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Lance Cpl. Adam P. Hahn places a rifle to begin the traditional memorial for a fallen comrade. Hanh's close friend, Lance Cpl. Marcus S. Glimpse was killed in action in Khandari, Iraq on April 12. A service was held in honor of Glimpse.
ABU GHRAIB, Iraq (April 26, 2006) -- Capt. Alton A. Warthen said the greatest privilege for a Marine officer is to be in charge of a group of Marines, as he spoke of Lance Cpl. Marcus S. Glimpse.
“I, for one, consider myself extremely lucky to have served with Lance Cpl. Marcus Glimpse,” said the 32-year-old company commanding officer from Newport News, Va.
They were Warthen’s parting words of Glimpse, who was killed in action April 12.
Marines and soldiers held a memorial service April 26 to honor Glimpse. Glimpse was 22-years-old and from Huntington Beach, Calif. He was assigned to 4th Mobile Assault Platoon, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.
The company is currently operating in Khandari, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Glimpse was a popular Marine in Mobile Assault Platoon 4,” said Lt. Col. David J. Furness, the 43-year-old battalion commander from Oceanside, Calif. “Marc, as he was known to his friends, was an up-beat person.”
Glimpse, a mortarman, was remembered as the first person to crack a joke or volunteer for a difficult assignment.
“Glimpse was regarded by the men of MAP 4 as the most dependable Marine in the platoon.” Furness added.
Several of Glimpse’s friends and platoon members recalled memories of venturing up to the Glimpse family home.
“Marc was the type of Marine that if any of us were stuck in the barracks, just hanging out over the weekend, he would snag us up and take us to his father’s house,” said Lance Cpl. Michael L. Mclaughlin, a 21-year-old mortarman from Mankato, Minn.
Glimpse was described as the type of Marine who could find humor in any situation. He had the ability to lighten a moment with a word.
“Every unit needs a Marcus Glimpse,” Warthen said. “An individual who can crack a joke under the toughest of circumstances, who never seems to be affected by the hardships around him.”
To his fellow Marines of MAP 4, Glimpse was a strong foundation. It was a trait that was an apparent family way of life. Glimpse confided in his friends that his father was the pillar of strength in his life.
“Marc said many times, his father was his backbone,” said Lance Cpl. Adam P. Hahn, a 20-year-old mortarman from Manitowoc, Wis. “He was the guy who kept Marc strong when he wanted to quit, and kept him smiling when it just wasn’t his day.”
A recent photo of Glimpse hung above the traditional memorial comprised of a helmet resting on a rifle with a set of identification tags and a pair of combat boots. The sound of bagpipes played “Amazing Grace” while his platoon members reflected on memories of Glimpse. At the close of the service, Marines from Glimpse’s platoon came forward individually to pay their last respects.
“I will think about Marc everyday for the rest of my life, so my grandkids will know what type of man Lance Cpl. Marcus Glimpse was,” McGlaughlin said.
Glimpse graduated from Huntington Beach Continuing Adult Education School in Huntington Beach, Calif. He reported to recruit training in October 2003. He completed the School of Infantry in 2004 and obtained his military occupational specialty of 0341 – mortarman. His awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War of Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
He is survived by his father, Guy B. Glimpse, his mother, Maryan Glimpse, his two sisters, Megan and Mandy, and his twin brother, Mike.
“We will honor Lance Cpl. Glimpse in the way I think he would have wanted,” Warthen said. “We will continue to take the fight to the enemy and remember that it's OK to crack a joke when times are hard.” |
| From LA Times LaTimes.com
May 30th, 2006:
Huntington Beach's Memorial Day Hits Home
In one of many Southland ceremonies, one family's loss in the Iraq war is noted: a son killed by a roadside bomb last month. A stranger's condolences bring tears to the father's eyes.
By David Reyes and Martha Groves, Times Staff Writers
May 30, 2006
With the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, more than 600 people paid tribute to fallen U.S. troops at a Memorial Day observance next to the Huntington Beach Pier.
Among those honored at Monday's event were the city's war dead since World War I, including the latest, No. 94: Marcus Glimpse, a 22-year-old Marine lance corporal killed by a roadside bomb April 12 in Iraq's Al Anbar province.
Guy Glimpse proudly wore his son's dog tags around his neck, while relatives and friends donned replicas.
"I try and keep a good sense of humor," he said. "It's the only way I keep from crying."
The event featured the playing of taps and a performance by a women's vocal group.
Max Ladish, 22, and Marcus Glimpse had become close friends in high school. The two would spend hours playing video games and watching "The Sopranos" on television.
"He always wanted to make you laugh," said Ladish, who lives in Rancho Palos Verdes.
The ceremony was among dozens across the Southland that honored America's war dead, including a gathering at Los Angeles National Cemetery in Westwood attended by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
"We are honoring the men and women of the armed forces who gave their lives to preserve our country and to preserve our freedom," said Schwarzenegger, who landed in a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter amid grave markers adorned with small U.S. flags. "I'm humbled by being here to pay tribute to such brave men and women."
In Huntington Beach, Guy Glimpse said his son wasn't athletic but a "computer nerd" who gained weight and muscle in boot camp and turned into a leader. His son joined the Marine Corps after his twin brother, Michael, became an Army paratrooper and also served in Iraq.
Among those attending the memorial were the entire Huntington Beach City Council, Orange County Supervisor Jim Silva, Assemblyman Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) and U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach).
"Just the fact that so many people are here, that so many came, is so overwhelming," said Marcus Glimpse's mother, Maryan.
Harman told the crowd that Memorial Day "isn't just about taking a day off from work or about having a barbecue." He then handed Guy and Maryan Glimpse U.S. and California flags that had flown over the state capitol.
Silva urged "proud Americans" to fly the U.S. flag in front of their homes.
"And the next time you see a military person, go up to them and extend a hand and say, 'Thank you,' " he said.
Scott Watson of Huntington Beach brought his 8-year-old son Liam to the observance after they went surfing. Dad wore surf trunks, Liam a wetsuit.
"He's learned that war is not good and that many women and men get hurt and die," Watson said, looking at his son. "But I told him that if he wanted to be a soldier that I'd be very proud but sad if anything happens to him."
Liam said he thought military people "are the best."
After the ceremony, Guy Glimpse said a stranger's condolences brought his emotions to the surface.
A man accompanied by his two children walked up, shook Glimpse's hand, provided a few words of comfort and left.
"He told me that he will never let his children forget of the sacrifice that my son made," Glimpse said, fighting back tears. |
