Community Corner
Memorial Day: Remembering a Fallen San Marino Soldier
A Marine who was a San Marino native was just 24 years old when he was killed in the line of duty.
Of the 624 documented military service members with hometowns in California that died in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, one of the fallen soldiers was from San Marino.
According to the Washington Post’s Faces of the Fallen database, San Marino native 2nd Lieutenant James P. Blecksmith of the Marines was 24 years old when he was killed on November 11, 2004 during the assault on Fallujah as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Ed Blecksmith, James’ father, said his son enjoyed playing soldier when he was younger, according to an Associated Press obituary. "He was a tough kid, to do what he did, but he also had a loving side, said Blecksmith of his son in the obituary. “He knew when to be a tough guy and when to be a real gentleman."
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