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Dwight Marine killed in Iraq
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Tony Sapochetti
tsapochetti@pantagraph.com

DWIGHT A Dwight man died in Iraq on Thursday from a "non-hostile incident" in Al Anbar province, the U.S. military announced.

Lance Cpl. Raymond J. Holzhauer, 19, was most recently deployed to Iraq in mid-January, said Shirley Holzhauer, Raymond's grandmother, also of Dwight.

"He was home right after Christmas and then went right back in January," she said.

Shirley Holzhauer said news of Raymond Holzhauer's death came on Thursday, and that the incident is still under investigation.

Those who knew Holzhauer remembered a quiet kid who was proud of his service to his country.

"He was just a great kid," said Jim Fraher, Raymond Holzhauer's grandfather and Dwight resident. "He loved hunting and fishing."

"He had the prettiest blue eyes ever," Shirley Holzhauer said. "He was a quiet, respectful, very well-liked and he loved being a Marine and was proud of it."

Raymond was a 2005 graduate of Dwight High School. School Superintendent Dale Adams said current students have been notified.

"We did make an official announcement and we had a crisis team ready for kids to talk to," Adams said.

Adams also said Holzhauer was quiet and played football at the school for two years.

"This certainly puts a real picture of the war in Iraq," he said of the impact of Holzhauer's death on the community.

"We have had a number of kids over the last four or five years that have gone into the Marines. He came back after completing boot camp and was especially proud of what he was doing. He grew up a lot.

"One of the things about small towns is that we rally around each other, so I'm sure there's a lot of support for Ray's family."

Holzhauer was assigned to the 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marines Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The AssociatedPress contributed to this report.

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Reader comments on this story - 27 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Girl In Dwight wrote on Mar 26, 2007 9:54 PM:

" Just because it was non-hostile doesn't mean he wasn't killed, he worked in an armory, anything can happen in there. But my deepest sympathies, may god rest his soul. "

Paladin wrote on Mar 19, 2007 4:53 PM:

" Well, Ray, everyone who has ever served knows that "hero" is a four-letter word... As Army General Schwartzkopf said, "you were called, and you went". You were there for and with your buddies. You kept your honor clean. One of the best shots I've ever seen was a Maintenance Geek, and everyone called him "Big Country", because he was from a small town. God loves Medics. I'm pretty sure he has a soft spot for Maintenance, too. "

Dwight Resident wrote on Mar 19, 2007 4:10 PM:

" Born and raised in this small community, everyone knows everyone. we love it that way. when we heard that ray was enlisting, we couldn't have been prouder, was very excited to see him after boot camp and at christmas time. this sad, sad news has devestated this small community. my childrern have always looked up to ray and know want to know 'how can he be our angel when he was already our hero?' my patchwork quilt heart has a huge square for raymarine!!!! "

DTHS class of 05'er wrote on Mar 19, 2007 4:03 PM:

" I knew Raymond since elementary school and graduated with him. Yet, the article says that Ray was so quiet several times... Odd, because my memories of him are of him being glad to tell a joke or playfully gross me out with a silly story. He was a really stand-up kid, and this news is such a shock to me that it hasn't totally registered. I remember him talking with stars in his eyes about what he wanted to do (which was exactly what he wound up doing). I know there's no other way he would have preferred to live or die... It still makes my heart sink. I know you would roll your eyes at me saying this, but I wish that your life was a sacrifice we wouldn't have had to have made for this situation. Rest in peace, Ray, you will be remembered and we're all proud of you. "

Veteran wrote on Mar 19, 2007 2:17 PM:

" Every soldiers death, wether it be hostile or non-hostile, is the greatest sacrifice to any family and for our country. Our hearts and thoughts are with you and your family in this time of great tragedy. "

From Dwight wrote on Mar 19, 2007 12:33 PM:

" From the wife of a 26 year Air Force man, my deepest symapthy for your loss. I am proud of my husband and of Ray for serving our country and defending my right to write this. For all those who forgot our losses on 9-11, you will never understand that freedom is not free. "

With deepest sympathy wrote on Mar 19, 2007 9:57 AM:

" To the Holzhauer family, know that there are still many out there who believe in what your son was trying to accomplish. May he enjoy the eternal salvation in the arms of the Lord! "

simply wrote on Mar 19, 2007 9:00 AM:

" THANK YOU! "

RIP wrote on Mar 19, 2007 8:57 AM:

