Marine combat fatalities in Ramadi

The 1/5 Marines in Ramadi have suffered several combat fatalities in recent weeks. The unit replaced the 2/5 Marines, although there has been no public confirmation that the 1/5 Marines are operating under the 2nd BCT (although that unofficially appears to be the case and is assumed here).
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The Department of Defense announced the deaths of 2 Marines on 2.21.2005. Cpl. Kelly M. Cannan and Lance Cpl. Marty G. Mortenson were killed in Ramadi on 4.20.2005 "as the result of the detonation of an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in Ar Ramadi, Iraq." NY Newsday indicates that the soldiers were riding in a humvee when an IED exploded.

Cpl. Cannan was from Lowville, NY. According to New York Newsday, Cpl. Cannan was on his 3rd tour in Iraq, and apparently had volunteered for the assignment. He joined the Marines in 2001 after briefly working in the maintenance department of a county courthouse. WSTM News indicates that flags were lowered to half-staff on 4.27.2005 in his honor. WWTI News reports that his funeral was held on Wednesday, 4.27.2005. He was 21 years old.

Lance Cpl. Mortenson was from Flagstaff, AZ. According to the Arizona Republic and AZ Daily Sun, he was also on his 3rd tour in Iraq. Pictures of Lance Cpl. Mortenson can be found at The AZ Daily Sun. The AZ Daily Sun reported that his funeral was held on 4.27.2005 in Flagstaff. He was 22 years old.
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The Department of Defense announced the death of a Marine on 4.18.2005. Capt. James C. Edge was killed on 4.14.2005 "by enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq." Capt Edge, of Virginia Beach, VA, was 31 years old. According to the Washington Post, North County Times, cA, and The Hampton Roads Virginian-Pilot Cpt Edge was an Eagle Scout and a 1996 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute. He previously served in Iraq with the 1/5 Marines, with reported operations in Fallujah in April 2004 during the initial assault on the city. He was married and the father of two young girls.
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The Department of Defense announced the death of a Marine on 4.5.2005. Cpl. Garrywesley T. Rimes died on 4.1.2005 "as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq." Cpl Rimes, of Santa Monica, CA, was 30 years old. According to the Santa Maria Times and North County Times, NC, he was killed while providing protection for medics as they treated a fellow Marine. The Santa Maria Times reprinted a letter from the family of Lcpl Daryl F. Brown Jr., who was the wounded Marine being treated at the time. According to the letter, "A diesel truck loaded with 50 155s was driven into the building where [LCpl Brown] and his entire battalion were." LCpl Brown was the only Marine injured, and "fellow Marines made a circle of protection around [him] and the medics," at which time Cpl Rimes was killed. LCpl Brown's family said in the letter: "Cpl. Rimes is our hero."

A native of the Phillipines, Cpl Rimes enlisted in the Marines in 1996, a year after his arrival in the US. He left the Marines in 2001, but reenlisted in 2004. The Santa Maria Times reported on his funeral services, which were held on 4.16.2005.
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Cpl Rimes, Cpt Edge, Lance Cpl Mortenson, and Cpl Cannan are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Marines of the 1/5 Marines to die in Iraq on this current tour of duty, and the 72nd, 73rd, 74th, and 75th 2nd BCT servicemen killed in Iraq serving our country. Our hearts go out to their families.