Posted on: Thursday, January 27, 2005
Community stunned by loss of 'such great guys'
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KAILUA — The news that at least 27 Hawai'i Marines died in a helicopter crash during an Iraqi sandstorm has stunned residents of the community around Marine Corps Base Hawai'i.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser Bar owner Shawne Garliepp, 44, said of the young Marines who come to the bar:
"They're enjoying life and their strongest cause in their lives is to make sure America is free,"
The amazing thing about these men, she said, is that so many are willing to return to the Middle East after serving a tour of duty there. "Guys who have been over there and come back can't wait to go back again," she said.
Shay Quinnan, who has worked with Marines at the Kane'ohe base and partied with Marines at the bar, called the crash a drastic loss.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser Community leaders said they especially felt the loss because so many of the Hawai'i troops have formed relationships with Kailua residents through school adoption programs and volunteer work.
"We're all so proud of them and we all have such a good
relationship that we feel the extra loss because they're such great guys," said Kathy Bryant-Hunter, Kailua Neighborhood Board chair.
"But more and more soldiers are going, and we all agreed it would just be a matter of time before a tragedy like this occurred."
Marines at Aikahi Shopping Center hadn't heard much about the crash and said they probably didn't know any of the victims but they feel the loss because the Corps is such a tight-knit organization.
"To hear of any Marines dying is just horrible," said Lance Cpl. Justin Freeman, 21.
Freeman said his brother is in the Middle East and he prays for him and all Marines.
But the danger of the mission isn't a deterrent, and Freeman said he would like to join his comrades.
"There's a lot of time you want to be there with them," he said. "You want to help protect the country just like they're doing."
Lance Cpl. Dennis Schultz, 21, said he could imagine the impact of a sandstorm on the helicopter, having just returned from Iraq. When the sand is raging, it's difficult to breathe. The rain is bad, too, Schultz said.
"It rains mud there," he said. "There's so much sand in the air, by the time it gets to where you are, it's just mud."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
At Creekside on Hamakua Drive — a popular watering hole where locals and military people share their off hours — patrons paused to say a prayer and toast the 27 dead.
At Kailua's Creekside bar, sailor Shay Quinnan, with wife Cherie and baby Kitana, discussed the loss of 27 Hawai'i-based Marines yesterday.
"Marines are hard workers," said Quinnan, a Navy aviation structural mechanic. "They're dedicated to what they do. They're dedicated to the country, and they don't give any slack in any rules."
Lance Cpls. Justin Freeman and Dennis Schultz expressed sorrow upon hearing of the loss of at least 27 fellow Kane'ohe Marines yesterday in a helicopter crash in Iraq.
