CAMP JOHNSON, N.C. – A U.S. Marine from the east was buried today after being killed in action in Afghanistan.
Staff Sergeant Leon Lucas Jr. was fatally wounded by an RPG attack earlier this month.
A funeral was held today at the Grace Baptist Church in Jacksonville.
Hundreds of people gathered there to honor the Marine who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Family and friends gathered together to remember the life of Staff Sgt. Leon Horace Lucas Jr.
The room was filled of mixed emotions, deep loss yet even deeper pride.
Staff Sgt. Lucas or "Junior" as he was known by his loved ones was serving in the United States Marine Corps in Afghanistan.
On August 1st his unit was attack by an RPG.
Lucas was severely injured and died shortly after.
"He answered the call of duty giving his life at the very last, that men might live in peace, and freedom from fear be past," said Willie Lucas. His uncle said ever since junior was young, he was a man of integrity. "He was a man that was polite. He had the most firmest handshake I've ever known and he could hug the stuffing out of you"
Lucas leaves behind his two sons and his wife, who is pregnant with their third child.
His father, Leon Lucas Sr., who is a pastor and also served in the military, said junior's faith is what kept him going, "Not only did he keep my son here in life, but let me tell you also, that God will keep my son in eternity."
He said that although his son will be missed, he knows that it's not goodbye forever, “By you seeing us here today you have no idea the depths that we sank to momentarily when he heard God had taken our son. But God's grace is sufficient that he's pick us up."
"Lucas' father said that when someone asked him how he can deal with the loss of his son, he said 'it's because I know where he is. That it wasn't the one with the RPG that took his life, but it was God.
Staff Sergeant Leon Lucas was buried at Coastal Carolina Veteran Cemetery at Camp Johnson.
---Previous Story by Associated Press, Marine sergeant from Wilson killed in Afghanistan---
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (AP) - Military officials say a Marine Corps sergeant from Wilson has been killed in Afghanistan.
The Department of Defense announced Tuesday that 32-year-old Staff Sgt. Leon H. Lucas Jr. died Aug. 1 during combat operations in Helmand province.
Lucas was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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