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International News Title: Marine from Sprague dies in Iraq roadside bombing - a husband, a father and a Marine, whose ring tone played "The 8th of November" by country musicians Big & Rich Marine from Sprague dies in Iraq roadside bombing Derek Jones' family recalls his smile and dedication to his wife, child and country A 2003 graduate of Sprague High School whose family lives in the Salem area was killed in Iraq on Sunday, the Department of Defense announced Thursday. Marine Lance Cpl. Derek Jones, 21, died from injuries suffered when a roadside bomb exploded while he was on patrol in the Anbar province. "We're heartbroken," said his mother, Laurie Hadden of Keizer. "He was a local hero. That's what we care about." Despite the family's loss, Derek's brother, Chad, a senior at Sprague and a captain on the football team, chose to play in Thursday's night's league game in Keizer against McNary High. "I know this is what my brother would have wanted," Chad said. At the beginning of the game, Chad led his teammates onto the field carrying an American flag in tribute to his oldest brother. Each Sprague player wore an American flag sticker on the back of his helmet. Although he is primarily a linebacker on defense, Chad played some offense on Thursday and scored two touchdowns in Sprague's 49-13 win. Derek joined the Marine Corps in 2003. He served eight months in Afghanistan and left for Iraq last month for a second tour. Derek was with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force based in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Laurie and her daughter Katie Highberger, a freshman at McNary, visited Derek and his family in Hawaii a few weeks ago before his second deployment. Laurie said that while the family vacationed together on the island, Derek spent as much time as he could with his wife, Pamela, and daughter Madison, 1. "The best thing about him was his smile," Laurie said. "And his daughter's got his smile." Derek's father, Jeff Jones of Salem, said his son was committed to being a husband, a father and a Marine, whose ring tone played "The 8th of November" by country musicians Big & Rich. "I think the greatest gift is my granddaughter and his love," Jeff said. "He wanted to give her a little brother in the future, but that won't happen." Friends and family described Derek as an outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. While at Sprague, Derek played football and racquetball. Kary Hadden, Derek's uncle and Sprague's wrestling coach and an assistant football coach, said his nephew truly believed in what he was doing in Iraq. "He was willing to make the sacrifice for our country," Hadden said. Before Thursday's game in Keizer, the crowd honored Derek with a moment of silence. One of Derek's high school friends, Ovi Moran, wiped his eyes as the band played the Star-Spangled Banner. "He was courageous. He didn't back down from anything, any obstacle," Moran said. Friends and family huddled in the middle of the visiting team bleachers. Sprague fans, including Sprague High School principal Cheryl Bower, also wore flags in memory of Derek. "We're here to help," Bower said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family." His father said Derek kept in touch with the family via e-mail and cell phone. Derek e-mailed his father after arriving in Kuwait, saying how beautiful it was and "like Portland, but no grass." His family constantly sent care packages to Derek while he was deployed, boxes full of beef jerky, candy, Power bars, and his favorite snack: Pop Tarts. Derek was one of two Marines from the battalion who died that day in separate battles, a Marines spokesman said. He is at least the 64th member of the military with strong Oregon ties who has died during service in Iraq and Afghanistan. At least nine had ties to the Mid-Willamette Valley and three graduated from a Salem high school.
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