Natchitoches Marine Killed In Iraq

Family and friends are still in shock over the death of 28-year-old Lance Corporal Donald Champlin. Sunday Champlin was patrolling the a Al Anbar Province in Iraq, with fellow marines, when they encountered an improvised explosive device. Suffering from severe head trauma, Champlin was taken to a military hospital in Landsthul, Germany. Doctors contacted his parents with the news. Hours later Lance Corporal Champlin died from his injuries. Family members are still coping with the loss. "I`ll miss everything about him," said Champlin`s sister Brooke Wall."I didn`t want him to go. But I`m very proud of him. Champlin comes from a military family. His father and uncle both served in the Vietnam war. Champlin`s sister says it was his dream to follow in their footsteps. "My dad didn`t want him to go, especially with everything that`s going on over there now... I think in the pit of his stomach that something might happen," said Wall. Champlin leaves behind a 2-year-old son. Family members plan to hold funeral services at a military cemetary in North Carolina. Lance Corporal Donald Champlin was with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.