Lance Cpl. Aaron M. Swanson, age 21 of Jamestown died in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan on February 7, 2011, of injuries sustained from a roadside bomb.
He was a rifleman assigned to India Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve from Buffalo. The unit of approximately 120 reservists was activated last May and deployed late last summer. This was the infantry company's second tour in the war zone since 2005 when it was sent to Iraq.
Aaron M. Swanson joined the Marine Forces Reserve, hoping it would give him some direction. He was raised in Lakewood, a small village of 3,200 people on the south end of Chautauqua Lake. In 2007, Aaron Swanson graduated from Southwestern High School, where he ran track and played football during his senior year.
He joined the reserves on May 18, 2009 and was assigned to India Company. He went through basic training, then returned to JCC to pursue a degree in criminal justice, when he was called to active duty last May. Aaron deployed in August and was promoted to the rank of lance corporal in December.
His personal awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the NATO Medal-International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan.
In addition to his stepmother Julie, Aaron Swanson is survived by his father, Gene; his mother, Michelle Ford; two brothers, Luke and Benjamin; and two sisters, Torianna and Kiersten.
Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Aaron M. Swanson is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen
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