Soldiers mourn for fallen Marine in Iraq
Marine who could be counted on in any situation. dies near the Iraqi- Syrian Border
‘Suicide Charley’ mourn fallen Marine in Iraq
KARABILAH, Iraq – A two-time veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Lance Cpl. Aaron W. Simons was a Marine who could be counted on in any situation.
He could’ve done anything he wanted to. He didn’t have to be in the Marine Corps, but he chose to fight among us,” said 1st Lt. Richard J. Cannici, Simon’s platoon commander.
That “fight” took Simon’s life, a 20-year-old team leader from Modesto, Calif., on April 24, 2006. The infantry team leader died during combat operations near the Iraqi-Syrian border in Iraq’s western Al Anbar Province.
The Marines of Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, better known as “Suicide Charley,” mourned the loss of Simons during a memorial service at the Marines’ base here, or “battle position,” as the Marines call it.
The service was held the day after he died.
The Twentynine Palms, Calif.-based Marines, partnered with an Iraqi Army unit, have spent nearly two months now conducting counterinsurgency operations in this region and mentoring their Iraqi counterparts to become a self-sustaining force.
Staff Sgt. J.M. Goodwin
Public Affairs Chief
Regimental Combat Team 7
1st Marine Division
Al Asad, Iraq
3613-843
