MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 7 and families came together at the Protestant Chapel Saturday to mourn the loss of Staff Sgt. Abraham G. Twitchell, who died April 2 near Al Asad, Iraq, when the seven-ton truck in which he was riding rolled over during a flash flood.
Twitchell was a 27-year-old Yelm, Wash., native serving as the weapons infantry chief with CLB-7 during the deployment, which began in February.
The Marines who served with Twitchell remember him as an ideal Marine, a man with a great sense of humor, a loving father and husband, and a great leader.
“He was a great man to be around,” said 1st Sgt. Jimmy S. Sanchez, Headquarters Company first sergeant, CLB-7. “He always brought a smile with him wherever he went. What I remember the most was he was always willing to teach something to someone. He never gave the easy answer to anyone. He even tried teaching me a few things.
“He was a loyal friend, a loyal husband and a loyal father,” continued Sanchez. “He was very proud of his kids…he thought about them a lot. He talked about his family a lot.”
Twitchell’s father, Maurice Twitchell, spoke to the Marines during the ceremony.
“This is the hardest moment of my life – from the moment the Marines showed up at my doorstep,” said Maurice. “I know when Abraham died, he was angry. He knows he has a wife and kids… he had a duty. But, he had to accept it.
“I wish I could stand here in the uniform of a Marine today,” continued Maurice. “I love you all and respect you for what you do.”
Twitchell was born Jan. 20, 1978, in Olympia, Wash. He enlisted in the Marine Corps July 15, 1996, and reported to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. His initial military occupational specialty was small arms repair specialist. His first duty station was with Marine Air Logistics Squadron 26 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.
In December 1999, at the rank of sergeant, Twitchell reenlisted and received orders for duty at Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico, Va., with precision weapons building and repair. Again, Twitchell reenlisted in November 2003 and was promoted to staff sergeant. He was then transferred to CLB-7 at the Combat Center and was assigned to be the infantry weapons operations chief with Ordnance Platoon. Twitchell deployed Feb. 8 with CLB-7 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Twitchell’s awards included the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, three Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Lt. Michael A. Taylor, the Headquarters Battalion chaplain, spoke to the gathering before the service ended.
“God understands the feeling of pain,” said Taylor. “But, he says the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. When we come together for this sad day, we can honor the great life this man had. No one really knows much about anyone when they’re born, but we know their whole life when they die. And today we honor his.”
Twitchell is survived by his wife Stephanie, and his three children, Zachery, Zane and Makenzy.