Christopher Esckelson laid to rest

VASSAR -- Clearly, Cpl. Christopher Esckelson loved ketchup.

The proof was in the handwritten notes posted outside of the gym at Vassar High School, where the 22-year-old Marine, a 2002 graduate, was mourned at his funeral Sunday afternoon.

Among the somber notes recalling a brave and loving Esckelson, who eventually wanted to become a doctor, were more lighthearted memories: "Double cheeseburger without cheese, extra ketchup" and "2 a.m. taquito run. I need more ketchup."

And the most detailed: "Captain and Coke. Button-down shirts. White T-shirts. Sweating in the clubs. Ketchup."

Esckelson was killed Dec. 28 in Fallujah, Iraq, two days shy of his 23rd birthday. His mother, Michelle Hill, said last week that he was about to inspect a truck when a sniper hidden in a nearby parked car shot him.

Two others were killed in the attack, including 20-year-old Lance Cpl. Nicholas Miller of Silverwood. His services were held Saturday, according to the Associated Press. Esckelson and Miller belonged to the Bravo Company, 1st Battalion of the 24th Marines.

Esckelson was featured in a Free Press photo published on Christmas Eve that was part of a series of articles on his unit.

Esckelson, who school officials said seemed to always have a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, played several sports in school, including football.

"Chris played the game like he played life -- with great passion," said Esckelson's former football coach Vince Leveille.

A crowd of hundreds packed the gym, forcing many to stand during the service. Eulogies from family members, which were read, recalled an avid hunter, a proud older brother of two siblings, an independent son and a friend to both his parents.

"Chris and I were more than father and son," wrote David Esckelson. "His problems were mine and mine were his."

His younger brother Craig, 19, wrote his eulogy in letter-form to his brother, saying that he'd always remember their time hunting: "Every time I sit in the woods watching the sun rise and set, I will think of you."

The service began after a three-hour visitation. Friends, family and strangers passed Esckelson's flag-draped casket, pausing occasionally as his fellow Marines stoically approached to salute their slain comrade.

Parents in close-knit Vassar, north of Frankenmuth in the middle of the Thumb, said many of the town's young men plan to join the Marines after graduating from high school. Esckelson's death hasn't seemed a deterrent, said Sharon Tausch, whose son Travis plans to sign up at the end of the month, when he turns 18.

"A lot of the boys here see an opportunity to do better for themselves," she said, her eyes welling as she said Travis is the only boy of triplets.

Samantha Reasner, 20, of Owosso, Esckelson's girlfriend of three years, last saw him when she drove him to the airport last spring for a flight to California, where he went before deploying to Iraq.

"I got lost in our last kiss," her eulogy read. "I now spend every moment of every day thinking of him."

At the service's end, family members turned to face the crowd in gratitude. Their faces were already tear-streaked, and they began crying again as they looked upon the crowd -- so large that it spilled from the gym into the adjacent cafeteria.

Esckelson, said those who knew him, was a leader and friend to many.

"He fought for our country," said school Superintendent Randy Middlin. "He fought for our freedom. And he gave his life for us."

From the Free Press

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