Fallen Heroes

_Originally from Fayetteville, United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Darrell W. Boatman enlisted in 1985. GySgt Boatman was an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician based out of Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC. During his twenty year career with the Marines, GySgt Boatman deployed on numerous tours including to Kosovo and the Middle East both during the Persian Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom and received numerous awards including a Presidential Citation, the Navy Marine Commendation Medal, many more. While conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province on his third tour, GySgt Boatman was severely wounded by an IED and died two days later, on November 4, 2005. __GySgt Boatman is survived by his wife, Michelle, and their two children, Lauren and Jacob, along with his stepson, Brent.