MUSCODA, WI, USA U.S. Marines PFC, WPNS CO, 2D BN, 5TH MAR, BCT-2, 1ST MAR DIV, CAMP PENDLETON, CA AL ANBAR PROVINCE, IRAQ 10/09/2004
After Andrew Halverson graduated from Marine boot camp, he and his uncle went shopping for clothes on snazzy Hollywood Boulevard. Halverson, wearing his Marine uniform, walked with his head hung low.
“He was unsure of himself and what he was,” said Halverson’s uncle, Rodney McFall.
As they progressed down the street, Halverson began receiving salutes of “Semper Fi,” the Marine motto, from men along the street. “He started walking proud,” McFall recalled. “I was proud, proud of Andrew the man and Andrew the Marine.”
Halverson, 19, of Grant, WI. died October 9th one day shy of his 20th birthday He graduated from high school in 2003 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton.
His parents, Angela McFall and Joel Halverson, survive him.
Friends Marine Lance Cpl. Chad Pauls and Army National Guard Pfc. Jacob Lundgren recalled good times with Halverson in the days before he left for Iraq. When asked what they would say to him today, Pauls said: “Thanks for going over there and fighting for us.” Lundgren responded: “You did your job. Now it is our turn.”