Spread the Word: Iraq-Nam

Spread the Word: Iraq-Nam

Monday, January 01, 2007

Christopher E. Esckelson killed during combat operations

VASSAR - Today would have been U.S. Marine Cpl. Christopher E. Esckelson's birthday.

But he won't turn 23.

The Vassar man died Thursday in a firefight in Iraq, trying to root insurgents out of war-torn Fallujah, his parents said.

''He was a squad leader in charge of 12 guys, and he was pulling one of the injured guys out of the way, and he took a direct hit. Game over,'' said David Esckelson, 48, of Vassar, Christopher Esckelson's father.

''He called me two days before Christmas and told me he was going on a five-day mission, and that's the one he didn't make it back from,'' David Esckelson said. ''He told me 'Merry Christmas' and he said he'd call me back in a couple days after the work was done.

''But I never got the call.''

Christopher Esckelson knew the risks, and saw the horror, of war after arriving in Iraq in September. But fear ''wasn't in him,'' his father said.

''After the elections here in November I said 'Son, the Democrats took over - what do you think about coming home?''' David Esckelson said.

''He said 'Dad, I ain't coming home. I gotta pay these SOBs back.' The second week he was there, a humvee got blown up right in front of him, and it turned him into a very, very angry Marine.

''He was very, very angry to see his fellow Marines injured. He said 'Dad, there's no training they can give you to help you see your fellow Marines blown to pieces.'

Funeral services have yet to be set for Christopher Esckelson, a 2002 graduate of Vassar High School. The Marine's remains won't arrive back in Vassar for at least a week, according to his father.

Esckelson wanted to be a doctor. He had attended classes at Delta College and joined the Marine Corps Reserve as a way of earning money to pay for school, but that was only part of his motivation.

''He wanted to be a Marine,'' his father said.

Christopher Esckelson's mother, Michelle ''Mitzi'' (Lich) Hill of Vassar, said she didn't want her son to join the Marine Corps after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

''He just said 'Oh no, I'll be a Marine. That's what I want to do,''' Mitzi Hill said. ''He didn't follow everyone else. He was a leader.'' Christopher Esckelson is survived by his parents and by a brother, Craig Esckelson, and a sister, Kerry Esckelson, both of Vassar.

Word of Esckelson's death spread to barber shops and restaurants around Vassar, population 2,700, on Friday.

''You hate to see one of your hometown boys get killed,'' said Charlene Karr, owner of Karr's Kafe, whose 24-year-old nephew, Marine Cpl. Anthony Morgan of Vassar, returned from duty in Iraq two months ago.

Fallujah, where Christopher Esckelson died, ''is a very dangerous place, with mostly snipers there, and when we were there that was the main threat, the snipers from higher buildings,'' Morgan said.

David Esckelson said his son was in a group of about 150 Marines living in a train station in Fallujah, where conditions were far from ideal. For example, he said soldiers showered by standing under an elevated bag of water.

''My son was a warrior, and that's not just a father talking,'' David Esckelson said. ''He ran a 'saw,' a fully automatic weapon with 1,000 rounds in it. You pull the trigger once and it shoots 35 times within five seconds.

''He was actually carrying two guns at the same time. He looked like ... Rambo, I'm telling you. He had a 10-round rocket launcher and he'd carry that, too.

''He was in a 12-man SWAT team, and in Fallujah. It was definitely front-line stuff. It wasn't guarding the water cooler.''

