My walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Marine CPL Joshua C. Watkins, Age 25 of Jacksonville, FL.
KIA Oct. 21, 2006 Operation Iraqi Freedom
He was assigned to 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
A 1999 graduate of Allen D. Nease High School, Josh was a student at UNF for three years when he decided to leave school and enlist in the Marines. He chose the Marines because of their elite status and, specifically, chose infantry as his specialty knowing he would probably go to Iraq. Tragically on October 21, 2006, ten days before he was due to return home to Camp Lejune, North Carolina, he was killed in action in the Anbar Province of Iraq.
He loved the Marine Corps, his family and his country. An only child, Josh truly believed he was fighting over there so that his mother and others could be safe over here. He felt that fighting terrorism in Iraq would prevent having to fight it here.
We had a great walk. We walked to the Memorial Park down town and then to the City Cemetery to visit some of our Fallen Veterans. I want to thank everyone that honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero.
Marine CPL Joshua C. Watkins will not be forgotten !
