LCpl Alan Lam, U.S.M.C (NCD)

Local Marine dies in accident

SNOW CAMP — The accidental death of local Marine Lance Cpl. Alan Lam in Iraq sent shock waves across southern Alamance County on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old victim, the son of Adam and Brenda Lam of 8130 Bird Dog Drive, Snow Camp, was one of two Marines killed during a training session Tuesday when a rocket-propelled grenade malfunctioned and exploded. Five other Marines were hurt, a spokesman at the U.S. Marine Corps unit in Greensboro reported.

Lam, who graduated from Southern Alamance High School in 2001, is the first Triad-area member of the American military killed since hostilities began in Iraq on March 20. Marine Capt. George Palaima, who heads the Marine Reserve Unit in Greensboro, said Lam joined the Marines in Burlington and graduated from the Marine basic training school at Parris Island, S.C., in early 2002.

“We are grief-stricken,” said Southern Alamance High School principal Kent Byrd. “What has happened is so sad.” Byrd remembers Lam as “a good, energetic, happy and likeable student. “He was the kind of student that teachers enjoy having in their classes,” he said. Byrd also recalled Lam was very interested in becoming involved in the military and serving his country. He said Lam was active in the school’s art club and worked for the school newspaper, the Patriot Press.

Grief about the young Marine’s loss was evident in Snow Camp throughout the day. “I’m devastated,” said Dale Matthews, pastor of Cane Creek Friends Meeting in Snow Camp. “He went to school with one of my daughters. Our hearts and prayers are with the family. The whole area will be mourning and praying for them.”

Matthews, who did not know Lam himself, learned of the fatal accident Wednesday morning. “The restaurant was crowded at lunch time and I think everybody was talking about the loss, although they didn’t know him personally,” said Bryan Wilson, operator of Ye Olde Country Kitchen restaurant on Drama Road.

Palaima was one of the Marine representatives who traveled to Snow Camp at about 10 p.m. Tuesday to notify Adam and Brenda Lam of their son’s death. He said Lam, the couple’s only son, had four older sisters, all of whom live near their parents’ home. “Delivering news like that is the most difficult thing I’ve had to do in my 14 years as a Marine,” Palaima said. “I’d rather go in to clear out an enemy machine-gun nest than go tell a family something such as that.”

The captain said the Marine Corps does not know why the grenade malfunctioned. The accident will be investigated.