Memorials set for fallen Yuma Marines
Local memorial services have been set for the two Yuma-based Marines killed last week in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Bradley Atwell's service is on Friday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. at the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma base chapel. Lt. Col. Christopher “Otis” Raible's service is on Monday, Sept. 24 at 10 a.m., also at the MCAS Yuma base chapel.
The services are limited to air station personnel, family and friends.
Atwell, 27, served as an electrical systems technician. He was from Kokomo, Ind. and a member of MALS-13. Raible, 40, was the commanding officer of the VMA-211 attack squadron. He was from North Huntingdon, Pa.
Atwell and Raible died on Sept. 15 during an insurgent attack on their southwest Afghanistan base, Camp Bastion.
“We have lost two true patriots,” said Col. Michael J. Gough, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in a statement earlier this week. “We remember, honor, and value their selfless service to this Nation and to our Marine Corps. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten. We appreciate the outpouring of sympathy from the local community and from distant friends and supporters. We are focused on caring for the families during this trying time. As always, we are also focused on our mission and will continue to train and deploy, while supporting our Marines and Sailors who are deployed.”
In addition, Pennsylvania Rep. Tim Murphy is scheduled to give a one-minute tribute to Raible in the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. on Thursday at 9 a.m. Arizona time. It is scheduled to air live on C-SPAN.
Several other Coalition service members were wounded in the attack on the Camp Bastion flight line, which also destroyed six Harrier jets, heavily damaged two more, and destroyed refueling stations and damaged hangars. Yuma's VMA-211 is the only Marine Corps Harrier squadron in Afghanistan.
Hillary Davis can be reached at hdavis@yumasun.com or 539-6857. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSHillaryDavis or on Twitter at @YSHillaryDavis.
