Marine killed in Afghanistan remembered

FORSYTH (AP)

A Colstrip Marine who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan was remembered Saturday as a "hero" who was "always in the front" during his duties in the military. About 600 people attended the memorial service of 23-year-old Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson, who was killed in the Helmand province on Jan. 27 during combat operations. A procession of more than 100 vehicles stretching about a mile long traveled from a baseball field in Colstrip east to the Johnson family ranch. As their 3-yearold son Landan and 8-month-old daughter Aspyn sat with family, Johnson's wife Nikki said her husband was "the most amazing man in the world." She described him as "always in the front" during his Marine duties because "he didn't sign up to sit behind a desk." While they may not remember him, their children will "grow up knowing their dad's a hero," she said. Johnson received military honors, including the playing of taps and a volley of gunfire, from fellow Marines. He also was awarded a Purple Heart and a folded American flag was presented to his family during the service, which was attended by Gov. Brian Schweitzer. Johnson's father, Tom, said, "Trevor did what he was doing for everybody in America," and he wished he had half the courage his son had. The younger Johnson, a fifth-generation rancher, was an engineer with the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. His parents said heJoined the Marines right out of high school and routinely took the point position on patrols during his three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Feb. 24.