In Memoriam

The young Marine was one of seven killed when a Marine Sea Knight helicopter (CH-46) crashed in Anbar province northwest of Baghdad after being struck by hostile fire. The twin-rotor helicopter was operated by Marines, and other Marine aircraft were in visual contact at the time of the incident.

U. S. forces reportedly sealed off the accident site and helicopters buzzed overhead. The CH-46 is used by the Marines primarily as a troop and cargo transport, and can carry 25 combat-loaded troops, according to documents provided to The Associated Press by www.GlobalSecurity.org.

Within hours of the crash that killed the local Marine medivac pilot, a Sunni Muslim insurgent group linked to Al Queda posted a message on its website claiming responsibility for downing the helicopter.

Landaker, who had been in Iraq since last August, was a member of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, nicknamed the “Purple Foxes.” His job in Iraq was to airlift wounded Marines out of hazardous combat zones near the capital of Iraq.

GOVERNOR’S

STATEMENT

“First Lieutenant Landaker undertook the noble endeavor of risking his own life to ensure the safety and liberty of others,” Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stated in a news release requested by The Mountain News. “This Marine’s sacrifice epitomizes true patriotism.”

In a call from the governor’s press office in Sacramento, the governor was quoted as saying, “Maria and I extend our sympathies to Jared’s family, friends and fellow Marines.”

Later Wednesday, a complete press release was posted on the governor’s website announcing that in Landaker’s honor, flags above the capitol in Sacramento would be flown at half-staff.

CHP CONDOLENCES

Lt. Rick Sanders from the CHP Running Springs office said news of Jared’s death hit officers who worked with the Marine’s father very hard.

“There are a lot of similarities between law enforcement and military careers,” Sanders explained. “And even though Joe retired several years ago, he is still a member of the CHP family.

“We’re all very proud of Jared’s commitment to his country and it’s like losing one of our own, “ Lt. Sanders added.

“In a small command like ours,” Sanders stated, “everyone feels the family’s loss and we pledge to do anything we can to help.”

Officer Wally Wood, who worked for several years with Joe Landaker, said the former CHP officer was very proud of his family and son and often brought Jared with him on visits to his former office.

“News of Jared’s death shook a lot of us up,” Wood revealed. “He was a great kid and Joe and Laura had every reason to be proud of him.”

JARED M. Landaker

Landaker, a graduate of Big Bear High School where he earned CIF football honors in 1998 as a defensive back, was raised in the mountains. He also played varsity baseball against several former Rim of the World High School teams.

The 25-year-old Marine studied physics at the University of La Verne, graduating in 2003 prior to his deployment to Iraq.

Family members report Landaker was stationed at Camp Pendleton with the Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

VISITING WOUNDED SOLDIERS

In January, the Riverside Press-Enterprise ran an article about Landaker’s mother, Laura, and how she and a group of mountain residents took 40 handmade quilts and boxes of baked goods to wounded Marines being treated at San Diego area hospitals.

“Their morale is low,” Laura Landaker told reporter Paul Larocco, “because they’re almost forgotten.”

The group has announced plans to stage a 5K run at Big Bear Lake to raise money to support care-package efforts for Marines.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this story.