David G. Ries
 |
| Age: |
|
29 |
| Hometown: |
Vancouver, WA |
| Date of Death: |
11/8/2004 |
| Incident Location: |
Anbar province, Iraq |
| Branch of Military: |
|
Marines |
| Rank: |
Staff Sgt. |
| Unit: |
6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group |
| Unit's Base: |
Portland, Ore. |
|
David Ries was a committed Marine reservist of more than a decade, and friends were not surprised when he volunteered to return to Iraq after already completing a six-month stint. "He believes in what this country stands for and the general purpose that we're there ... to give other people a shot of making their own choices," said Brent Loper, a childhood friend who ran cross-country with him in high school. Ries, 29, of Vancouver, Wash., died Nov. 8 when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. His unit was based in Portland, Ore. Ries worked security jobs at an airport and a shopping center, and friends said he hoped one day to get a job in corrections or with Portland police. Loper said Ries never complained about his Iraq experience. "I figured at one point he would be up to talking about it," Loper said. "I never expected not to have another chance to talk to him." Ries is survived by his wife, Mandy, and two young children.
25/09/2009Donna Loper
We still miss you here in Vancouver, Dave. Sleep well young man !