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View Full Version : Deadly weekend for Marines in Afghanistan



bobdina
07-27-2009, 07:49 PM
Staff report
Posted : Monday Jul 27, 2009 19:13:09 EDT

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Four North Carolina-based Marines have died supporting combat operations in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, according to reports.

Sgt. Ryan H. Lane, 25, of Allegheny, Pa., Cpl. Nicholas G. Xiarhos, 21, of Barnstable, Mass., and Lance Cpl. Jeremy S. Lasher, 27, of Madison, N.Y., were killed Thursday, according to a Marine news release. Pfc. Donald W. Vincent, 26, of Gainesville, Fla., died Saturday.

All four men were part of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, which launched a major offensive in southern Afghanistan earlier this month to boost security in the area and weed out Taliban fighters ahead of upcoming elections.

Lane was an infantry scout team leader with Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, at Camp Lejeune. He joined the Corps in July 2002 and deployed to Afghanistan for seven months in 2004.

Xiarhos and Lasher were assaultmen with Lejeune’s Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, according to the release.

Xiarhos joined the Corps in June 2006. He served a seven-month tour in Iraq last year.

Lasher enlisted in October 2006 and served in Iraq from October 2007 to May 2008. He is survived by his wife.

Vincent was an assaultman and joined the Corps in January 2008.