Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Rest in Peace Lance Corporal Lara


I am very sorry for his death and my condolences to his family and friends.

He is a credit to his family, the City of New Braunfels and to the United States Marine Corps.

Semper Fidelis Lance Corporal Brandon Lara, Godspeed and Rest in Peace.

I thank you for your service.

Local marine killed in Iraq

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A New Braunfels Marine was killed while serving in Iraq on Sunday.

Lance Corporal Brandon T. Lara died while in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province supporting combat operations, the U.S. Defense Department announced on Monday.

The 20-year-old Lara was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Following his death, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement that flags at the capitol in Sacramento will be flown at half-staff.

“Lance Corporal Brandon Lara was a brave Marine who sacrificed his life fighting for the freedoms that are dear to this country. He fought with honor and courage and Maria and I were deeply saddened to learn of his death. We send our deepest condolences to Brandon’s family, friends and fellow Marines as they mourn this terrible loss,” the governor said.

Lara enlisted in the Marine Corps in December of 2006, according to the 1st Marine Division public affairs office, and previously toured Iraq from February 2008 to September of 2008. His previous service awards included the National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Marine media office said.

Few details surrounding the circumstances of Lara’s death were made available, and calls to the military public affairs office seeking additional information were not returned as of late Monday.