Marine who predicted he'd die in Iraq is laid to rest
11/20/2004 11:07 AM
By: Associated Press

HOUSTON -- U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Russell Slay somehow knew. He told family and friends after getting orders to report for a second tour of duty in Iraq that he didn't think he would be coming back alive.

His prediction sadly came true. He was the 100th Texas service member killed in Iraq.

Slay, a 28-year-old man from Humble, was buried Friday after a funeral where it was portrayed as a loving and devoted father known to make people laugh.

The 450 people attending Slay's service were moved to tears when a letter Slay wrote to his 9-year-old daughter, Kinlee, and 5-year-old son, Walker, was read out loud.

“Tell Kinlee that I love her and never knew what life was before she was born,'' the letter read by U.S. Marine Capt. Mike Evans said. “She'll always be Daddy's little girl.''

Slay wrote in his letter that he wanted Kinlee to have the best possible life and make sure she attended college.

Slay died in combat Nov. 9 along with seven others in Al Anbar, a province west of Baghdad that includes Fallujah.

Slay wrote to his son that Walker always makes him smile.

“You're the sweetest little man. Be studious, stay in school and stay away from the military. I mean it. Always be a man. If you make mistakes, stand up and say so,” the letter read.

Slay was buried in his military uniform at the Houston National Cemetery and with a picture colored by his children.