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In Memoriam |
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HM3
Marcques Nettles
Officer killed in Iraq said to bring out best in people
Service - Hundreds honor Marcques Jose Nettles, who once lived in Beaverton and died in a truck accidentMonday, May 08, 2006WADE NKRUMAHThe OregonianNavy Petty Officer Marcques Jose Nettles was laid to rest Sunday at Willamette National Cemetery, with bagpipes playing and the traditional military rifle salute.
Nettles, formerly of Beaverton, was sent off by more than 200 family, friends and other well-wishers -- including Gov. Ted Kulongoski -- who for nearly 40 minutes braved a mix of cool temperatures, intermittent driving rain and gusty winds that made spring feel like winter.
It was a fitting goodbye for Nettles, who was praised in an earlier memorial service as an all-around good guy -- loving husband, son, brother; good soldier; much-loved student and athlete at Westview High School.
Nettles, 22, was killed April 2 near al-Asad, Iraq, when the 7-ton truck in which he was riding with Marines was overturned during a flash flood. He is survived by wife, Christina Mullen-Nettles; mother, Suzie; father, Curtis Sr.; brothers, Curtis Jr. and Manny; and sister, Bianca.
The suddenness of his death -- he was a deployed to Iraq in February -- still is sinking in for Christina, whom he met in seventh grade and married in August 2003.
"I don't know why Marcques' time is now," she said, her voice choking through tears during the mid-afternoon memorial service at New Beginnings Christian Center in Northeast Portland.
"And I don't know if I ever will," she added. "I know there is a reason, because Marcques is special."
Indeed, Pastor Richard Hempel of Prayer Watch Christian Center said, Nettles' death serves as a reminder that values Americans generally hold dearly cannot be taken for granted.
"Marcques brings to reality that our freedom is not free," Hempel said "He gave his life in defense of our country."
Nettles joined the Navy on Sept. 11, 2002, and studied nursing en route to becoming a hospital corpsman. In August, he was stationed at Fort Pendleton, Calif.
Nettles was born in Tacoma. He finished elementary school and started middle school in Kennewick, Wash. He moved with his family to Beaverton, where he finished middle school and graduated from Westview High.
Nettles had an eclectic mix of interests, including the outdoors -- crabbing, fishing, golfing -- reptiles and tropical fish and cooking. Plus, he loved shopping for Nike shoes, some styles of which were worn by many who attended his services.
Curtis Jr., the oldest of Marcques' siblings, said they were like best friends, especially in the heat of fishing, golfing, and video game competition.
"Then came high school football," Curtis said.
"I found no greater joy than playing next to my brother on the field . . . I got to see Marcques, as an underclassman, bust a few skulls. I was really proud of him. That was the best time for him and I. Then came graduation. I went into the Navy and, true to form, my heart and soul, Marcques came in right after me."
Christina, too, said Marcques brought out the best in her.
"I'd like to thank Marcques for every laugh and every tear; for too many fishing trips . . . lizards . . . for getting up to make coffee for me even though he didn't drink it."
Then she shared a recording of "Forever," their song.
"Because we're cheesy enough to have a song," she said with a laugh.