From the Bay City Times

Christopher E. Esckelson

Tuesday, January 02 2007 @ 07:54 AM MST Contributed by: River97 Mlive.com --VASSAR -- The Esckelson family is mourning the death of Marine Cpl. Christopher E. Esckelson in Iraq -- yet thankful the injuries to his second cousin, Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Ricky "Rick" E. Esckelson, aren't life-threatening. "Chris always wanted to be a Marine," said his father, David E. Esckelson, 48, of Vassar. Chris Esckelson lived for the Marine Corps motto of Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful. He had his own creed: Semper Auxiliarius (Always Helping), his father said. "He eventually wanted to be a doctor and was saving money to become one," he said. Meanwhile, Ricky Esckelson is mending while awaiting word whether he will recuperate in Germany or try to heal where he in Iraq, his family said. Ricky Esckelson, who turns 54 on Thursday, is a former Marine who joined and retired from the Army Reserves before re-enlisting in the Army Reserves. He suffered injuries, possibly Monday, in a mishap a few miles from where Chris Esckelson died, family members said. Chris Esckelson died while helping fellow Marines -- killed by a direct hit to his torso from enemy fire in an intense firefight, his father said, relaying to The Saginaw News what military personnel told him. "From what I was told, six went down," he said. "My son was a squad leader and was trying to help his men -- he was trying to get a fellow Marine to safety when he was hit. He was pronounced dead within three minutes of getting hit." Serving with the 1st Battalion of the 24th Marines in Iraq, he died around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, three days shy of his 23rd birthday. David Esckelson was fishing Thursday on the banks of the Saginaw River with friends when he got a cell phone message that Marines were at his home looking for him. "My heart just dropped," he said. "As a dad with a son in the Marines, that's what you always fear -- that the military will come. "Well, they definitely came. There were five of them. They're quite a group." David Esckelson's former wife -- Chris Esckelson's mother -- Michelle "Mitzi" M. Hill, 48, of Vassar, works as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and was on her mail route when she got a call from her co-workers. "The military showed up at my house, where my mother is staying with us," Hill said. "My mother told (the Marines) where I work, and they went there. The clerks there called me and asked where I was, saying they need to bring me something. "I just knew it was bad news -- my mom or my son -- because there was nothing they had to bring me. So they came and got me." Hill, in turn, broke the news to her son's girlfriend of three years, Samantha Reasner, 19, of Owosso. "She was over (Thursday) night. She was a mess at first, but she's doing better now." Hill said she didn't want her son to enlist. "He wanted to earn money for college," she said. "We were worrying about what might happen. "But he said, 'Nope, I want to be a Marine.' That was what he wanted. "He was a very smart kid, I feel he could have gotten scholarships if he applied himself. But he said even if he graduated valedictorian, he still would have joined the Marines." Chris Esckelson loved sports, she said. In high school, he was outfielder and catcher for the baseball team for four years, was defensive tackle on the football team for four years and played basketball for two years. He was also an avid hunter, bagging deer and turkey and planned to go bear hunting with his father and brother, Craig E. Esckelson, 19. The brothers have a sister, Kerry M. Esckelson, 17, a junior at Vassar High School. The family attends St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Richville. Chris Esckelson graduated from high school in spring 2002 and in October joined the Marines, Hill said. In between, he took classes at Delta College. He shipped over to Iraq at the end of September and was supposed to return in April. For his birthday, today, his mother e-mailed him that she was going to treat him to dinner and shopping. "I was going to take him to Zehnder's restaurant, where he worked as a waiter, and then to Abercrombie & Fitch (at Fashion Square Mall) to go clothes shopping, since he worked there, too," she said. "He always liked to look sharp. "He was a go-getter, a leader. He was outgoing, was well-liked, had lots of friends and loved by lots of family," she said. "He believed in what he was doing. His proudest thing was to be a Marine." Now, the family is making funeral arrangements. Members plan to contact Martin Funeral Home in Vassar for services, with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Vassar. "That's the trouble with the military," David Esckelson said. "They can send (my son) to the front lines in a day-and-a-half, but it takes seven to 10 days to bring him home. "That's going to be a long seven to 10 days. "He was a hero," his father said. "He was definitely a hero. "He was more than a son; he was my best friend." 'What I was trained to do' Jean C. Esckelson, 52, of Vassar, Ricky Esckelson's wife, said her husband was stationed at a gate, and was opening it to let a truck and trailer through. "The wind caught one of two gates there and when he went to push it open, the other gate swung closed, caught the trailer and tipped it over onto him, pinning him under it" she said. "He had his back to it, and it forced his knees to bend when it hit him. If he were facing it, it would have broke his legs when it forced them backwards." Storms have grounded any transportation out of the country for now, she said. "He's always been obsessed about serving his country," she said. "He missed Desert Storm because the Army messed up his paperwork twice and wouldn't let him go. "He kept screaming that that is what he was trained for, he was assigned to a howitzer. "My son even said, 'Mom, can't we just buy him a ticket and send him there?' "Now he's a supply sergeant, and they send him."

