Oceanside: Flags At Half Mast In Honor Of Marines

Press release from the City of Oceanside:

August 06, 2020

Flags at Half Mast in Honor of Marines

At the City Council meeting on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, the Mayor read the following:

”It's with deep sadness that the City of Oceanside recognizes the Marines who lost their lives in last week's tragic accident. We are long time partners with Camp Pendleton and proudly welcome Marines as they visit our City while serving. While none of those killed were Oceanside natives, all called this area home while stationed on base, and we count them as members of our community.

Last Thursday, eight Marines and one Sailor were killed off the coast of California:

Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 19, of Corona, California, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU

Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, 21, of Montebello, California, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU

Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU

U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem, 22, of Stockton, California, a hospital corpsman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU

Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21, of Bend, Oregon, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU

Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd, 23, of Harris, Texas, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU

Lance Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, 19, of Portland, Oregon, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU

Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, of Riverside, California, a rifleman with Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, 15th MEU

On behalf of the City Council and entire City of Oceanside, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for their service to our country and the service of all men and women in our military. At the closing of the Council meeting, I will be asking Council to adjourn the meeting in their memory. In the meantime, I hope that our entire community will join me in prayer for these families during this tragic time.”

Flags at City facilities will fly at half-mast through Friday in honor of these young men.

This press release was produced by the City of Oceanside. The views expressed here are the author’s own.