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By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer
August 5, 2006
A Navy SEAL from Hood River died in Iraq on
Wednesday while saving his team members from a fierce attack by
insurgents.
Marc Alan Lee, 28, was killed while on active duty in Ramadi. His mother,
Debbie Lee, said her son staged an offensive diversion in a moment of
crisis. He reportedly made the decision to sacrifice his life after
another SEAL was hit by sniper fire and several men were trapped inside a
building.
“It was so like Marc to give up his life to save his friends. I am so
proud of him — he is my hero,” said Lee.
She said Marc lived with a strong Christian belief that he was here to
make a difference for the good. It was that commitment to God that led her
son into the military. And then gave him strength during the grueling
training to become a member of the elite Special Forces team.
“He’s up in heaven now and I can get through this because I know that I
will see him again. It’s the here and now that’s hard,” said Lee.
Marc was home schooled for much of his education. But also attended
Horizon Christian School and played soccer with the Hood River Valley High
School team. Four years ago he married Maya Elbaum and they made their
home in New York.
Debbie, who moved to Arizona in December, said a local memorial service
could be planned once all of the details of her son’s burial are decided
upon.
“Marc touched lives everywhere he went because of the person that he was.
He will be missed,” she said.
Lee said in spite of coping with the grief of losing a beloved son, she
still believes that America needs to be engaged in the war on terrorism.
She said it was his patriotic desire to defend his countrymen that led
Marc into the fatal battle. Out of respect for him, and other military
members making the ultimate sacrifice, Lee said the job needs to be
finished and not abandoned.
“I still believe it is right for us to be there. I wish the media would do
a better job of reporting on the good things that are happening for the
Iraq people because of us,” Lee said.
Until recently, Lee’s oldest son, Kris, 32, was also on active duty with
the U.S. Marine Corps. Her son-in-law, Chris Wells, is an Army veteran.
Debbie Lee owned and operated Kids R Us, a private pre-school and
kindergarten from her former Barrett Drive home for years. |
