Marine Lance Cpl. Caleb J. Powers

Died August 17, 2004 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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21, of Manfield, Wash.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; killed Aug. 17 by enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq.

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Caleb J. Powers was helped by Child Help USA as a young boy and wanted to return the favor. Powers, who at 7 was cared for by the children's group until farming relatives in Washington state adopted him five years later, was a virtual poster boy for the nonprofit organization that helps abandoned children. He dreamed of one day giving back by helping other children, like the ones who swarmed over him when he visited disadvantaged children, said Jay Cooper, a charity worker. "He was our poster Marine, just an amazing young man, a fine, inspirational young man who loved life," Cooper said. Powers, 21, of Manfield, Wash., died Aug. 17 in enemy action in Iraq’s Anbar province. He was based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Born in Pacific City, Ore., Powers went to live with his aunt and uncle in Manfield and fell in love with the farming community, enjoying tinkering with vehicles and working on the family's wheat farm. Among the survivors are his parents, and his aunt and uncle, Jackie and Mike Tupling.

— Associated Press