In Memoriam

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Cpl. Luis Castillo

(reprinted from DetNews.com, January 23, 2007)

Self-reliant Marine inspired his family, could light up a room

Joe Menard / The Detroit News

Marine Lance Cpl. Luis J. Castillo was an inspiration to his nieces and nephew in the way he insisted on accomplishing everything on his own.

"He wouldn't let anybody do anything for him. He wanted to do it for himself," said his niece, Adelaida Suarez. "He was a very good role model."

Mr. Castillo of Lawton, near Kalamazoo, died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007, in an Iraq hospital of gunshot wounds he sustained while on patrol in the Al Anbar province. He was 20.

Born in Mexico City, Mr. Castillo moved with his family to Michigan when he was 3 years old. He grew up in South Haven and later moved to Mattawan, where he wrestled for the Mattawan High School team before graduating in 2004. He joined the Marines right after graduation to save money for college, and hoped to become a police officer, his family said.

Mr. Castillo was known for his love of dancing and an ability to light up a room with his sense of humor.

"He was funny," said his sister-in-law, Rosemary Suarez, who last spoke to her husband's brother on Christmas.

He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division out of Lansing. It was his first tour in Iraq, where he had been since September.

He is survived by his mother, Raquel Garcia; an older brother, Juan Suarez; and older sister, Pilar Castillo; a younger sister, Jasmine Garcia; and six nieces and one nephew.

Services are pending.

Another Marine with Michigan ties, Cpl. Jacob H. Neal, 23, of San Marcos, Texas, was killed Jan. 19 in Al Anbar province. Neal was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division in Grand Rapids.