`A time of honor': Family, friends bid farewell to Kirkland soldier -

2004-11-20
by Chris Winters
Journal Reporter

KIRKLAND -- Marine Lance Cpl. Nathan Raymond Wood was a shy, polite and kind man with a mischievous streak who touched the hearts of many people.

The Kirkland 19-year-old was bid an emotional goodbye Friday morning. Wood died in Iraq on Nov. 9 during the U.S. military's siege on the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah.

``Though this is a difficult time, it is a time of honor,'' said Pastor Norm Willis at the Christ Church of Kirkland. ``In life there are senseless deaths and there are honorable deaths. Though some are concerned we fight a senseless war in Iraq, Nathan's was an honorable death.''

Wood was born to Rex and DeEtte Wood on Dec. 20, 1984, in Great Falls, Mont. The family, including his younger sister, Gretchen, moved to Kirkland seven years later.

``He was the kid that would volunteer to do something out of the goodness of his heart,'' said his uncle Bill Olson. Always hard working and polite, Wood wanted very much to be independent.

Olson recalled that the last time he saw his nephew was at a family dinner shortly before Wood shipped out to Iraq.

``I told him to stay alert and trust no one. I told him he didn't need to be a hero,'' Olson said.

But then he recalled the phrase that there are two kinds of men, those who are Marines and those who want to be. ``Today I think I know what that means. He was more of a man than I would ever be.

``For the rest of my life, you will be in my heart, you will be in my dreams, you will be in my prayers,'' Olson said. ``Semper Fi.''

Wood's cousin, Amber Olson, read a poem in his honor, while one friend, overcome with emotion, cut his remarks short.

Garrett Ware, a high school classmate who joined the Marines with Wood, also spoke.

Since Wood died, Ware said, he has been laughing at the sheer number of stories and memories they shared. He recalled joking with Wood in school, making fun of ``Seinfeld,'' which neither of them liked but they watched anyway. And he recalled the time Wood borrowed his car, but didn't tell him he used it to go off-roading in the mountains.

``If he was here now, I'd ask to borrow his car,'' Ware said, triggering a ripple of laughter in the church.

``Bottom line, he served his country,'' Ware said. ``He died for his country.''

The last time they saw each other was at a barbecue at base shortly before the operation in Fallujah. ``He showed no fear that last day,'' Ware said. ``We were all ready. He was ready. He died a hero.''

Ware, who also was wounded in the fighting in Fallujah, had been flown in from Germany where he was recovering. Ware had a Purple Heart medal pinned to his chest.

A Marine Corps color guard in dress blues silently escorted Wood's flag-draped casket to the altar and presented a slow-time salute.

A choir sang ``Amazing Grace'' and a slide show offered pictures and video clips of Wood as a food-splattered infant, a young T-ball slugger, graduating from Juanita High School and as a new recruit in the Marine Corps.

One of the last scenes was of the Nov. 12 candlelight vigil in Denny Park, where family and friends gathered to pay tribute to the fallen Marine.

Dozens of mourners flanked the driveway with flags as the funeral procession left the church. Wood was buried at Floral Hills Cemetery in Lynnwood.