Marine Sergeant Damon C Eppinette, born April of 1978, in Portsmouth, Virginia. Beloved son of Judy and Jeff Brownell of Eagle Bridge, New York and Jimmy and Rhonda Eppinette of Columbia, Tennessee; beloved brother of Sileata, Chris, Brian, and Kevin; beloved uncle to Ivy, Natalie, Kiara, Peyton, and Norah; proud father to his beloved dogs, Belle and Puppy, whom he rescued.
Sgt. Eppinette served in the United States Marine Corps from August of 1996 to October of 2006. He served as a 2141 AAV Mechanic in the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion. Damon was first deployed to Iraq on January 11, 2003 as Platoon Maintenance Chief, AAV. His second deployment to Iraq came in January of 2004. Upon discharge from the Marine Corps, Damon worked as a mechanic for Norfolk Southern Railway and Walmart Service Center. He lived for his brothers in the Marine Corps and was a loyal and loving son and brother.
His accomplishments include: three Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (Combat V), Combat Action Ribbon (Iraq), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (Iraq), Iraq Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Iraq), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, and Presidential Unit Citation-Navy, and three Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.
His greatest joys in life were his two wonderful dogs, Belle and Puppy. He was an avid gun collector and sharpshooter, and an always-willing playmate to his many nieces. Damon loved to be outdoors, spending countless hours walking his dogs, riding his four wheeler, and planting his peppers in the garden.
Damon struggled for many years with Post Traumatic Stress from his combat tours. Even in his final days, he searched for a connection to someone who could understand the things he had been through. He reached out to many of his fellow comrades, many of whom were fighting their own battle with PTS. Damon will be remembered as an extremely dedicated and courageous Marine.
Sgt Damon C Eppinette lost his battle with PTS, May 25, 2014, at his home in Eagle Bridge, New York. He was 36 years old.