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James Moore: Remembered for his easy-going nature
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ENLARGE
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A Roseburg man was among 31 soldiers killed Wednesday when a military transport helicopter crashed in western Iraq.
U.S. Marine Cpl. James Lee Moore, 24, was inside the CH-53E Super Stallion along with 29 other Marines and one sailor. The cause of the crash is unknown. Military officials said the helicopter was flying through a severe desert sandstorm at the time of the crash.
Moore was the first Douglas County resident killed in the Iraq war.
Three Marines in dress blue uniforms came to the door of Moore’s father, Garry, and stepmother, Suzanne, at about 9 p.m. Wednesday. They saw the soldiers through the window before they knocked. Garry Moore, who said he had a sick feeling in his stomach all day after hearing of the crash, knew their reason for visiting.
“I already had this feeling that he was gone. And when I saw the Marines, I knew,” he said, his voice quivering during a telephone interview this morning.
James Moore, who would have turned 25 one week from today, graduated from Roseburg High School in 1999. Growing up in Roseburg, he attended Eastwood Elementary School and Joseph Lane Middle School.
Moore is survived by his father and stepmother; his mother, Darlene, of Roseburg; his older sister, Melissa Andrews; stepbrothers Philip and Jason Meisner; grandparents; and other relatives.
His mother was unavailable for comment this morning.
Jim Early, a counselor at Roseburg High, said he remembers Moore as someone who mixed in well with different groups of students.
Rather than being part of one particular group, he befriended students with a wide range of interests and backgrounds.
U.S. Marine Cpl. James Lee Moore, 24, was inside the CH-53E Super Stallion along with 29 other Marines and one sailor. The cause of the crash is unknown. Military officials said the helicopter was flying through a severe desert sandstorm at the time of the crash.
Moore was the first Douglas County resident killed in the Iraq war.
Three Marines in dress blue uniforms came to the door of Moore’s father, Garry, and stepmother, Suzanne, at about 9 p.m. Wednesday. They saw the soldiers through the window before they knocked. Garry Moore, who said he had a sick feeling in his stomach all day after hearing of the crash, knew their reason for visiting.
“I already had this feeling that he was gone. And when I saw the Marines, I knew,” he said, his voice quivering during a telephone interview this morning.
James Moore, who would have turned 25 one week from today, graduated from Roseburg High School in 1999. Growing up in Roseburg, he attended Eastwood Elementary School and Joseph Lane Middle School.
Moore is survived by his father and stepmother; his mother, Darlene, of Roseburg; his older sister, Melissa Andrews; stepbrothers Philip and Jason Meisner; grandparents; and other relatives.
His mother was unavailable for comment this morning.
Jim Early, a counselor at Roseburg High, said he remembers Moore as someone who mixed in well with different groups of students.
Rather than being part of one particular group, he befriended students with a wide range of interests and backgrounds.
“He had an easy-going nature and he was comfortable talking with just about anyone,” Early said.
His stepmother said he became interested in the military after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
A few days after the attacks, Moore went fishing with his stepbrother, Philip Meisner, who had just gotten out of the Marines. Moore told him he had been deeply affected by the terrorist activity and that he wanted to serve his country. He asked for his stepbrother’s advice and shortly thereafter joined the Marines.
“He knew what he was getting into. He was proud of what he was doing there and we’re very proud of him,” she said.
Early said Moore came to talk with him after deciding to join up. He recalls Moore being very excited and eager to help.
His stepmother said he became interested in the military after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
A few days after the attacks, Moore went fishing with his stepbrother, Philip Meisner, who had just gotten out of the Marines. Moore told him he had been deeply affected by the terrorist activity and that he wanted to serve his country. He asked for his stepbrother’s advice and shortly thereafter joined the Marines.
“He knew what he was getting into. He was proud of what he was doing there and we’re very proud of him,” she said.
Early said Moore came to talk with him after deciding to join up. He recalls Moore being very excited and eager to help.
“I thought the Marines was a good fit for him,” he said.
Suzanne Moore said her stepson was a conscientious young man who asked her and her husband to write and send packages to one of his fellow soldiers who didn’t have family at home writing to him.
“The Marine Corps toughened him up, but he was still very sensitive,” Suzanne Moore said.
Suzanne Moore said it was her understanding that 27 of the soldiers who were killed were members of her stepson’s platoon. She believes the Marine she and her husband befriended was also among those killed.
Moore was a member of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Kaneohe, Hawaii. The Associated Press reported today that 27 of those who were killed were from Kaneohe, along with four crew members from California.
Moore had been in Iraq since July. He was scheduled to return to the United States in April or May, his stepmother said. When his family spoke to him at Christmas, he was already making plans for his return.
“He was talking about coming back and becoming a guide. He loved to hunt and fish,” Suzanne Moore said.
• You can reach reporter John Sowell at 957-4209 or by e-mail at jsowell@newsreview.info.
Suzanne Moore said her stepson was a conscientious young man who asked her and her husband to write and send packages to one of his fellow soldiers who didn’t have family at home writing to him.
“The Marine Corps toughened him up, but he was still very sensitive,” Suzanne Moore said.
Suzanne Moore said it was her understanding that 27 of the soldiers who were killed were members of her stepson’s platoon. She believes the Marine she and her husband befriended was also among those killed.
Moore was a member of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Kaneohe, Hawaii. The Associated Press reported today that 27 of those who were killed were from Kaneohe, along with four crew members from California.
Moore had been in Iraq since July. He was scheduled to return to the United States in April or May, his stepmother said. When his family spoke to him at Christmas, he was already making plans for his return.
“He was talking about coming back and becoming a guide. He loved to hunt and fish,” Suzanne Moore said.
• You can reach reporter John Sowell at 957-4209 or by e-mail at jsowell@newsreview.info.
County's Iraq war casualties
Thirty-eight soldiers from Oregon or with ties to the state have died during the war in Iraq.
Marine Cpl. James Lee Moore, 24, who was killed Wednesday when the helicopter he was riding in crashed in western Iraq, was the first Douglas County soldier to die in action. Five members of the Oregon Army National Guard based in Roseburg were injured last year in Iraq and sent home. They are: Spc. Nick Bright of Roseburg, injured July 10 when a roadside bomb detonated near his Humvee in northwest Baghdad. Pfc. Max Corrigan of Canyonville, Cpl. William Congleton of Sutherlin and Staff Sgt. Travis Sigfridson, formerly of Sutherlin and now living in Eugene, injured June 23 when a bomb exploded underneath their Humvee. Staff Sgt. Corey Blanchard of Winston, injured Aug. 25 from enemy fire while securing a building in Najaf. |
