Bothell Marine killed in Afghanistan befriended village children

Saturday, September 13, 2008 - Page updated at 12:00 AM

Bothell Marine killed in Afghanistan befriended village children

By Jennifer Sullivan

Seattle Times staff reporter

First Lt. Nicholas Madrazo, of Bothell, joined the Marines after earning his college degree.

Almost every time 1st Lt. Nicholas Madrazo opened the gates of his Marine base north of Kabul, he would be greeted by the gleeful screams of Afghan children ready to play.

Since his deployment to Afghanistan's Parwan province in March, the 25-year-old Bothell man had become a popular friend to many of the local children on the outskirts of Kabul.

With pens, paper, candy and an occasional game of soccer, Lt. Madrazo had quickly grown to be known around the area as just "Nic," his father, Joel Madrazo, said Friday.

"Nic really wanted to send a message that we should pass on the good things we are doing here," said Joel Madrazo. "We're not just soldiers but we have other jobs to do — that's trying to improve the lives of the local people."

Lt. Madrazo died Sept. 9 after a roadside bomb detonated underneath his Humvee. Along with Lt. Madrazo, two other Marines and their Afghan interpreter were killed, Joel Madrazo said.
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