In Memoriam

(reprinted from WTVM.com, March 4, 2006)

Ga. Marine Killed in Helicopter Accident

A Georgia Marine is confirmed to be one of ten service men and women killed when two Marine helicopters collided off the coast of Africa. Lance Corporal Sam Large Junior joined the Marines right out of high school.

His family says he wanted to make a difference.

Samantha Young fights back the tears as she remembers her little brother. She's seen the Marines change Sam Large in the three years he served...he had grown up.

"It had changed him drastically, he was a completely different person, very head strong, very much. " said Young,  Large's sister.

His sister says he was extremely intelligent, and Large wanted to be a leader. that's why he joined. He found his home in the Marines. Large was killed during a counter terrorism exercise Saturday.

"His main explanation for everything is make the world right, make it right, everyone appreciate each other." said Young.

Large's son, Tyler was born last May. He was able to come home for his birth. But only spent a week with his son before he returned to his unit.

"He had just joined the Marines so we were not expecting that but that couldn't have been anything but one of the happiest days of his life." said Young.

Young says the family will attempt to go on without him. Because he would want them to hold tight and stay together. Even in the face of tragedy.

"We have a lot of family and a lot of people that do know and they do love him. He's going to be missed." said Young.

Corporal Large's unit was a part of a joint task force used to fight terrorism in a nine country region near the area they were training. His counter terrorism unit is based out of North Carolina.

Family has not finalized the arrangements for the funeral. But Large will be buried in hometown of Villa Rica, Georgia--that's just west of Atlanta.