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'America's Battalion' Honors Fallen Warrior

by Lance Cpl. Erik Villagran

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment paused to honor a fallen comrade.

1st Lt. Todd A. Peterson, a 29-year-old platoon commander from Westland, Mich., attached to Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5, holds Lance Cpl. Nicklas J. Palmer's identification tags. Palmer was killed in action Dec. 16. Palmer was 19 years old and from Leadville, Colo. Peterson remembered Palmer as one of his best Marines who was always quick to volunteer. (photo by Lance Cpl. Erik Villagran)

A memorial service was held at the Chapel of Hope here Dec. 30 to remember Lance Cpl. Nicklas J. Palmer, a 19-year-old combat engineer from Leadville, Colo., who was killed in action Dec. 16. He was assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

The battalion is currently serving in the Al Anbar Province with Regimental Combat Team 5 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"He understood the risk and was willing to shoulder any price when our nation called," said Lt. Col. Kenneth M. DeTreux, a 41-year-old battalion commander from Philadelphia. "He chose to serve a higher good something much bigger than himself. He chose to fight together with each one of us for freedom, not only for our country but for the world."

The battalion has been in Iraq for more than five months.

"He was the very best that our nation had to offer and he did a tremendous job with the combat engineers," said Capt. Paul C. Teachey, a 31-year-old company commander from Clayton, N.C. "He died surrounded by Marines he loved and who truly loved him. He's a true hero, and I promise we will never forget him and we will honor his memory forever."

Palmer's leaders thought highly of him. They spoke about him always being ready to get the job done and doing anything to accomplish a task.

"As a Marine he was one of the best," said 1st Lt. Todd A. Peterson, a platoon commander from Westland, Mich. "He was the type of Marine that every platoon commander hopes to lead some day. He was the first to volunteer for missions and on those missions he would pour all of his energy into that task."

Marines who served with Palmer remembered him as a trustworthy Marine who was always willing to help with any problems.

"He was one of the best listeners I ever knew," said Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Hettel, a 21-year-old combat engineer from Whitehouse, Ohio. "It didn't matter what it was, I could always go to him and talk about it. He always offered good advice whenever I had problems."

Palmer graduated from Lake County High School in Leadville. He reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., in August of 2005. He completed the Basic Combat Engineer Course and obtained the military occupational specialty of combat engineer.

Palmer's awards include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

"Nick's life and ultimate sacrifice he paid will be an example to each and every one of us by our actions here in Iraq as well as in our lifetime," DeTreux said. "This is our sacred responsibility and we will never forget Lance Cpl. Nick Palmer's service and sacrifice in his life here on earth."