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A funeral procession from Annunciation Catholic Church in Waimea to the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery for a noon service. Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7
Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor
Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher Camero was laid to rest Thursday at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery.
Camero, 19, died July 15 in Germany from injuries he received July 6 while serving in Afghanistan.
He attended Waimea Middle School and graduated Honokaa High School in 2010. Immediately following graduation, Camero fulfilled a life-long dream and joined the U.S. Marine Corp.
In April, he was deployed to Afghanistan, where he served with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Twentynine Palms, Calif.
During his 13 months in the Marines, Camero was awarded include the Combat Action Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Afghanistan Campaign Medal. He also received a posthumous Purple Heart.
Camero, who was born in the Philippines and moved to the Big Island as a young boy, is survived by parents Carlos and Norma; Sarrah Jane; and grandmothers, Lucia Labiano and Lapaz Camero.
From the memorial program:
You risked your life for others
Each and every day
Understanding and accepting the potential cost
That someday you might pay
For such is the path of a Hero
A terrain where only the brave would chose to go
For ’tis like a mountain pass, narrow and rugged
Far removed from the peaceful valley down below
Yet you walked that difficult path daily
Seeing harsh things, while doing such good
And we loved and respected your courage
More than you understood
And you were a blessing to countless people
Through you selfless and courageous deeds …
Video courtesy of Barbara Cooper
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