| Sgt. Sean Kenneth Webster United States Marine Corps |
Marine, 23, Is Found Dead at California Base By Jonathan Mummolo Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, July 3, 2008; B05 Sgt. Sean Webster served two tours in Iraq, was awarded two Purple Hearts and was severely wounded by shrapnel from an explosion in 2005. Afterward, he endured more than 10 surgeries and relentless physical therapy, and was working to make sure other wounded veterans got the care they needed. But after surviving a war zone, the 23-year-old Webster, a Charlottesville native and graduate of McLean High School, was found dead Saturday at Camp Pendleton, the Marine Corps base north of San Diego. Base officials declined to divulge the circumstances surrounding his death, citing an ongoing investigation. A base spokesman, 1st Lt. Tom Garnett, said that Webster's body was found about 2 p.m. in Area 27, a large area in the southeastern portion of the base that includes a naval hospital, barracks for wounded veterans where Webster was assigned, and Lake O'Neill. Webster's father, Kenneth Webster of Charlottesville, said he had been informed of the circumstances of his son's death but declined to discuss them. Sean Webster was stationed at Camp Pendleton as a barracks manager and police sergeant with Wounded Warrior Battalion West, a unit founded in March 2007 that is dedicated to helping wounded Marines and sailors and their families navigate the various stages of their recovery. The elder Webster said his son was a dedicated Marine who knew by 17 that he would join the service. "He came to us and said, 'Mom and dad, I want to join the Marines,' " Webster said. "He said, 'You send me to college, you know what, I'm going to fool around, I'm going to waste your money.' I guess he talked to a Marine recruiter, and we thought it was a great idea." Webster pre-enlisted and joined up right after graduating from high school in 2003. A lover of physical challenges who grew up swimming, playing soccer and skateboarding, Webster picked the Marine Corps because "they were the toughest, they had the hardest boot camp, and they were the strongest and the best," his father said. After basic training, Webster was stationed at Camp Pendleton, where he was trained as an assault amphibious vehicle crewman. He was deployed to Iraq in 2004 for his first six-month tour. In June 2004, a rocket exploded near the vehicle Webster was riding in, near the Syrian border. Webster escaped with only cuts to his face. The wound led to his first Purple Heart, an honor that "embarrassed" him, his father said. "He thought it was too minor to ever have earned a Purple Heart," Webster said. In September 2005, during his second tour, an anti-tank mine exploded under Webster's vehicle, tearing the skin off his thigh and shattering his right elbow. The decorated veteran spent the following years in physical therapy trying to regain full use of his arm, his father said. Webster eventually returned to Camp Pendleton, where he continued to receive medical care. In 2007, he was one of the first Marines to enter the Wounded Warrior program and remained there to assist other veterans. "He didn't really talk much about his work, but he seemed to like it a lot, and he seemed to really have a sense of camaraderie with the guys who were there," his father said. "He himself almost never complained about his injuries. The only thing I really heard him get angry about was he couldn't put deodorant on . . . and he couldn't really tie his boots." In addition to his father, Webster is survived by his mother, Michele McCarthy, and his sister, Jessica Scopelliti. A viewing will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. tomorrow at Teague Funeral Home in Charlottesville. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlottesville. Interment, with an honor guard, will follow at Monticello Memory Gardens. Staff researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report. June 23, 2010 SSgt Christopher Hill (ret) In Honor Of: = Soldiers Name:Sgt Sean K Webster Sean, we never truly know how we impact the lives of others as we roam this round ball called earth but brother you made a dent like no other. It has truly been an honor serving with you, having the pleasure of sharing our adventures in the green machine and knowing you as my brother in arms. Semper Fi November 09, 2009 Angela Happy Birthday Sean! I'll be up in VA with my husband checking out the Marine Corps Museum and the Monticello. I also plan to stop by your gravesite and drop off some flowers. It is still surreal you're not here. We're getting stationed in Cali next year, I can't believe it's been nearly 18 months, wish you were there man. Miss ya! Happy Veterans Day Teddy! Angela ARC Volunteer 2006-07 June 03, 2009 MaryEllen Wooten I live in C'ville and I visit Sean's grave often. I didn't know him, all I know and need to know is that he is a Marine. I appreciate his service to our nation and for all of the good work he did at Pendleton supporting other wounded Marines. May 30, 2009 Corporal Chris Longley In Honor Of Sergeant Sean Webster Sean, I still think about you almost everyday. Your perserverance taught Marines senior and junior to you as to what is to carry on. With your absence it is hard to have that can do attitude but we will do it in your honor. We love and miss you brother. Semper Fi and keep those civilians in line up there. May 26, 2009 Sgt Gonzalo Leon In Honor Of Sgt Sean Webster Sean, It is a pleasure to have live and serve in your time!I am a better man for knowing you and a better Marine.I know you are in heaven leading a company of Marines in the Armed forces of heaven!You will never be forgotten!I love you Brother! October 24, 2008 Angela I knew Sean when I worked with the Camp Pendleton Red Cross for about a year. Everytime I walked into the WWC he greeted me with a big hug, I often referred to him as Teddy. We went back and forth playing practical jokes, I honestly can't remember ever seeing him without a smile. His passing came too soon, rest easy Teddy. October 11, 2008 Cher OnYour Memorial = 16 weeks......forever in my heart. I love and miss you every second. Cher, Evan and Quinny September 29, 2008 Tracy Pawloski In Honor Of Sean Webster 07/02/2008 There are no words to describe the sorrow we felt upon hearing the news of Sean's sudden passing. We got to know Sean,lovingly known to our family as "Web",when he visited Ohio with our Grandson and Nephew John Walker just after he returned from his 2nd tour in Iraq. It took no time to see why Web and John were best friends, buds, and most importantly BROTHERS! Thinking of that visit now brings both tears and smiles. Our family fell in love with Web and welcomed him as our own and now we will mourn him in same respect. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Pauline Marks-grandmother of John Walker Tonya Wright and Tracy Pawloski-Aunts of John Walker August 20, 2008 cher lawhorne Michele, Sean idolized you as a mom...you should be proud of every thing you did to make him the man that he was. His demons don't reflect on his life, and he is an angel. He always was. Thanks you for bringing him into this world. I will always be indebted to you for sharing a small part if him with us. I miss him every second. August 19, 2008 Michele McCarthy You are all awesome. I miss Sean so much. He was the best son in the whole world and I was the proudest mother. I love you and miss you Sean Mom August 18, 2008 TINA WALKER SEAN WAS NOT ONLY A GREAT MARINE BUT A TRUE AND WONDERFUL PERSON.WE LOVED HIM AS IF HE WAS OUR OWN SON. HE AND JOHN WERE BROTHERS IN EVERY TRUE SENSE OF THE WORD.IT HAS BEEN 7 WEEKS AND IT SEEMS LIKE YERSTERDAY THAT WE HEARD THE TRAGGIC NEWS. THE WORLD HAS LOST ONE OF ITS FINEST.THERE IS NOT A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT WE DONT THINK OF HIM.I ONLY HOPE THAT HE FINALLY IS AT PEACE.I ALSO PRAY THAT HIS FAMILY WILL SOMEDAY HAVE PEACE. WE LOVE WEB August 1, 2008 Cher Lawhorne In Honor Of Sgt. Sean K. Webster; USMC We lost an incredible man that we will miss every day. God gained an angel. May you have the peace that you need to rest. We love you always. Cher, Quinn and Evan. |
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