Marines

Photo Information

A Marine mourns the loss of Lance Cpl. Levy Rivera during a memorial service at the Chaplain Joseph W. Estabrook Chapel, July 11, 2013. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Janelle Y. Chapman)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Janelle Y. Chapman

MAG-24 mourns the loss of a Marine

19 Jul 2013 | Lance Cpl. Janelle Y. Chapman Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Marines, sailors and civilians of Marine Aircraft Group 24 and Marine Wing Support Detachment 24, along with family, attended a memorial service at the Chaplain Joseph W. Estabrook Chapel for Lance Cpl. Levy Rivera, July 11.

The 24-year-old native of Chicago was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross Pali Highway and later died of his wounds. Rivera was the dispatcher for MWSD-24, MAG-24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

Rivera joined the U.S. Marine Corps on Aug. 8, 2011. He attended the Motor Vehicle Operations Course in Fort Leonardwood, Mo. He was in the Marine Corps for less than two years.

“Ever since day one, I could count on him,” said Lance Cpl. Yeriel Alicea, a motor vehicle operator, Marine Wing Support Detachment. “He became one of the hardest workers at the shop. It made me look up to him. He always had time to help everyone. He always told jokes and made people laugh. To his parents thank you for him. It was a gift to know you and a privilege to be your friend. We’ll all be together again someday.”

Some of Rivera’s fellow Marines spoke at the ceremony, remembering him as an overachiever and hard worker. He made an impression on his peers and always put them before himself. Rivera may have only been a Marine for just under two years, but that didn’t lessen the impact he had on the Marines who knew him.

The Marines around him said Rivera was the jokester of the bunch. Always tried to make people laugh. They say he had a nickname for everyone in the shop.

“I joined not knowing that I’d meet him, not knowing I’d be his roommate and he’d be my best friend,” said Lance Cpl. Eddie Orozco Jr., a motor vehicle operator, Marine Wing Support Detachment. “He’s been there through my hardest times and best times. I feel like I lost a brother.”


Marine Corps Base Hawaii