Marine Cpl. Anthony T. McElveen, 21, of Little Falls, Minnesota died December 1, 2005 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq.
He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, their unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Anthony McElveen liked coming home to Little Falls, Minn., to share his stories about Iraq with students.

Randy Tabatt, who was McElveen's social studies teacher at Little Falls High School, said: "I'm just a teacher who was lucky enough to have him in class."

He described McElveen, 21, as a great young man.

"He was always very proud of the fact that they were doing good things [in the military]. He always wanted to make sure that...everyone knew that they were doing more good than what the news necessarily portrayed."

Tabatt said he learned of McElveen's death early Friday morning when McElveen's mother called him.

McElveen was a 2003 graduate of Little Falls High School, where he played hockey and was in the band.

Tabatt said McElveen went to boot camp after he graduated and came back to Little Falls twice.

"He spoke to our class last winter," Tabatt said. "He was fantastic. He was in tip-top shape and very proud to be serving his country. The kids were absolutely mesmerized with the way that he carried himself."

Tabatt said he wants people to know that his former student "was just darn proud to serve his country. His parents were proud of him and we were proud of him. Unfortunately, bad things happen to good people."

McElveen's parents live in Little Falls. His sister graduated from Little Falls High School last year. His family did not return a phone call Friday night.

Tony Couture, who coached McElveen in hockey for four years at Little Falls High, said he couldn't find enough good things to say about him.

"It seems like he just became that much a better person when he was in the military," Couture said. "He just kind of blossomed into a very outstanding person, one that you would like to call your own.

"He was a very likable kid, a very hard-working kid. He could take a bad situation and turn it into a positive one. He was very competitive on the ice and in the classroom."

**Please take a moment to copy and paste the following link into your browswer to watch a moving tribute by a mother of a Fallen Hero:

http://us.video.netscape.com/video.index.adp?mode=2&pmmsid=1479098

**A special thank you to Kathryn Gebczyk for providing that link.

GOVERNOR PAWLENTY ORDERS U.S. AND STATE FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF IN HONOR OF CORPORAL ANTHONY T. McELVEEN -- December 12, 2005

Saint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today ordered that all U.S. and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at the Capitol Complex, including state buildings, monuments and grounds in proximity to and including the Minnesota State Capitol, from sunrise until sunset today, Monday, December 12, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Corporal Anthony T. McElveen.

Lt. Governor Carol Molnau will attend funeral services for Corporal McElveen at Camp Ripley this morning.

The following is the text of the Governor's official proclamation:

Whereas: Corporal Anthony T. McElveen was born on May 20, 1985 in Ventura, California, to Thomas and Debra McElveen; and

Whereas: Corporal Anthony T. McElveen graduated from Little Falls High School in 2003 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in June, 2003; and

Whereas: While serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Corporal Anthony T. McElveen received many awards including the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, the War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the War on Terrorism Service Medal; and

Whereas: Corporal Anthony T. McElveen was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, out of Twentynine Palms, California; and

Whereas: Corporal Anthony T. McElveen served two deployments to Iraq where his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward); and

Whereas: Corporal Anthony T. McElveen died a hero in Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday, December 1, 2005, while protecting his country and fighting for freedom; and

Whereas: Corporal Anthony T. McElveen is survived by his beloved wife, Carrie Cluka; his parents, Thomas and Deborah; sister, Tina; and many other friends and family who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly; and

Whereas: A funeral service for Corporal Anthony T. McElveen will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 12, 2005, at the Camp Ripley Chapel and will be followed by burial in the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota; and

Whereas: The State of Minnesota thanks the family of Corporal Anthony T. McElveen for his dedicated service to the people of this country and wants the family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM PAWLENTY, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all U.S. and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at the Capitol Complex, including state buildings, monuments and grounds in proximity to and including the Minnesota State Capitol, from sunrise until sunset, on Monday, December 12, 2005, in honor and remembrance of Corporal Anthony T. McElveen.

*A special thank you to Find A Grave contributor, Vicky Bergman for fulfilling my photo request for Anthony McElveen.

**Thank you Find A Grave contributor Sue for the correct burial information.

***Heartfelt thanks to Find A Grave contributor Lillian A. Young Mioduski for sponsoring this memorial for Anthony McElveen.