" My right to watch TV (or do anythign else) is not going to be affected by a Sunni blowing up a Shite in an alley of a powerless Iraqi city. The city is powerless, because a Shite blew up a Sunni power line. Lets not forget, al-Qaeda and Jihadists attacked this country long before we ever invaded Iraq. The loss of another soldier is very sad, and he should be remembered as a hero, forced into a war that never should have been fought. "

Pink Floyd wrote on Mar 19, 2007 8:56 AM:

" Nice shot news media. headlines are he was "killed" but all articles I've seen says it was a non hostile death so accidental death is more in line. In other words more than likely an accident. Then all the anti-war goobers jump all over the chance to mouth off. Including this newspaper who 's reporters are all anti-war. READ AGAIN"NON HOSTILE DEATH" SHOULD NOT HAVE A HEADLINE OF KILLED. "

To: Raymond Holzhauer's family wrote on Mar 19, 2007 8:40 AM:

" Thank you for your sacrifice. My deepest sympathy to your family. "

From An Army Wife wrote on Mar 19, 2007 8:37 AM:

" Thank You VERY Much Lance CPL Holzhauer your a true hero and will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. "

R.I.P Raymond wrote on Mar 19, 2007 8:25 AM:

" I thoughts and prayers go out to the Holzhauer Family!!! My husband is Sgt Cazee a recruiter in Bloomington and he was/is really saddened by this news. Raymond you are a true hero and you will not be forgotten. God Bless You and Your Family "

Sad wrote on Mar 19, 2007 8:11 AM:

" My condolences to this young man's family and all who loved him. May his God bless his soul with Eternal Life. "

LH wrote on Mar 19, 2007 7:47 AM:

" This war is not senseless and Raymond payed the ultimate price for the safety and security of his country. He obviously believed that he was volunteering for something very important and he was right. His death is not wasted or senseless as "The War" would like use believe. "

Friends from Dwight wrote on Mar 19, 2007 7:27 AM:

" RIP Raymond. You were proud to be serving our Country. Sincere condolences to family and friends of Raymond. You will be missed. "

otis wrote on Mar 19, 2007 7:25 AM:

" so young god bless him and his family "

to: the war wrote on Mar 19, 2007 7:21 AM:

" when you go to work, watch what you want on tv and basically enjoy the freedom of movement you obviously take for granted. i'm certain those that died so you have those freedoms appreciate your kind words. maybe you need to spend some time in one of these countries so you'll actually appreciate YOUR freedom. while my sympathies go out to the family, the young man died so you to have the freedom these people are longing for. this includes your freedom to complain without being beheaded! "

Livingston County wrote on Mar 19, 2007 7:00 AM:

" Having a son that is a Marine ( For 17 YRS ) and has been deployed 3 time to Iraq my HEART really goes out to this family. Every deployment leaves you just a little more drained. A war that should have NEVER happened have taken so may young lives to early. Our PRAYERS are with you. May GOD BLESS "

to: This War wrote on Mar 19, 2007 6:15 AM:

" Your last sentance would have done. "

to 'the war' wrote on Mar 19, 2007 5:57 AM:

" To say this young man's death was senseless is to add more grief to an already greiving family. Apparently he felt strongly that it was an honor to serve, and you are debasing that feeling. "

I hate this war and.... wrote on Mar 19, 2007 4:09 AM:

" I hate it for this reason. Our young men (still almost boys) and women deserve all the praise and honors that can be given to them. They are thousands of miles from home risking their lives and dying for what I believe will be a divided Iraq in the end. My heart breaks in half everytime I hear of a war death. I pray each night that it will stop and that all of our troops will come home to re-join their families and friends. May God Bless this family and the friends of Ray. There is no way we can honor them enough for what they have given. To the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan - I love all of you - you are the greatest. Thank you. May God keep each one of you safe. "

From the Lydigsen family wrote on Mar 19, 2007 3:44 AM:

" It hurts deeper when it hits this close to home (& happens to the people we grew up with)...deepest sympathies to your whole family. "

S.J. London England wrote on Mar 19, 2007 3:03 AM:

" a big THANK YOU to Lance Cpl. Raymond J. Holzhauer for fighting for our freedom..may you rest in peace and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family...GOD BELSS "

THE WAR wrote on Mar 18, 2007 11:56 PM:

" Ths war is senseless, and so was the death of this young lad. My sympathy to his families. "

We cannot honor Raymond enough. wrote on Mar 18, 2007 11:46 PM:

" He has joined the many whose service many of us could never deserve. Gratitude to him and all who loved him. "

Sympathy wrote on Mar 18, 2007 11:03 PM:

" to this family! "
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