Lance Cpl Bradley L. Parker

29, US Marines

November 15 marks the passing of Lance Cpl. Bradley L. Parker, 19, US Marines, of Marion, WV.  We honor and remember him, his family and his mother Carla Parker of Mannington, WV. He was born July 22, 1985.

Bradley was a 2003 graduate of North Marion High School. He joined the United States Marine Corp in June 2003 and had been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He has also been recommended to receive a Purple Heart. Parker, a rifleman, was assigned to Bravo Company, First Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment, Second Marine Division, Second Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Bradley Parker died Nov. 15 2004 in a hostile attack in Anbar Province, Iraq while Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Bradley had always wanted to be a Marine since he was a small child. Right after high school and before his 18th birthday he left for the Marine Corps.

Carla Parker was the last one to speak to her son Bradley before he boarded the plane for Iraq in June. He wrote letters often and called when he could. "He always said, 'Mom, don’t worry. I’m fine,’" Carla Parker said. "He usually just asked stuff about back home, how everyone was doing or what was going on." Bradley wanted to be a Marine since he was 6 years old. As soon as he graduated and shortly before his 18th birthday, he signed up and left for boot camp. "He died doing what he loved," she said. "The Marine Corps was everything to him."

 At his high school, Parker was remembered as charming and well-liked with a good sense of humor. "Brad will be well remembered here," guidance counselor Mary Kuretza said.

Along with his mother he is survived by his brother Andrew

Let us always remember him and his family and… 

Say His Name

#neverforget #SayTheirNames #rememberthefallen

#marines #SemperFi

#GoldStarMothers #goldstarfamilies #GoldStar #goldstarbridgeride