LDS Marines die in Afghanistan
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Two LDS Marines died recently in separate combat incidents while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Killed were:
— U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Carlos A. Aragon, 19, of Orem, Utah.
— U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Nigel K. Olsen, 21, of Salem, Utah.
Both men were graduates of Utah's Mountain View High School and lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan's Helmand Province.
Lance Cpl. Aragon was killed March 1 when he reportedly triggered an improvised explosive device while on a foot patrol. He had been assigned to the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion from Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Lance Cpl. Aragon was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and moved with his family to Orem when he was 5.
The Marine was remembered at March 6 funeral services as a good friend who didn't shy away from hard things. He joined the Marine Corps because it represented a tough challenge.
Robert Gardner was one of Lance Cpl. Aragon's former bishops. He remembered the young man's passion for skateboarding, playing the guitar and working on old cars.
"He was a quiet, humble young man. He didn't need any fame. He didn't need any glory," said Bishop Gardner.
Following the service, Lance Cpl. Aragon was buried with military honors at Veterans Memorial Park near Camp Williams, Utah. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Rosa and Brad Halliday.
Lance Cpl. Olsen died March 4 while supporting combat operations in the Helmand province, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. He had been assigned to the same Marine battalion as Lance Cpl. Aragon,
The youngest of 10 children, he is survived by his parents, L. Todd and Kim Olsen, and several siblings.
Lance Cpl. Olsen had long planned to join the military and serve his country. "He had a deep patriotism and took honor in flying the American flag at his home," his obituary noted.
A student of military history, the young Marine enlisted in the Corps a week after his high school graduation. He was an Eagle Scout and a seminary graduate. He had been attending the Salem Singles Ward prior to his deployment to Afghanistan.
Funeral services for Lance Cpl. Olsen are planned for Saturday, March 13, at 11 a.m. at the Salem West Stake Center, 695 S. 300 West.
