FORKS — Creedence Clearwater Revival music sounded through the loudspeakers of the Forks High School gym Wednesday as more than 600 people gathered to remember Marine Lance Cpl. Jason Hanson.
Hanson, 21, who grew up in Forks and joined the Marine Corps last year, was killed during combat operations July 29 in Anbar province, Iraq.
Every element of Wednesday evening’s memorial service in Hanson’s hometown highlighted a different aspect of the fallen Marine’s life.
There was everything from Hanson’s personal music collection, to his friends gathering in the school from which he graduated, to the Marine Corps awarding the Purple Heart posthumously.
“He made everyone around him feel special and proud, and, of course, he was smiling no matter what we were doing,” said Marine Corps Master Sgt. John Bivens, who served with Hanson.
“He knew how to bring the best out of me, and today I know why, looking at his family.”
In addition to being awarded the Purple Heart, Hanson, who was a private first class at the time of his death, was ceremoniously promoted to lance corporal at Wednesday’s service.
Bivens presented Hanson’s parents, Stephen and Carol Hanson, and his wife, Maria Farias, with the Purple Heart and with Hanson’s new stripe.
The family was also presented with a gift and words of honor from Gov. Christine Gregoire’s husband, Mike Gregoire.
“As parents ourselves, we can only imagine how hard this is,” Gregoire said.
“I know I speak for all Washingtonians that we mourn this loss.”
