Fallen Marine’s son receives gift for future success
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (June 29, 2006) – Gavin Schuck, son of fallen combat engineer Cpl. Brandon Schuck, sits in his mother’s arms, June 29. Schuck was presented savings bonds valued at $4,000 by the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation to put toward his college education. Schuck was killed in action, Feb. 6, in Baghdadi, Iraq, while conducting combat operations and was with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/65996F5AB48C70FD8525719C0062C0C9?opendocument
June 29, 2006; Submitted on: 06/29/2006 01:58:38 PM ; Story ID#: 2006629135838
By Lance Cpl. Wayne Edmiston, 2nd Marine Logistics Group
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (June 29, 2006) -- A child sits in his mothers arms, looking around, and chewing on his bottle like any boy his age would.
This twinkle-eyed young boy of just 18 months has experienced what many don’t experience until they have children of their own, the loss of a father. Although he is not old enough to realize it now, the young boy who has lost so much has been given a gift toward his future.
Gavin Schuck, son of fallen combat engineer Cpl. Brandon Schuck of 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, was presented savings bonds valued at $4,000 by the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation to put toward his college education.
Schuck, a Safford, Ariz., native, was killed in action, Feb. 6, by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in Baghdadi, Iraq.
His comrades and platoon commander had good words to say about the character of the fallen Marine.
“He was always bragging about his son and wife,” said 1st Lt. Jason R. Berner, Schuck’s platoon commander during the operation. “He was a driving force to get the mission done.”
The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by former Marines and law enforcement members who have given more than $24 million to the children of fallen Marines and members of the law enforcement community.
A majority of the money raised comes from community events such as lunches, dinners, golf tournaments and private donors.
Megan Schuck, widow of Cpl. Schuck, had nothing but thanks toward the organization that is helping support her son’s education.
“It takes a lot of pressure off,” said Schuck. “Sometimes I wonder how I am going to support him, but this takes a lot of pressure off.”
The boy, with a smile on his face the entire time, just looked around with bewilderment with a smile he apparently adopted from his father.
“One thing about Cpl. Schuck, he always had a smirk on his face,” said Berner. “No matter what the situation, he was always smiling.”