AR RAMADI, Iraq -- A memorial service for a Marine killed in action Oct. 23 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom was held at the Camp Ramadi chow hall Oct. 25. Lance Cpl. Jonathon Spears, an infantryman from Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, was killed while on patrol through Ar Ramadi. “Lance Cpl. Spears was a damn good Marine,” said Capt. Twayne Hickman, commanding officer for Company I. “I know his loss has dramatically affected 1st Platoon and the company. He will be missed.” Spears was considered one of the most reliable and capable Marines in the company, not only for his abilities with a rifle, but for his attitude, intelligence and dedication to his fellow Marines. “It is common for subordinate Marines to respect their senior Marines, but in Spears’ case, even his senior Marines respected him,” said Hickman. “He was a special Marine who was an integral part of his platoon and this company.” The memorial was especially touching when 1st Sgt. Martin Gallegos, Company I 1st Sergeant, performed the final roll call. As Gallegos continued to call Spears’ name, members of the fallen Marine’s fire team placed his rifle, his Kevlar helmet, boots and dog tags on a podium with his photo. After the roll call, the 1st Sergeant reported “One Marine, killed in action in Ar Ramadi, Iraq Oct. 23, 2005,” saluted and took his post as the 21-gun salute began outside. This was followed by the playing of “Taps” and the honoring of the dead, where everyone in attendance lined up to pay their final respects. “He would always go above and beyond what he needed to do. As a friend he was always the man I went to when I needed someone to talk to,” said Pfc. Smith. “As a Marine, he was always the peer I went to when I needed to know something.” “I’ve known him since he came into the fleet in January,” said Cpl. Worrick. “He was the last one to take off his gear and the first one to volunteer for a mission. He was always good for a laugh and, through it all, never lost sight of his dreams.”