Local Marine, engaged to be married, is killed in Afghanistan
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BORING, Ore. - A local Marine from Boring was killed in Afghanistan this past week.
Cpl. Keaton G. Coffey, 22, died on May 24 during combat operations in the Helmand province, according to the Department of Defense.
Coffey was assigned to the 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, 1st Marine Headquarters Group, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Pendleton, California.
Coffey, who was an only child, was engaged to be married in July. He went to Damascus Christian School before entering the service.
Our Presence in Afghanistan
Early last week, President Barack Obama and leaders around the world locked down an exit path from the war in Afghanistan. The plan is to close the largely stalemated conflict at the end of 2014. It is time, Obama said, to "responsibly bring this war to an end."
Although Afghanistan is still riddled with poverty, corruption and politicial instability, the U.S.-led partnership of 50 NATO members and allies believe the country will be stable by that time. They believe Afghanistan will be prepared enough to at least be able to protect itself and prevent its territory from becoming a launching pad for international terrorism.
