Project Honor

Honoring Pfc Colton W Rusk

Colton W Rusk, of Orange Grove, TX, was born September 23, 1990 in Corpus Christi, Texas.  He graduated in 2009 from the Orange Grove High School, where he played baseball and football and was an All-District offensive lineman.

“Don’t be afraid to go after your hopes and dreams, but don’t be afraid to be willing to pay the price.”  Colton Rusk, 2009, HS Yearbook.

“If I had a son, he is what I hope my son would be." Anna Garza, Spanish Teacher

“It’s not a single thing. It’s not that he was a great athlete or a great student. It’s that he was a great young man. He was everything." Tommy Moses, principal.

Honoring Sgt Derek A Wyatt

Derek A Wyatt of Akron, OH, graduated from East High School in 2004.

He was an All-City Second Baseman in High School.

His favorite album was White Pony by the Deftones.

"He was so silly all through school and such a blast to be around!" Renee Doyle, schoomate.

"Derek is an amazing person. He never said one bad thing about anyone. He was always smiling and it was very contagious." Melissa Awalt, friend.

Honoring Sgt Matthew Abbate

Matthew Abbate of Honolulu, Hawaii was born September 10, 1984 in San Francisco, CA.  He attended Buchanan High School in Clovis, CA and graduated in 2002 from Sierra Charter High School in Fresno, CA.

His love of life "exceeded the tolerance of others, including parents and teachers." Eric Busse, friend.

"Matt easily sparked all of us with lots of energy and charisma that would sweeten anyone's heart that knew him." Susan Rosendo, friend.

He was "like a brother and a great friend to me. We hold great memories of you in our hearts." Stacey, friend.

Honoring Cpl Chad Stafford Wade

Chad Stafford Wade of Bentonville, Arkansas was born May 25, 1988 in Memphis, TN.  He graduated from Rogers High school in 2007.

He enjoyed hunting, golf, fishing, football, and baseball.  He was a fan of the Tennessee Volunteers and Indianapolis Colts.  He loved his dog, Remi, named after Remington Rifles.

"When Chad was in it was like everything stopped, it was like the king had arrived."  John Gough, uncle.

He enlisted in the Marines on October 16, 2007.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

Honoring 1LT William J Donnelly IV

1st Lt. William J. Donnelly IV, 27, of Picayune, Mississippi, was a Homeschool graduate. He attended the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY and was commissioned on June 16, 2008.

He enjoyed both Country and Alternative music, watching NCIS, maintaining firearms skills, and working on engines.

He is remembered as a devoted husband, outstanding Marine, and his caring Generosity.  If you needed help, no matter when or where, he would be there for you.

He had previously worked at the Avondale Shipyard.

“He was the best husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend anyone could have.  He was respected by all who knew him and loved by everyone, and will be missed by so many.  He lived to serve his country, and he refused to just sit on the sidelines.” Melissa Donnelly-Weed, sister.

Honoring LCpl Arden Joseph A Buenagua

Arden Joseph A Buenagua of San Jose, California was born on December 27, 1990.  "AJ" attended Independence High School and graduated from Piedmont HS in 2009.

"He was a chilled laid back kinda guy but really smart with great ambition." Alex Rivera, schoolmate.

AJ enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 27, 2009 and was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA.

"He brought honor to those that knew him." SSgt. Johnny M. Flores

His Awards and Decorations include: the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

He is survived by Marivic Ayuson Trinidad, mother.

AJ was honored by 10 fire departments from Milpitas to San Bruno on his final journey.  He was laid to rest at Golden Gate National Cemetary.

Honoring LCpl Randy R Braggs

Randy Braggs of Sierra Vista, AZ, born March 4, 1989 at Ft Lewis, WA and graduated in 2008 from Buena HS in Sierra Vista.

Braggs was “a big, sweet, easy going, loveable guy” who did his best to make people smile, said his grandmother, Retha Long.

Braggs came from a military family. His parents both served in the Army and his younger brother is serving in the Air Force in Afghanistan, Long said.

"I'll never forget the way he could always make us smile when the drill instructors would get us down. He was one of a kind. He was a marine." LCpl Arnold-Anderson, from Boot Camp.

LCpl Braggs joined the Marines on March 23, 2009.  He was assigned as an 0311 Rifleman to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA and deployed to Afghanistan in September 2010.  He had previously served in Korea

His awards and decorations include: Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. LCpl Braggs was laid to rest at Veterans Memorial Cemetary (Section 3, Site 483) in Sierra Vista, AZ with Patriot Guard Escort on 11/14/2010. 

He is survived by father Randy Braggs.

If you knew LCpl Braggs and have stories to share of his life, of His Victories, his Achievements, and his Humor, please let us know, so we can improve this article in Honor of his Life.

Honoring Cpl John T Sparks

3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment memorializes fallen Marine
by Cpl. Daniel Blatter 1st MarDiv

SANGIN, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors from 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, in Sangin, paused to honor Lance Cpl. John T. Sparks. Sparks, 23, a machine gunner with Weapons Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines was killed in action, Oct. 8.

“It is my personal and professional honor to be a part of this memorial service and to pay tribute to Lance Cpl. John Sparks’ life and his sacrifice,” said Lt. Col. Jason Morris, the commanding officer of 3/5. “I give thanks every day that I had the opportunity to serve with and lead a man such as John, a man that gave his last full measure defending his nation against its enemies.”

Honoring LCpl Donald J Hogan

“He was given an opportunity that very few of us get: to prove our mettle,” said his mother Carla. “But, I don’t want the guys who he was with to feel that, in some way, he was a superior (to them).”

Lt. Col. Terry M. Johnson, the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, said Hogan's fellow troops described him as having "a heart bigger than life, generous, unwavering commitment toward his fellow Marines, loyal, selfless, and always with a smile."