Joshua Sticklen remembered

Statement from the family of Joshua C. Stricklen, Corporal, U. S. Marine Corps:

"We would like to thank Joshua's many friends, our neighbors and the community for their condolences, thoughts, prayers and comfort provided to them the past week. We are blessed to have such a large family and network of friends who are helping us through this very difficult time.

"We will remember Joshua as being a very loving, charismatic and caring young man. He was a devoted husband, a loving son/brother/uncle, was proud to be a Marine and serving his country. We are all proud of his commitment to the Corps, his devoted service to his country and we are all extremely proud of his many accomplishments.

"Josh had a magnetic personality, making friends with nearly everyone he came in contact with. We never realized exactly how many friends he had until this tragic incident. More than 500 family and friends paid their respects last evening at the viewing held in Virginia Beach.
"Our home has become a gathering place for local friends and family. And, we've spent countless hours on the phone, receiving calls from close friends living and/or stationed throughout the world. Most of these friends are those from high school, NJROTC unit and fellow Marines.

"Words can't describe the loss we are feeling and it will be difficult to get through our heavy emotions and mend our broken hearts. But, we do have a sense of peace : knowing he lived life to its fullest, was a loving and devoted husband and a caring and affectionate son, brother and uncle. He touched so many lives in his short 24 years of life and was loved by all of them. Josh brought joy into everyone's heart, he was a family man and enjoyed spending as much time with us as was possible.

"Josh sacrificed his life by doing what he focused on his entire life...helping others. Although we're positive he would have preferred to pass in the presence of his family and friends, we're sure he was comforted knowing he made the ultimate sacrifice with those he adored and respected...his fellow Marines.

"Josh will be remembered by all of those whom he touched throughout his life...his family, his friends and the Corps. We are all at rest, knowing we now have our own personal Guardian Angel looking over us...it's just the way Josh is."

Comment from Dan Magistri, Local High School Friend:

"Josh is the kind of person you would spend any part of every day with, just to see what was going to happen next. Everyone has hard times and troubles, but when you look into Stick's face you would never know he had a care in the world. Josh worked harder than anyone I know. Between the days of KFC and UPS, time with Stick has always been in short supply, but when it was available it's worth it to spend with him. I will forever remember our times together. Hanging out at the house, bs-ing on the phone, grabbing a drink, playing WWF Smackdown on PS2 for hours, listening to his endless supply of stories about his exploits and his deployments. Speaking to him before every deployment and getting updates every time he came home. Josh always kept me in the know and I always keep in my prayers. I lived through his travels. His love for life, his family, and his friends is what kept us all together.

"Here's how I remember him: Blue jeans (slightly oversized and haning ever-so-slightly off his hips); no belt; black boots/shoes; sleeveless and tight t-shirt; black leather jacket; fitted FSU ballcap (worn backwards); link chain necklace; Marine Corps keychain lanyard in one packet with the black Marine Corps lighter; huge immeasurable heart; unforgettable smirk on his face and a GREAT sense of humor."

Read more tributes at WAVY 10

Related Link:
Joshua C. Sticklen killed in helicopter crash