Lance Cpl. Jose L. Maldonado--Patriot: R.I.P

The Coastal Bend loses another hero on the soil of Afghanistan. The Gulf Coast Simpleton sends prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Lance Cpl. Jose L. Maldonado of Mathis, TX.

Semper Fidelis. Salute.

The Corpus Christi Caller Times reports:

CORPUS CHRISTI — A 21-year-old Marine from Mathis died Friday while in combat in Afghanistan, the U.S. Department of Defense announced Saturday.

Lance Cpl. Jose L. Maldonado was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. He was in the Helmand province of Afghanistan when he was killed, military officials said.

While going to school in Mathis Independent School District, Maldonado played baseball, football and the tuba, Superintendent Maria Rodriguez-Casas said. Maldonado attended elementary and high schools in Mathis, she said. He went into the military soon after high school graduation as do many young adults in the city of about 5,200 people.

“His first passion was to go serve the country,” she said.

Maldonado was raised by his aunt and uncle, George and Alicia Williams, Mathis Mayor Ciriaco “Ciri” Villarreal said.

“They’re a good family,” he said. “Joe wanted to do better for himself and serve his country, which is why he joined the military. It’s especially hard in a small town for our young people, we don’t have jobs to offer them.

“This hits hard in our community, and our hearts go out to his family,” the mayor said. “We’re saddened deeply.”

Remember 9-11-01. The battle continues. God bless America. God bless Jose L. Maldonaldo. R.I.P.

Pfc. Colton W. Rusk--Patriot: R.I.P

The Gulf Coast Simpleton would like to say a prayer for the family and friends of Orange Grove's Colton Rusk in their time of grief.

Semper Fidelis. Salute.


FreedomRemembered.com reports the following:

Pfc. Colton W. Rusk, 20, of Orange Grove, Texas died December 6, 2010 while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Battallion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. Colton is a 2009 graduate of Orange Grove High School where he participated on the football team. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and November 2, 2009 and was serving his first combat deployment as a K-9 handler. His awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

The Corpus Christi Caller Times reports:

ORANGE GROVE — Colton Rusk lived his motto.

“Don’t be afraid to go after your hopes and dreams, but don’t be afraid to be willing to pay the price,” Rusk wrote under his senior photo in Orange Grove High School’s yearbook.

It also was the motto he died by.

Rusk, 20, a U.S. Marine who graduated from Orange Grove High School in 2009, was shot and killed Sunday in Afghanistan.

"War Is Still Hell."

Colton, R.I.P.