Photo By Lance Cpl. David Hersey | A Marine pays his respects during a memorial ceremony for Staff Sgt. Andrew Stevens, a...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - More than 300 Marines and sailors with 8th Engineer Support Battalion gathered at the Protestant Chapel aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Jan. 23, for a memorial service in honor of Staff Sgt. Andrew Stevens.
Stevens, a bulk fuel specialist with 8th ESB, passed away in a car accident while on leave in Pennsylvania, Jan. 2.
With his family and friends in attendance, Marines reflected on Stevens’ life and remembered him as a compassionate, kindhearted and devoted Marine.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andria Keeler, a bulk fuel officer who served alongside Stevens, said Marines could talk to Stevens openly about things on their minds, he had a strong will to maintain mission accomplishment and loved the Corps and his family.
Throughout the ceremony, Stevens’ fellow Marines remembered him as a strong leader who was dedicated to his work.
“As a leader, [Stevens] was one of the best Marines I’ve ever known,” said Cpl. Adam W. Sproul, a bulk fuel specialist with 8th ESB. “He always put himself out there to help people, and never saw failure as an option. He was a dedicated Marine, a good friend and a great father.”
Staff Sgt. Steven J. Scalf, a bulk fuel specialist with 8th ESB, said he had worked side-by-side with Stevens over the last year and a half. He said Stevens was a balanced Marine, passionate about his work but lighthearted towards his Marines.
Sproul said he learned many lessons from Stevens throughout this career. Sproul said Stevens has instilled in him a will to succeed and a spirit to inspire every Marine that he leads.
“He once told me that if he ever went away, he would want me to keep doing what he taught me and pass on the knowledge he had given me,” said Sproul. “And that is exactly what I intend to do.”
To end the ceremony, role was called three times, only to be answered by silence. “Taps” was played and one by one the Marines exited the pews and kneeled beside Stevens’ boots and Kevlar to pay their final respects.
| Date Taken: | 01.23.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.29.2015 14:21 |
| Story ID: | 153050 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 140 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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