MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Members of Company C, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, and their families gathered May 24 on the parade deck at San Mateo to mourn the loss of their fallen comrades.

The memorial service honored Cpl. Kyle W. Powell, Cpl. Jose A. Galvan and Lance Cpl. Nicklas J. Palmer, Marines who gave everything they had to complete their mission while deployed to Iraq.

“We come here to remember the lives of three courageous Marines that spent years of energy and a life of sacrifice,” said Lt. Col. Wayne A. Sinclair, commanding officer. “These guys made the way safe for others and never flinched in the face of danger.” 

The  memorial service opened with a prayer and invocation from the chaplain and the reading of two Bible verses.  After the two verses were read, Sinclair gave his remarks and then  addressed the families of the fallen Marines.

“We engineers were called upon to provide a skill and protect others who needed security,” said Capt. Frederick J. McElman, company commander. “Each Marine has a different story to tell, and regardless of where or how we served, there was constant danger.”

Everyone remained completely silent and still as the solemn voice of Dee Abell serenaded the crowd with, “Eye on the Sparrow.” Following a special music presentation, the company commander and first sergeant gave remarks and reflected on the service of the three Marines.

Marines from the company took time to remember their  brothers-in-arms. Several Marines from Company C took the microphone and talked about the three fallen warriors who were their close friends. 

“Kyle led by example and led from the front,” said Sgt. John E. Cheze, squad leader. “He always gave everything he had.”

Roll call was sounded and names were read off a list by 1st Sgt. Dennis K. Campbell, company first sergeant. A bell was rung once for the Marines who passed away, and an honor guard from 1st Marine Division rendered a rifle volley. Marines with the company met with family members of the fallen after the service ended.

Marines took time to share personal stories with tearful family members. Many of the Marines paused for a moment of silence and paid their final respects to their fallen comrades. 

Galvan, 22, served with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion in Fallujah, Iraq, during his second deployment to the country. Galvan grew up in San Antonio. He spent a year in Iwakuni, Japan, before being stationed at Camp Pendleton. Powell, 21, served in Fallujah during his third deployment, and was also attached to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. He was born in Colorado Springs, Colo. 

Palmer, 19, deployed to the Al Anbar Province while attached to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He was a native of Great Falls, Mont., and graduated high school at Lake County High in Colorado.

“These Marines, they loved life on a level their civilian peers will never know,” McElman said.