Running for his life: Marines remember the fallen

Photo By Cpl. Joshua Murray | Navy Lt. Steven Boe, a flight surgeon with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268, rings a bell. Its chime signals a moment of silence for each casualty during a memorial run aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Sept. 6. First Lt. Jared Landaker, a CH-46 Sea Knight pilot, and six other individuals tragically lost their lives in 2007 due to enemy action during a casualty evacuation mission.  

AL ASAD, IRAQ

09.11.2009

Story by Cpl. Joshua Murray 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — Supportive men and women gathered before the crack of dawn and trickled into the gate outside the Hero's Hall Gymnasium aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. Minutes later the small group turned into more than 250 Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and civilians.

First Lt. Jared Landaker, a CH-46 Sea Knight pilot, tragically lost his life Feb. 7, 2007, due to enemy action during a casualty evacuation mission. Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 held the 3rd annual 1st Lt. Jared Landaker Memorial Run Sept. 6, honoring Landaker and six other service members who died on that final mission.

Early risers from many different units came to show their support and offer donations to the Seven Stars Foundation, an organization founded by Landaker's parents that assists military families with educational and financial issues through scholarships and other means. Although many service members didn't know Landaker personally, many knew what it meant to lose someone they care about in combat and were more than willing to participate ... to honor the fallen.

Gunnery Sgt. Eric Shaffer, company gunnery sergeant, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, stood alongside several of his junior Marines and explained, "Participation shows the Marines' families that the support is still there." He spoke briefly about his personal experience and the friends he's lost in combat.

Capt. Bill Walker, the logistics officer with HMM-268, helped organize the event, although he had no personal affiliation with Landaker. Walker did, however, remember how Landaker's name had been highly esteemed at his training squadron.

"When I was an instructor at [Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 164], [Landaker] had left and made such a lasting impression that they still talked about him when I showed up," expressed the three-time Landaker Memorial Run participant. "I really appreciate the amount of support we've gotten from people coming out to run, and I hope that the Landaker family knows how much their son and all the members of MORPHINE one-two [the helicopter's call sign] meant to us and that we will never forget them."

Landaker's parents stay actively involved with the military by holding memorial runs in their hometown and attending other events honoring our nation's military. Laurie Landaker finds security in knowing that her son's name hasn't been forgotten.

"To have this happen again and from all branches of the service, while fighting for our freedom, is just unbelievable," she said of the run and its participants. "This wasn't just a run for MORPHINE one-two, it was a statement being made that they will always be remembered. It shows the deep devotion and dedication of the people who wear the uniform."

• Date Taken: 09.11.2009
• Date Posted: 09.11.2009 13:20
• Story ID: 38606
• Location: AL ASAD, IQ