R.I.P. Lance Cpl. Rick J. Centanni

Marine Lance Cpl. Rick J. Centanni
Died March 24, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

19, of Yorba Linda, Calif.; assigned to the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4thMarine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died March 24 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Also killed was Sgt. Maj. Robert J. Cottle.

(The following was taken from www.ktla.com of Apr. 2, 2010) LOS ALAMITOS-- The body of a 19 year old Marine Lance Corporal who was killed in Afghanistan was returned to his and family and friends in a ceremony Friday.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers, firefighters, active-duty armed forces, veterans and civilians attended the tearful tribute at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.

Attendees held American flags and saluted as armed forces members transported the coffin containing the body of Marine Lance Cpl. Rick J. Centanni, 19.

Centanni,who entered the military just weeks out of high school in 2008, was in a vehicle that was destroyed by an improvised explosive device, said his father, Jon Centanni, a sergeant in charge of investigations for the Santa Ana Police Department's gang unit.

Centanni wanted to become a police officer just like his father, a 25-veteran on the force.

Centanni's close friend, Sgt. Major Robert J. Cottle, 45, a member of the elite LAPD SWAT team, was also killed.