R.I.P. Staff Sgt. Christopher W. Eckard

Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher W. Eckard
Died February 20, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

30, of Hickory, N.C.; assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died Feb. 20 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

(The following was taken from www2.hickoryrecord.com of Feb. 23, 2010) Military officials have confirmed two North Carolina-based Marines died while fighting in Afghanistan.

The Department of Defense said in a statement early Tuesday that 30-year-old Staff Sgt. Christopher W. Eckard of Hickory, died Saturday and 25-year-old Lance Cpl. Adam D. Peak, of Florence, Ky., died Sunday. Both were assigned to Camp Lejeune.

The military says both were killed while supporting combat operations in Helmand province. Details haven't been released.

Eckard was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force. Peak was with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.