Lance Cpl Joseph C. Soto, a 20-year-old Marine field radio operator from Chicago, places the helmet of Lance Cpl. Michael L. Ford on top of a wooden cross during Ford's memorial service April 30, 2006, at the Marines base in Al Asad, Iraq. Ford was killed April 26, 2006 in Iraq's western Al Anbar Province after the tank he was driving struck an improvised explosive device - a roadside bomb. Ford's unit -Twentynine Palms, Calif.-based Company C, 1st Tank Battalion - held the service in remembrance of the 19-year-old New Bedford, Mass., native. Ford was part of Company C's third platoon, which operates with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment near the Iraqi-Syrian border. Ford's death was the first for the company of 120-plus Marines since the arrived in Iraq about six weeks ago. Company C will remain deployed to Iraq for at least another five months. "Commanders live their entire lives to have Marines like that under their command," said Capt. Jareed R. Duff, Company C's commanding officer, during the service.
2006-05-09
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