About Juston T. Thacker

LCpl Juston Tyler Thacker was a 21 year old Marine from Mercer County in West Virginia.

After completing his first semester of college, Juston was so moved by the tragedy of 9/11 he decided to join the military. On March 18, 2002 Juston Thacker joined the United States Marine Corp. He served his first overseas duty as an embassy guard in Kabul, Afghanistan in December 2002. On June 24, 2004, 6 weeks into his second tour in Afghanistan, LCpl Juston Thacker was killed in the line of duty serving his Country. Juston was proud to be a Marine, proud to be an American and honored to champion the cause of freedom.

Juston was 2001 graduate of Princeton Senior High School. He was a member of the PSHS Tiger football Team and served as co-captain during the 2000 season. In his senior season the team posted a 9-3 record and won one playoff game. He also was on the track team and wrote for the school newspaper. He was an avid hunter, a Slush Puppy connoisseur and a die hard Buffalo Bills fan.

To his family he was a precious gift from our Heavenly Father. Words cannot express the magnitude of our love nor the depths of our sorrow. He was a beloved son, fiance, grandson, brother, nephew and cousin. From He-man to Slush Puppies we all possess priceless memories to be cherished in our hearts forever. To his family he was already a hero as we watched him persevere through many struggles with integrity and courage. Thank You, Juston, for your love, support and all of your jokes. But most of all Thank You for your presence that so richly blessed us all.

Quotes About Juston

Junior High Teacher: I had Juston as a student in Glenwood Junior High in the last year of my teaching career. He will always be remembered by me as one of the finest kids I ever had in class.

High School Friend: He was such a jokester in High School. He was always making people laugh. I think that is what I will miss most about him. Thacker made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, which shows how unselfish he was.

Excerpt from Editorial in Bluefield Daily Telegraph: And to you Lance Cpl. Juston Thacker, we can only say thank you. Thank you for doing your duty. Thank you for protecting our rights and liberties through your service to our country. And, most importantly, thank you for being our hero.

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