Kokomo’s Sgt. Atwell To Be Escorted Home – Friday, September 28, 2012

Sgt. Atwell was remembered last week at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan as hundreds of Marines gathered to honor the lives of two fallen comrades killed during the attack on Camp Bastion, Sept. 14.

During the two separate memorial ceremonies, which were held Sept. 19 and 20, Marines paid tribute to Lt. Col. Christopher Raible and Sgt. Bradley Atwell. Both were killed in action while engaging the enemy.

Raible was the commanding officer of Marine Attack Squadron 211, from Huntingdon, Pa., and Atwell was an aircraft electrical, instrument and flight control systems technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, from Kokomo, Ind.  You can read more about the heartfelt ceremonies by clicking here.

Meanwhile, Kokomo prepares to bring it’s son home to be honored and laid to rest.  The Patriot Guard reports that Sgt. Atwell is scheduled to arrive at Grissom AFB on Friday, September 28.  “There’s a strong possibility Sgt. Atwell will be arriving at Grissom AFB on Friday morning, September 28, 2012. No other information other than that is available at this time. We will be providing an escort from GAFB to Kokomo when he arrives. Keep checking back for further information on Escort staging location and time, Visitation times, etc.

Updated information on staging times can be found by clicking here.

Following is Sgt. Atwell’s obituary:

Sgt. Bradley W. Atwell, USMC, 27, Yuma, AZ., died Friday, September 14, 2012 at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.  He was born in Kokomo February 20, 1985, the son of Victor Atwell and Cheryl (Turnpaugh) Atwell.  He married Danielle Cross November 5, 2011, and she survives.

He attended various colleges, most recently, while in Afghanistan, attending Thomas Edison State College, where he was only a few credits shy of his associates degree. While there, he was also logging hours so that he would be able to obtain his journeyman’s license. After a short stay in the Air Force he joined the United States Marine Corps where he worked as an aviation electrician and currently held the rank of a sergeant.

Brad was a member of the Freemasons Lodge of Russiaville, Indiana. He had a passion for firearms and enjoyed off-roading in his truck. He was also a brown belt in MCMAP and enjoyed playing and watching baseball. He was a very loving husband, son, and brother, but most importantly an extremely courageous Marine.

Sgt Brad Atwell is survived by his wife, Danielle Atwell of Yuma, Arizona; mother, Cheryl (Turnpaugh) Atwell, father and step-mother, Victor and Kimberlee Atwell; mother and father-in-law, Jeanette and Christopher Cross; brother, Dustin Atwell; two sisters; Erin and Lauren Atwell; and grandmother, Shirley (Oody) Turnpaugh all of Kokomo, Indiana.

He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Betty (Atwell) Harmon; and grandfathers, Herb Atwell, Wayne Harmon, and Conrad Turnpaugh.

Funeral services celebrating and honoring the life of a fallen hero will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 29, 2012, at Chapel Hill Christian Church, 2600 Alto Rd. with Pastor Steve Cole officiating.  Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery with full military honors provided by the USMC.  Friends are invited to call from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (support.woundedwarriorproject.org). Please make all contributions “in memory of” SGT Bradley Atwell, with acknowledgments sent to Danielle Atwell PO BOX 99113, Bldg 852 MCAS Yuma, AZ 85369.  Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.

Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.