Governor Corbett Invites Westmoreland County Residents to Honor Fallen Marine During Special Tribute

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today invited residents of Westmoreland County to fly the U.S. and Pennsylvania flags at half staff on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, as part of a special tribute to U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Christopher K. Raible.

Raible, 40, of North Huntingdon, was killed last month in Afghanistan while serving as commander of Marine Attack Squadron 211 Avengers in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

On Saturday, Oct. 13, a public memorial service will be held for Raible at Norwin High School, North Huntingdon.

Raible graduated from Norwin High School in 1990, then went on to earn a civil engineering degree in 1995 from Carnegie Mellon University.

He joined the Marines after college, earning his Naval Aviator designation and numerous military honors, including a Meritorious Service Medal, 10 Strike Flight awards, and a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. He will receive the Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, Combat Action Ribbon and an Air Medal with Strike 15 Award.

U.S. and state flags in the Capitol Complex will also be flown at half staff on Saturday in Raible's honor. All Pennsylvanians are invited to join in this tribute.

Media contact:  Kevin Harley, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor