Photo By Lance Cpl. Glen Santy | Cpl. Steven Gutierrez, a squad leader with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, pays...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines and sailors of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment held a memorial service for Cpl. Chad Wade, a squad leader for 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment at the 53 Area landing zone, May 25.
“I can’t pretend to know what it’s like to loose a son or a spouse,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Reid, the commanding officer of 2/1. “The tragedy you’re feeling today is my worst nightmare.”
The Marines and sailors of 2/1 recently returned from a seven-month deployment to Garmsir District, Afghanistan. Wade was killed in action, Dec. 1, 2010, while conducting combat operations.
"The Marines and sailors lived a hard life in Garmsir,” Reid said “They went out for 24, 48 or 72-hour (patrols) at a time, and they were always taking the fight to the taliban.”
The Marines of 2/1 conducted a wide variety of missions while deployed. The missions ranged from dismounted and ambush patrols to security and route clearance.
Wade was described by his fellow service members as someone who never left a man behind. He would stay late with Marines from his squad to help them improve themselves or help with personal problems, his fellow Marines said.
“Today the Marine Corps has lost one of its best,” said Sgt. Albert Tippett, a squad leader with Echo Company, 2/1. “Cpl. Chad Wade, you will never be forgotten.”
To end the memorial, the names of the squad leaders were called out loud. The last name to be called was Wade, which was called three times to bring closure to the Marines and sailors of his unit.
Once the unit was dismissed, they stood in line to pay their respects to the battlefield memorial consisting of boots, rifle, helmet and identification tags. The service members proceeded to greet and comfort Katie Wade, wife of Cpl. Chad Wade.
“Lives of the squad were saved because of Wade’s sacrifice,” Reid said. “He will be a part of our lives, and live in our hearts forever.”
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2011 12:59 |
| Story ID: | 71772 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 559 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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