My walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Marine CPL. Nicholas G. Xiarhos, Age 21 of Yarmouth Port, MA.
KIA July 23, 2009 during Operation Enduring Freedom
He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He along with two other Marines, died on July 23, 2009 at Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan of wounds sustained while supporting combat operations in Helmand province.
Nicholas had been serving overseas in Iraq since March 2009 as an infantry assault man for the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. His mission was to live with, work with, and train the Iraqi police.
He was six foot tall, muscular and strong, but with a gentle heart. He was a motivated and selfless young man and after returning from service in Iraq, he changed battalions so that he could be deployed to Afghanistan. His mother noted that he did not feel comfortable living an easy life and just wanted to be where the fighting action was. He graduated from high school in 2006 and was subsequently joined the Marines being assigned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. His Marine buddies considered him an awesome marine with values on the refined side. He was known for ensuring that the younger Marines minded their manners around the ladies. He insisted that they use the formal “ma’am” when addressing them.
When Police Lieutenant Steven Xiarhos, Nicholas’s father, patrols the streets of Yarmouth, he tries not to think about the patrols his 20-year-old son conducted on the other side of the world, but he does remember how the events of September 11, 2001 influenced his son who was 13 at the time. Nicholas was your classic, patriotic, ‘support our country’ kid. There was no stopping Nick from joining the Marines.
Medals & Commendations: Purple Heart, National Defense, Afghanistan Campaign, Iraq Campaign, Global War on Terror
We had a great 13.66 Mile walk today. We got to see an eagle flying. We walked by Stone Memorial High School and we went over Interstate 40 we had a lot of truckers honking at us. We stopped in the city cemetery to visit a few veterans and then made a stop up town at the war memorial park. We stood and watched the big flag flying at the bakery. I want to thank everyone that honked and waved in helping me honor this hero. It was amazing.
He will not be forgotten !
