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A commemoration of Lt. Col. Christopher K. Raible, former commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron 211, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, stands within the halls of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma‘s chapel, Sept. 24. Raible, 40, a native of North Huntingdon, Penn., died while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Sept. 14. A dedicated aviator, Raible amassed more than 2,000 hours in the AV-8B Harrier. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Hundreds of service members, family and friends pay their respects to Lt. Col. Christopher K. Raible, former commanding officer, Marine Attack Squadron 211, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during his memorial service at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma’s chapel, Sept. 24. Raible, 40, a native of North Huntingdon, Penn., died while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Sept. 14. A father and husband as well as an accomplished aviator, Raible served the Corps faithfully for 17 years.

Sgt. Bradley W. Atwell, 27, of Kokomo, Ind. was honored during a memorial service at the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Chapel on Sept. 21. Atwell served with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing as an avionics technician and died Sept. 15 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. His awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and NATO-Service Medal-International Security Assistance Force.

So many Marines, soldiers, and airmen have been killed and wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan in the past ten years. These two stand out in my mind due to their connection with my oldest Marine. I read the words of the squadron and think of my son Nathan. I think that if he had been approved his deployment extension he could have been in that hanger, instead of just returning home from Nebraska on post deployment leave.

It takes my breath away. They are a reminder of how it could of been his funeral. Nathan served with these men in Afghanistan and my heart goes out to their families and friends.

Families of Marines live in silent fear their loved ones will pay the ultimate sacrifice.  It’s unspoken, yet lies in the heart of every Marine Mother, wife and family member. Thank you to every service man and women and their families who support them.

The above information and photos were found on the MCAS Yuma AZ facebook page.

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