Echo in Ramadi
Page 29
Bobby Lee—Bobby Lee married his college sweetheart, Meghan, and they have three beautiful children. He went on to take company command and serve in Afghanistan. He received the Bronze Star Medal for bravery. Now a major, he is currently serving as an advisor at the Expeditionary Warfare School training young captains.
Geni Libby—Geni Libby retired from the McDonald’s Corporation and is happily living in Castle Hill, Maine. She leads a quiet life now and enjoys reading and staying close to home. The Marines from Echo Company call her often and let her know that we are always thinking about her.
Judd Libby—Judd is retired and lives in Caribou, Maine. He struggled for years after the loss of Dustin but is doing well and still keeps in touch with many of the Marines of Echo Company for support.
James “Mac” Mackenzie—After 2007, Mac went on to lead a scout sniper platoon with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. He deployed again to Afghanistan on another combat tour and retired from the Marines in 2015. He is pursuing his undergraduate degree and lives in Spokane, Washington, with his wife and four children.
Donna and Gary Matus—The Matuses still live in the country house that their son grew up in in western Wisconsin. Gary hunts and fishes, and Donna is semi-retired and works from home.
Brian McKibben—McKibben is still on active duty as an infantryman and is currently the assistant operations chief for 2d Battalion, 8th Marines. He continues to serve proudly and is happily married with three beautiful children stationed in North Carolina.
John McLaughlin—Shortly after returning from Iraq, McLaughlin was selected from Echo Company to lead an Advisory Team for the Iraqi Army and returned months later. He was hand-selected to lead a USMC Silent Drill Platoon at the prestigious Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. He served as a company commander in 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, and then left the Marines after ten years of honorable service. McLaughlin, his wife, and their twin daughters live in Dallas, Texas, where he is currently pursuing his MBA while working as senior leader at a national real estate management company.
Christopher Muscle—Muscle was inspired as a combat lifesaver in the Marines to continue his medical training. He has pursued a career as a full-time firefighter where he is one of the youngest ever to attain the rank of lieutenant within his department. He went on to get his bachelor’s degree and is currently working on his master’s degree. He lives in Argyle, Texas, with his wife and two amazing boys.
Jonathan Neris—Since 2006, Jonathan continued to serve in other units in the USMC as a marksmanship instructor, an intelligence specialist, and finished his service as a recruiter in Chicago, Illinois. After ten years of honorable service, Jonathan is now in the civilian world. He currently works as a welder and resides with his wife, son, and daughter in Illinois.
Jared Norrell—Jared completed his career in the U.S. Army and retired honorably in 2012. He has an MBA and currently serves as the president at Lyman Ward Military Academy in Alabama where he lives with his family.
Mike “Dolby” Perkins—Mike lives in southern California with his wife and two children. He retired from the Marines in 2015 and is flying commercial aircraft for Southwest Airlines.
Joseph Raney—Raney left the Marines and moved to the Tacoma area and went to work in the private sector. He struggled with PTS and has benefited from connecting with other vets. He is happy now with his family and three beautiful children. He still misses the Marines of Echo Company everyday—he feels they’re still a part of him.
Richard “Bam-Bam” Rasmussen—“Bam-Bam” went on to be a flight instructor in Florida in 2007. He earned a master’s degree in Military Studies from the Marine Corps in 2011. He returned to the operating forces flying CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters until 2015. He currently serves as the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Airfield Operations Officer. He lives in southern California.
Calvin Spencer—Spencer left active duty in 2009 and studied culinary arts and graduated from Le Cordon Bleu. He was the head chef at a prominent restaurant in Long Beach, California, before co-founding Bastard’s American Canteen with Nick Velez in 2012, where he manages the entire food selection and menu for their thriving business.
Matt Scott—Matt transferred to 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, and made another deployment overseas. He was honorably discharged from the Marines in 2010 and began his studies at UCLA. Matt lives in southern California and is a private security contractor for the U.S. Department of State.
Peter Somerville—Somerville left active duty in 2008. Since then, he has worked for several nonprofit organizations and political campaigns, including advocacy for veteran causes. He now lives in Arlington, Virginia, and works for a tech startup providing funding for veteran-owned small businesses.
Drew “Tex” Sturrock—Tex is a singer and songwriter in Tyler, Texas. He is married and has two beautiful daughters. His motto is, “Find the silver lining in everything you do—life, love, and laughter.”
Nick Velez—Nick is the president and co-founder of Save the Brave, a certified non-profit foundation that connects veterans through outreach programs that struggle with PTS. He is the owner of two successful restaurants, affectionately called Bastard’s American Canteen, in both Downey and Temecula, California. He’s pursuing his bachelor’s degree.