The holiday season is special to many families in this country. It is a time when families get together to share gifts, meals, and family stories. We also share our hopes and dreams for the future. However, one of our military families will have an empty seat at the holiday table this year. On Christmas Eve, the Department of Defense made the following announcement:
Lance Cpl. Omar G. Roebuck, 23, of Moreno Valley, Calif., died Dec. 22, as a result of a non-hostile incident in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Please follow me below the fold to learn more about the life and sacrifice of Lance Cpl. Roebuck.
According to the military, Lance Cpl. Roebuck's death remains under investigation. Lance Cpl Roebuck was a native of Moreno Valley, CA, born in 1986. Roebuck had been a member of the Marines for just over a year at the time of his death. He had entered military service in November of 2008, and he was promoted to Lance Corporal on June 2, 2009. He served as an engineer equipment mechanic in Afghanistan.
On learning of Lance Cpl. Roebuck's death, California Governor Arnold Scharzenegger made the following statement:
Omar was a courageous Marine who selflessly dedicated his life to protecting our country, and we join all Californians in remembering and honoring his service.
The governor also noted that he and his wife Maria were saddened to learn of Cpl. Roebuck's death and that:
Together, we send our thoughts and prayers to Omar's family, friends and fellow Marines. Our hearts are with them during this difficult time.
The flags at the state capitol in California are being flown at half-mast in Cpl. Roebuck's honor.
Cpl. Roebuck received the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Lance Cpl. Roebuck was 23 at the time of his death. His family were unavailable for comment. Roebuck was the most recent of 859 US service members who have died in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan since the beginning of the war in 2001.
Bless you, Lance Cpl. Omar Roebuck, for your selfless service to our nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.
Poppies are the universal symbols of remembrance. May our nation never forget your sacrifice.
The purpose of the I Got the News Today series is to honor service members who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one.
Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and is currently maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, joyful, roses, SisTwo, a girl in MI, Spam Nunn, JeNoCo, Janos Nation, True Blue Majority, Proud Mom and Grandma and CalNM.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.