Published: January 14, 2007 Send to a friend 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment Honors Three Fallen Marines by Lance Cpl. Stephen McGinnis Marines with 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment paused to honor three Marines who gave their lives for the cost of freedom. Lance Cpl. David Hertiff, pays his last respects to three Marines from B Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, who were killed in action Dec. 28. Marines from the battalion gathered at B Company's forward operating base to pay respects to Cpl. Christopher E. Esckelson, Lance Cpl. Nicholas A. Miller and Lance Cpl. William D. Spencer. The Marines were killed conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar Province, Fallujah, Iraq, in direct support of Regimental Combat Team 5. (photo by Lance Cpl. Stephen McGinnis) The unit held a memorial service for Cpl. Christopher E. Esckelson, Lance Cpl. Nicholas A. Miller and Lance Cpl. William D. Spencer at B Company's forward operating base Jan 6. Esckelson was a 22-year-old rifleman from Vasser, Mich., Miller was a 20-year-old rifleman from Clifford, Mich., and Spencer was a 20-year-old rifleman from Loveland, Ohio. Esckelson and Miller were both assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment. Spencer was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, but was activated and joined the Marines of B Company in June 2006. The Marines were killed Dec. 28, while conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq with Regimental Combat Team 5 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. "We are here today to honor the service and sacrifice of these three Marines," said Lt. Col. Harold Van Opdorp, a 39-year-old battalion commander, from Stafford, Va. "December 28th and the days that followed were trying days; I was never more proud of 2nd Platoon than on Dec. 29," Van Opdorp said. "I had to wait for them to return because they were right back out in Fallujah conducting operations. You clearly show you are not sunshine soldiers. Your fortitude to rejoin the continuing battle that we face without question is the best way to honor these Marines." Marines who knew the fallen spoke about the great qualities they possessed and of the fond memories they shared together. "Esckelson led his squad with the leadership and charisma that is given to only a blessed few," said Maj. Jeffrey O'Neill, B Company's commander. "He could, and often did, light up rooms with his stories." He was remembered by his friends as a kind friend and fun to be around. "There are no words for me to sum up the life of such a great friend, man, and Marine," said Cpl. Todd Pirich. "No matter what kind of mood you were in he could always make you laugh. He touched the lives of all that knew him." Spencer was remembered for his selfless acts the day he was killed. "He gave his own life in order to pull his wounded squad leader to safety," O'Neill said. He was also remembered for his intelligence and his kindness "I first met Spencer 10 years ago as a kid when he moved to Tennessee," said Lance Cpl. Noah Melton. "He had a brilliant mind and was very smart growing up. "There were nights when I would have trouble doing my math homework," he added. "Sometimes it would be 3 a.m. and he would wake up and he would help me with the problem." Miller was remembered for being shy, but never complaining about any task given to him. "Miller was a great Marine; he wasn't a complainer and took everything in stride," said Lance Cpl. Daniel Hertiff. "He was rough around the edges, but was a good Marine and I am glad I had the opportunity to get to know him." Photos of the Marines were displayed beside a memorial of helmets resting on rifles with sets of identification tags hanging and combat boots in front of the rifles. Marines from the company came forward to pay their last respects after the ceremony. Esckelson joined the Marine Corps in October 2002. Following boot camp, he completed the School of Infantry at as a rifleman. Esckelson reported to B Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment. In June 2006, Esckelson was activated along with his battalion for duty in Iraq. His awards include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Miller joined the Marine Corps in July 2005. Following boot camp, he completed the School of Infantry as a rifleman. He reported to B Company 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment. His awards include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Spencer joined the Marine Corps in October 2005. Following boot camp, he completed the school of infantry as a rifleman. He reported to 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment. In June 2006, he was activated and assigned to B Company 1st Battalion 24th Marine Regiment. His awards include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Armed Forces Reserve Medal All three completed training at Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., prior to deploying to Fallujah, Iraq, for Operation Iraqi Freedom. "Their devotion to their country, their Corps, and fellow Marines serves as the inspiration that will allow us to carry on in their absence," Van Opdorp said.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Honoring Christopher E. Esckelson

"Christopher's Grandmother, Esther, arrives at the re-dedication ceremony."

“He was a great man…” was the common theme uttered by many on Tuesday morning, August 19, 2008 while gathered in Veterans Memorial Park in Vassar, MI. The sun shone on a crowd of over 100 while a train whistled nearby in this city of nearly 3,000 people.

Vassar gained national attention in 1986 when the banks of the Cass River overflowed, causing massive widespread flooding of Biblical proportions. Vassar was once again in the news on December 2006, but this time it was due to the death of a hometown hero, U.S. Marine Corporal Christopher E. Esckelson. Christopher was killed while conducting combat operations in the Al Anbar province in Iraq, just days before his 23rd birthday.

The crowd of people gathered on this quiet morning to honor Christopher by re-dedicating the United State Post Office in his honor. Christopher’s mother, Mitzi Hill, works at the Vassar Post Office. A bill for the rededication was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Dale Kildee on May 10, 2007 as bill number HR-2276. The bill was passed into law on November 30, 2007. In attendance were Congressman Dale Kildee, representative of the 5th District, Representative Terry Brown, from the 84th District, and many U.S. Postal Service employees and managers, as well as the U.S. Marines Color Guard, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines.

Many of Christopher’s family and friends were in attendance, including his father, David Esckelson (pictured below left), his mother Michelle (Mitzi) Hill (pictured unveiling the plaque), sister Kari Esckelson, and stepsister Lauren Hill (a recent addition to the U.S. Air Force).

The plaque in honor of Christopher is available for all to see at the Vassar Post Office located at 203 N. Main St. beginning on Wednesday, August 20, 2008.

(NOTE: The author wishes to thank Peggy White for editing assistance.)

Posted by Jeremy J Schrader at 9:45 AM