The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
The following Marines died March 24 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan: Sgt. Maj. Robert J. Cottle, 45, of Whittier, Calif.
Lance Cpl. Rick J. Centanni, 19, of Yorba Linda, Calif.
Cottle and Centanni were assigned to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4thMarine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.
On 02 April 2010 L/Cpl Rick J. Centanni, 19, Yorba Linda, CA, will be returned to his family at TheJoint Forces Training Base (Los Al), Los Alamitos, CA
The PGR will stage at the Katella Deli-Restaurant 4470 Katella Ave LosAlamitos, CA 90720. The PGR will then ride to Los Al and form an HonorLine as his aircraft arrives. Following L/Cpl Centanni’s arrival thePGR will escort him to McAulay & Wallace 902 N Harbor Blvd Fullerton,CA 92832
I met up with John R. Johney, Stan and eventually Chuck at Katella Deli in Los Alamitos for my first ever mission in support of the Patriot Guard Riders. Patriot Guard Riders provide escort in support of the families of fallen service members returning home for the last time. The turnout for this mission included a large contingent of police as L/Cpl Centanni's father is a police Sergeant with Santa Ana.
The police escort for the motorcade was amazing and when we all got on the freeway, all traffic was blocked for miles. Every on-ramp had police holding traffic. As we rode up Harbor Blvd. fire trucks were parked blocking traffic with it's crew standing at attention and saluting as we all passed by. The entire motorcade was at least a mile long as it was mostly visible while on the freeway and just stretched forever it seemed.
I hope this display will in some small way help his family with their grief and loss knowing that a lot of people cared enough to turn out in show of support.
Some pictures and slide show:
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