Remembering A "Star" Marine

(CBS)  It may have been one of the proudest moments of Gary Stokes's life, but it's also one he would trade for anything in the world.

This past summer, his son Sean, a Marine who had served in Iraq, told his family he was now floating on an aircraft carrier far away from danger.

"When did you know something was wrong?" CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy asked Sean's father.

"I didn't even know he was in Iraq until the Marines knocked on my door," Gary Stokes said. The Marine at his door said: "We regret to inform you that your son has been killed in Iraq."

Sean had been in Iraq for 45 days. It was the third tour for the former athlete, who chose the Marines over college after 9/11.

Was his family upset about it? Did they say, "I don't want you to do this?"

Yes, they told Tracy.

In Fallujah, Sean moved house to house hunting down Iraqi insurgents.

What he did was so dangerous it was documented by journalists.

The History Channel showed him saying: "Every house I walk up saying a prayer, like 'get me out of this one, Lord, please.'"

He was only a private, but Sean stood out, often volunteering to go in first, directly in the line of fire.

Wounded several times, he made it home - twice.

"We said, 'Sean, please, you've done your part. No more, please'" his father said.

But Sean wouldn't let down his fellow Marines. He returned to Iraq for a third time. On patrol, Sean stepped on a roadside bomb.

This week, on what would have been his 25th birthday, Sean was awarded the coveted Silver Star for courage in battle.

"The young men and women who have answered that call ... we can't just forget them," a guest said at the awards ceremony.

That goes especially for a Marine who proved at such an early age that being a hero has nothing to do with rank.

[deyojie]

Semper Fi brother, few people know of the brotherhood and esprit de corps that makes you volunteer to go back in harms way to help your family out. Always faithful (through peace time and war). Once a Marine Always a Marine.You will be missed.

[feelfree1]

Re: "Moslems like yourself pour gasoline over your "wayward" daughters and set them alight."

"Then you have the gall to call them HONOR killings."

Posted by juwboy

###

I am not a Muslim, nor am I a subscriber to any organized religion.

You must really be intent on stoking hatred towards Jewish people, to post such a hateful remark about Muslims, under the screen name of "juwboy".

Seek help.

[libsluvsuvs]

semper fi..my brother..rest in peace..

[observer2020]

RIP Marine.

[wolfear1]

My deepest sympathies to Sean''s Family. Rest easy Marine. It is an honor for this old Army grunt to salute you. Semper Fi

[rasabaka]

RIP Semper Fi

[rasabaka]

RIP Sempi Fi

[Krazcarl]

A true HERO a MAN to be loocked up to. My respects to the faimly.

[radishfish]

It was just after sunrise and down by the sea, down on the sand flats where nothing will grow
comes drumming and footsteps like out of a dream
where the gold and green waters come in
Just 9 lucky soldiers had come through the night, half of them wounded and barely alive
Just 9 out of 20 were headed for home, with 11 sad stories to tell.
I remember quite clearly when I got out of bed, I said "oh, good morning what a beautiful day." (James Taylor)

Lets see our service members come home before more have laid down their lives. Lets bring them home THIS beautiful day.
May the Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.

[archangelric]

those of us who have served know it''s not because of the politics (and often in spite of) nor politicians but of our fellow soldiers that we served and repeatedly (three tours in Iraq)

Yes, Sean deserved better - now get off your rear ends and make it happen that there are no more tours in Iraq for any more Sean''s to die in.

Get us out of King George''s war.