R.I.P. Sgt. Christopher R. Hrbek

Marine Sgt. Christopher R. Hrbek

25, of Westwood, N.J; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Jan. 14 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

(Taken from www.newsobserver.com of Jan. 16, 2010) WESTWOOD, N.J. -- The Defense Department says a Marine sergeant based in North Carolina has been killed in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Christopher R. Hrbek, of Westwood, died Thursday during a combat operation in Helmand province. Family members say he was killed by an improvised explosive device.

Hrbek joined the Marines in 2002 shortly after graduating from Westwood High School.

He was a nine-year member of the Westwood Fire Department and came from a family of firefighters.

His stepfather, Jaymee Hodges, said Hrbek was due to receive a Bronze Star for valor for helping save the life of a wounded comrade in December.

Hrbek, 25, was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, home based at Camp Lejeune.