In Memoriam

Last Patrol honors fallen Marine

Monday, November 28, 2005   Updated: 12:35 PM

BROWNSVILLE – America ’s Last Patrol held a flag raising ceremony to honor a fallen Marine with Valley ties.

BROWNSVILLE – Stars and stripes now wave in honor of a fallen marine with Valley ties.

America ’s Last Patrol paid special tribute to the family of Lance Corporal Christopher McCrackin over the weekend.

McCrackin died fighting in Iraq about 2 weeks ago when his convoy was hit by a roadside bomb.

The flag now waves at his grandparent’s Brownsville home where McCrackin spent many summers.

“It’s important to us that our nephew served our country,” McCrackin’s uncle Raul Ramirez says. “We understand that Marines are the backbone of this country and we are very proud of our nephew.”

 

Zubowski was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. His first tour was from February to October 2004. He returned to Iraq in July and was set to come home before his 21st birthday in March, his father, Rick Zubowski, had said.

 

Zubowski is the 49th Hoosier soldier to die in the Mideast since the buildup for the invasion of Iraq began in 2003.

 

About 200 people attended Zubowski's funeral at Manchester Church of the Brethren and at Oaklawn Cemetery in North Manchester, 35 miles west of Fort Wayne.

 

Wieland was one of five people to share memories of Zubowski at the church service.

 

Zubowski's wife, Klancey, said her husband of almost one year left a "spark" wherever he went, sharing it with friends and strangers alike. The couple married at the church Dec. 18.

 

"He took the spark that he had and he made it open to the public," she said. "Within his spark it wasn't just a cute guy with pretty eyes. It was his determination. Scott lived every day to its fullest."