Marines and firefighters honor a fallen brother, Carlos Nevarez III

Marines and firefighters honor a fallen brother, Carlos Nevarez III
Las Cruces News
By Christine Steele
Posted: 06/15/2013

SILVER CITY — Marines and firefighters are their own special breed, and Saturday they both honored a fallen brother, Carlos Nevarez III, a combat Marine and volunteer firefighter, who battled war and fires and survived both — only to be tragically run down and killed by his girlfriend, police allege.

Bright Funeral Home in Silver City donated the use of its chapel for the memorial service organized by Nevarez's brothers — members of the Whiskey Creek Volunteer Fire Department and The Gaffney-Oglesby Detachment 1328 of the local Marine Corps League.

The rows in the small chapel will filled with Marines and firefighters — the Marines in their red shirts and the firefighters in their blue working uniforms.

"Let me make one thing clear. I am not here to mourn Carlos's passing but to celebrate his life," said Guy Claypool, a Marine from Chaparral.

Claypool said he met Nevarez in 2009 when he wanted to attend the Marine Corps Ball in Silver City.

"Carlos Nevarez was my brother," said the older man in his eulogy to his fallen friend. "We both shared experiences that create a bond that you cannot get any other way other than through blood, sweat, tears and pain. His war was much later than mine, but no easier to bear."

"Who are you, Carlos?" he said. "There is no mistake I am a hard charging, fast talking, straight shooting, hard fisted, low crawling motivated, dedicated United States Marine," the man said, nearly choking up.
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