In Memoriam

South Florida Marine Dies From Injury In Iraq

COOPER CITY, Fla. -- A Marine from Cooper City died from wounds he suffered while conducting combat operations in Iraq, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.

Pfc. Christopher T. Riviere, 21, died Tuesday of wounds he received in Iraq's Al Anbar province, the department said.

"We weren't even used to him being over there, and then we get this news," said Connie Pie, his aunt.

Riviere was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

"Christopher was an awesome kid. He is an awesome kid," Pie said.

Riviere had been a Marine for barely a year and had spent only nine days in his tour of duty.

"What we do know is that he was just standing guard somewhere. He had his full armor on, and he got hit by sniper bullets," Pie said.

His aunt said Riviere always dreamed of serving his country.

"Chris always wanted to do the best that he could do. He wanted to excel, and he felt that being in the Marines was his way of doing that," Pie said. "He was just very, very proud of himself."

September has been a difficult month for South Florida military families. Riviere is the third serviceman from the area to die this month in Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Rene Martinez, 20, of Miami died while conducting combat operations in the Anbar province of Iraq.

Army Spc. Alexander Jordan, 31, died of injuries caused by enemy small-arms fire while he was conducting a mounted patrol in Baghdad.

Family members said Riviere's loss is difficult, but they do not blame anyone.

"He wasn't forced. He wasn't drafted. He wasn’t made to go. He went because that's what he wanted to do," Pie said.

Before he went away to serve in the military, Riviere told his family that one day he would be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with the rest of the nation's war heroes. His family will now carry out his wishes, NBC 6's Sharon Lawson reported.