Memorial Day - Lance Corporal Kurt Dechen, USMC

Kurt Dechen
1982 - 2006

Rank - Lance Corporal

MOS - 0311-Rifleman

Unit - 25th Marine Regiment/1st Bn, 25th Marine Regiment (1/25)

Service Years - 2003 - 2006

Some time ago, I resolved to remember the names of at least three men who had given their lives for freedom. Every year in church, on the Sunday before Memorial Day, I stand up and say their names. As I did again today.

If we don't forget them, they will live in our hearts forever.

Those who loved them, cannot forget. Theirs is a constant aching pain which reminds them of what is lost and which will not be seen again in this life.

Lance Corporal Kurt Dechen, United States Marine Corps, is one of those names.

LCpl Dechen graduated from the same high school as I did, though thirty years later. He attended the same church as I did while growing up.

His Mom and my Mom sang together in the church choir.

Together.

While I did not know Kurt personally, I did know him. He represented the very finest this nation can offer. He stepped up and served his country like so many before him.

He made the ultimate sacrifice.

This Memorial Day weekend I tip my glass to men like Kurt. I thank him, and others like him, for my freedom.

I thank my God that such men still exist.*

One of Erick's closest friends, squad member and bunkmate, LCpl Kurt Drechen was killed on Thursday when their squad came under attack while on Patrol. (Kurt is the one with the huge smile who Erick is using as a pillow.) Erick told mom that the fighting in Fallujah has been picking up because refugees are fleeing Baghdad and coming into Fallujah. With this influx of people there has been an increase in violence. Please add Kurt and his family to your thoughts and prayers and say a few extra prayers for Erick**. (Source)

Kurt's Funeral
In the church where he grew up.

Kurt is laid to rest

From the Brattleboro (Vermont) Reformer

LCpl Kurt Dechen was killed by small arms fire on August 3 - his 24th birthday - while on foot patrol in the Iraqi city of Fallujah.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Thank you Kurt.

*Yes, women too.
** Erick returned home safely to his family. The blog at the link is very good. I believe his sister wrote it while he was deployed.