In Memoriam

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LCpl. James Huston U.S.M.C (KIA)

(reprinted from the Statesman Journal, Salem OR, July 12, 2004)

Hermiston mourns loss of Marine killed in Iraq

The Associated Press
July 12, 2004

HERMISTON — An Eastern Oregon Marine killed in Iraq was remembered during a memorial service Saturday for his love of hunting and the watchful eye he kept over his little brother.

Lance Cpl. James Huston Jr., 22, died July 2 when the Humvee he was riding in turned over in a canal, trapping him underwater. He had been on his way to help secure the site of an explosion in Al Anbar Province.

It was his second tour of duty in Iraq.

Huston grew up in Hermiston, graduating from Hermiston High School in 2000.

In October 2001, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps.

Saddened residents lined Hermiston Avenue Saturday morning displaying U.S. flags and signs that said “Thank you for your service” and “God Bless,” the East Oregonian newspaper in Pendleton reported.

Huston’s family arrived by motorcade at Hermiston High for the service, led by Shane Huston driving one of his brother’s prized possessions: a brown-and-tan pickup.

“There’s never been a single person I tried so hard to impress,” said another brother, Matthew, who serves in the U.S. Navy Mobile Construction Battalion at Port Hueneme, Calif. “Today, we put to rest a great Marine, an artist, a hunter, a friend and a big brother.”

A video slide show depicted Huston’s life, ranging from images from a 4-H competition when he was a youngster to his hunting expeditions as a young man.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski spoke at the service.

“Part of my prayer every morning is that I do not attend another funeral, but my prayer does not get answered,” said Kulongoski, a former Marine. “Words are feeble. They can do no justice to who your friend, brother and son was.

“Still, the people in Oregon mourn with you.”

Huston was a rifleman based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.

He had been awarded several military honors.