Marine Sgt. Bradley Korthaus, 28, top left, of Davenport, Iowa, loved being a Marine.  He was proud of his service, honored to wear the uniform, and believed strongly in what the Marines stood for.  His mother, Marilyn Korthaus Riley, bottom left with husband Fran Riley, said Brad missed the Marines after his four-year commitment was over.  He joined the Marine Reserves about a year after he got out.  "He was a very a good Marine," said Marilyn.  "He was very proud to be a Marine. The Marines have such a way -- they are very proud people. He never would have been happy in any other branch."

Brad joined Engineering Company C, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, based in Peoria, Illinois.  His unit was sent to Iraq on January 18, 2003. Marilyn says their main mission was construction. 

Korthaus died on March 24, 2003, while crossing the Saddam Canal with three other Marines.  Sgt. Korthaus and Cpl. Evan James, 20, of La Harpe, Illinois, drowned.  They were going across the waterway to set up a fire support position for a water purification unit on the other side of the canal.

Marilyn said she believes strongly in President Bush and the decisions he has made.  "We have a job to do over there,” said Marilyn.  "We cannot have these people over here on our soil.  We have to finish that war, and pulling out now would be a disaster. It would be a slap in the face for all of our men and women who have died."