Friday, June 23 2006 @ 08:02 AM EDT
Contributed by: tomw
Views: 952
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 KDFM-TV -- The family of a Southeast Texas Marine killed in Iraq says he once told the family he was born to serve this country.
According to the Department of Defense, 30 year old Benjamin DeWayne Williams of Orange was killed Tuesday in Al Anbar Province.
 Family members tell KFDM News he died from injuries he received after a land mine exploded near him.
The Defense Department says two other marines in Williams' battalion were also killed Tuesday, 23 year old PFC Christopher White of Southport, North Carolina and 20 year old Lance CPL Brandon Webb of Swartz Creek, Michigan.
Funeral arrangements are pending for Williams, but plans are underway for a memorial service in his honor at LC-M High School.
"If anyone was born to be a Marine it was him," says Williams' former coach, David Williams.
30 year old Benjamin Dewayne Williams spent more than 11 years serving this country as a Marine.
"He once said he was born to do this. He loved what he did. I don't think he would have wanted to be anywhere else," says Williams' step-sister, Rachel Doucet.
The 1994 graduate of Little Cypress Mauriceville High School joined the service immediately after graduation.
He was serving his third tour of duty in Iraq.
"Mostly his thoughts were, this is what he was meant to do. This is who he was," says Williams' step-sister, DaVina Santerre.
And while he was there, his step-sisters say he tried to convince the family he was safe. He gave them encouraging words to put their mind at ease during his mission in Iraq.
"He told us the worst thing that happened to him was a bull chased his and it was a nice story and it may have happened but I knew it was a story that it was not so carefree like that. So, he always tried to make us feel like he was okay where he was at," says Santerre.
The Defense Department says Williams and two other soldiers were killed during combat in Iraq Tuesday.
Williams' family says he died from injuries when a land mine exploded near him.
"He was very proud to be a Marine and he was very proud to go and fight and he did lose his life but he lost it doing what he wanted to do," says Santerre.
That thought comforts Williams' family. They say he was a career Marine and would have served in the armed forces as long as he was allowed.
Now his memory will serve this country, as a man who risked his life for the freedom of others.
"You know when they have that saying, the best of the best, well DeWayne really was the best of the best and it's really a shame we have to lose those kind of people to defend this country but I know that was something he was proud of and his family was proud he was serving this country and doing his job. I think he is an American hero," says his former LC-M football coach David Williams.
"I'm very proud to call him my brother and he definitely is one of my heroes," says Doucet. |
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I would like to say thank you to you and the two other Marines who were killed in that blast with you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Semper Fi Devil Dog!