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In Memoriam |
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In Memoriam |
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SSgt. Abraham Twitchell
Family remembers Marine as proud, hard-working family man
The Olympian
LACEY — As a proud boy, he liked to say his name was Abraham Lincoln George Washington Twitchell.
That boy grew up to become a proud Marine.
Family and friends described Staff Sgt. Abraham George Twitchell as a dedicated father and husband, a natural teacher and a man who worked and played hard.
About 450 people gathered at Woodlawn Funeral Home on Saturday to eulogize Twitchell, who was killed April 2 in Iraq when the truck he was riding in rolled over in a flash flood.
“I am thankful for my son. I am thankful for what his life was lived for,” Maurice Twitchell said. “Abe is a man of honor and integrity.”
Twitchell, 28, of Yelm was among six Marines who died in the rollover near Al Asad. He was assigned to the 1st Marine Logistics Group, Combat Service Support Group 1, I Marine Expeditionary Force, in Twentynine Palms, Calif. He was six weeks into a yearlong deployment, his first to Iraq.
First Sgt. Kevin Pietsch said his fellow Marine was always eager to teach. When someone asked a question, he wouldn’t answer, “he would always tell how to find the answer,” Pietsch said.
Likewise, he wouldn’t fix something if asked, but rather show how it could be fixed.
“He taught me to live for the day, don’t worry about miniscule things that you can’t do anything about. If you can do something about it, just do it,” he said.
Twitchell was devoted to his wife, Stephanie, evident when he spent the day before he left for Iraq buying birthday and Valentine’s Day cards for her, Pietsch said.
Twitchell would also speak proudly of his two stepsons and their participation in sports.
Brian Twitchell said his brother loved fatherhood — making knight armor for Halloween costumes, fixing bikes and doing other activities with his children.
He said Twitchell also looked up to his grandfathers, both World War II veterans, one a paratrooper and one a medic who died in France.
He was a true Marine — “full of pride, always standing tall,” Brian Twitchell said.
After the service, the funeral procession walked through an aisle of U.S. flags held by members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle group that formed out of respect for military members who risk their lives and frequently attend funerals of military members and veterans.
Members of the 4th Landing Support Battalion out of Fort Lewis also attended.
Twitchell enlisted while still attending Yelm High School and went to boot camp after graduating in 1996. He was an armorer, customizing handguns and rifles for soldiers in Iraq.
He married Stephanie in 2004, and was father to daughter Makenzy, who was born in August, and stepsons Zachery, 12, and Zane, 8.
He also is survived by his mother, Mary Anne, and stepfather and “pop,” Ray Ross; his father and stepmother Maurice and Eileen Twitchell; five siblings and numerous other relatives.