Marc Lee
Posted on 08/07/2006 7:58:15 AM PDT by RDTF
When Navy SEAL Marc Alan Lee talked to his wife last week from Iraq, he was upbeat as always, discussing their future, his SEAL team's planned return to Coronado, Calif., in October and the prospect of starting a family.
The next day the 28-year-old Lee, a petty officer 2nd class, was killed in a prolonged firefight with insurgents in Ramadi, making him the first SEAL killed in Iraq.
Two other SEALs were wounded in what a reporter embedded with U.S. troops described as an hourlong firefight between heavily armed and aggressive insurgents and a force of SEALs, U.S. soldiers and Iraqi troops.
As one of the U.S. military's most elite and secretive fighting units, the SEALs almost never reveal their missions to the public, even long after completion.
Lee's death, announced Friday by the Pentagon, is virtually the first recognition that the SEALs are involved in the battle to wrest
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
ping
Prayers up.
Marc Alan Lee
By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer, HOOD RIVER, OR News
August 5, 2006
A Navy SEAL from Hood River died in Iraq on Wednesday while saving his team members from a fierce attack by insurgents.
Marc Alan Lee, 28, was killed while on active duty in Ramadi. His mother, Debbie Lee, said her son staged an offensive diversion in a moment of crisis. He reportedly made the decision to sacrifice his life after another SEAL was hit by sniper fire and several men were trapped inside a building.
“It was so like Marc to give up his life to save his friends. I am so proud of him — he is my hero,” said Lee.
She said Marc lived with a strong Christian belief that he was here to make a difference for the good. It was that commitment to God that led her son into the military. And then gave him strength during the grueling training to become a member of the elite Special Forces team.
“He’s up in heaven now and I can get through this because I know that I will see him again. It’s the here and now that’s hard,” said Lee.
Marc was home schooled for much of his education. But also attended Horizon Christian School and played soccer with the Hood River Valley High School team. Four years ago he married Maya Elbaum and they made their home in New York.
Debbie, who moved to Arizona in December, said a local memorial service could be planned once all of the details of her son’s burial are decided upon.
“Marc touched lives everywhere he went because of the person that he was. He will be missed,” she said.
Lee said in spite of coping with the grief of losing a beloved son, she still believes that America needs to be engaged in the war on terrorism. She said it was his patriotic desire to defend his countrymen that led Marc into the fatal battle. Out of respect for him, and other military members making the ultimate sacrifice, Lee said the job needs to be finished and not abandoned.
“I still believe it is right for us to be there. I wish the media would do a better job of reporting on the good things that are happening for the Iraq people because of us,” Lee said.
Until recently, Lee’s oldest son, Kris, 32, was also on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps. Her son-in-law, Chris Wells, is an Army veteran.
Debbie Lee owned and operated Kids R Us, a private pre-school and kindergarten from her former Barrett Drive home for years.
I just hope the SEAL didn't fall due to a seconds hesitation when mentally reviewing his PC engagement checklist.
"Marc was home schooled for much of his education. But also attended Horizon Christian School and played soccer with the Hood River Valley High School team. Four years ago he married Maya Elbaum and they made their home in New York."
I hope every American can hear this story. He was a fine young man who any American would be proud to call a son. I wish his family well and I am truly sorry for their loss. May he RIP.
Rest in Peace sailor
Give it a rest. Some of you people have absolutely no class.
Rest in peace, brave sailor. A grateful nation will never forget, and may God comfort your loved ones.
We will never have enough of these great men. His irreplaceable loss is tragic to his family but is also felt by his country.
Our family condolences and prayers.
Our hearts feel your loss
http://www.u-wes-a.com/vidclips/Tribute%20song%20first.wav
song last full measure of devotion with military taps
Twelveth generation American Patroit
Family fought in the American Revolution, Battle of Wilderness, WWI WWII Korea with loss
Patroit Guard Standing by in Naperville
marine corp band
http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/downloads/audio/marines_hymn.mp3
Was expecting an account of the battle with maybe even some information on terrorist casualties. But instead and as usual, it's another LA Times' "The insurgents are invincible and can inflict casualties on the US with impunity" story.
Thank you Sailor for your love and service to our country.
You will never be forgotten. Prayers up for the family that they may be comforted at this difficult time.
I still don't get what sailors are doing out in the desert. It seems like a misuse of the SEALs to station them in Iraq instead of conducting amphibious operations against countries with coastlines and waterways like Iran, North Korea, Lebanon, and Syria. I guess I'm just thinking of the Charlie Sheen movie.
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