Military: Those Killed in Iraq reported by the Dallas Chronicle, Wasco Co., Oregon

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Earline Wasser <vhambv@hotmail.com.    July 2004
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Spc. Linden Remembered For His Charm
By Typh Tucker 
Associated Press writer
The Dalles Chronicle  June 15, 2004

CLACKAMAS – In the second of three memorial services this week honoring Oregon soldiers
Killed in Iraq, Spc. Justin Linden was remembered Monday for his comic charm, love of music and
Devotion to his country.

Linden volunteered for service after the shock of the September 11 [2001] terrorist attacks. Once in
The war, however, he was able to joke in letters to his wife, Sarah, about the less-than-ideal
Conditions and the strange sights in the desert.

“One day we were driving and we heard, ‘It’s coming right at us,’ Linden read aloud at the 
service. “We looked up and there was a camel about to T-bone our Humvee. It missed us, but it
was pretty funny.”

Linden, 22, died June 4 when his vehicle pulled over to help a unit from New Jersey struck by a
Bomb. A second explosive device went off as Linden and another soldier, Sgt. Nathan Melton,
Exited their truck to secure the blast site.

Governor Ted Kulongoski, attending his second memorial service in two day, told Linden’s family:
“The people of Oregon wrap their arms around you…Together we have lost a wonderful and
courageous young man.”

Also killed in attack were Sgt. Justin Eyerly, whose memorial took place on Sunday, and Lt. Erik S.
McCrae, whose memorial service will be later this week. All were from the 2nd Battalion, 
162nd Infantry, based in Cottage Grove [Oregon]. Officials have called the June 4 attack the 
worst single loss for the Oregon National Guard since World War II.