'A role model'

Staff Sgt. Chris Eckard loved to serve his country, even though his daily assignments were dangerous and unpredictable. The Marine, who was assigned to an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, completed four tours of duty in Iraq. Yet just before he left on his first deployment to Afghanistan, WBTV-TV reports Staff Sgt. Eckard, 30, told his mother that he intended this combat tour to be his last. He wanted to spend more time with his family in North Carolina.

According to the Department of Defense, the Marine was killed on February 20 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. While disabling bombs was Eckard's job, the fallen Marine's brother, Chad, tells The Hickory Record that it does not appear he was working on an explosive device when he was killed. Eckard, who will be posthumously promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, is being remembered as a man many looked up to.

"He was a super-cool dude," said Gary Whitener, who remained friends with Eckard after graduation.

"He was a role model, never in trouble," said Whitener, owner of Air Force One Heating and Cooling in Hickory.

"There are several of us who stay in touch. We've been sharing our memories on Facebook. It's sad. It's terrible. He was great, just great."

Chris Eckard leaves behind a wife and two children.