SAN DIEGO — There was a memorial service Friday for the five young marines who died in a helicopter crash in Pine Valley Feb. 7.
Family, friends and other members of our military gathered to pay their respects and share memories at Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar.
All five of the Marines were in their 20s. So many of them come from military families where becoming a Marine was a lifelong dream.
This includes 21-year-old Lance Corporal Donovan Davis, from Kansas; 23-year-old Sergeant Alec Langen from Arizona; 27-year-old Captain Benjamin Moulton from Idaho; 26-year-old Captain Jack Casey of New Hampshire; and 28-year-old Captain Miguel Nava from Michigan.
Each were well decorated with medals that include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.
It was a little over a week ago during a routine training flight when the five Marines who had been assigned to the Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 were flying a CH 53 E Super Stallion from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, back home to MCAS Miramar - but tragically, their helicopter went down in Pine Valley, in a very remote and rugged terrain. The crew was flying during a strong winter storm, in the middle of the night. An investigation into what happened is still underway.
"He died doing what he loved and he’s going to be there protecting us for the rest of our lives," Elizabeth Langen said.
Langen described her brother as funny, smart and could make the best of any situation. He got married just one month ago in Sedona. She said he had followed in their father's footsteps.
"We’ve had an outpouring of support from the Marines and his friends about how he was such a great mentor and how he had every quality you would want in a coworker, brother, a husband and it doesn’t seem real he’s not going to be here," she added.
She said their family has always known the risks that come with the job, but never thought it would happen in this way.
The Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said, "We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service."
President Biden also spoke out just after the crash, saying our service members represent the very best of our nation. As we mourn this profound loss, we honor their selfless service and ultimate sacrifice.
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