Broehm's life to be celebrated Saturday

Hundreds expected to attend

WILLIAMS - A Celebration of Life honoring Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Broehm will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Williams Elementary-Middle School auditorium, 601 N. Seventh St.

Broehm's family encourages friends to participate in a military procession prior to the Celebration of Life. Participants will gather at 3 p.m. at the school parking lot. The procession will proceed south on North Seventh Street, to Route 66 and head east to Second Street, turn north and return to the school.

Gregory Slack, a former Marine Corps Captain, is organizing a Gratitude Rally during the military procession. He wants rally participants to line the streets of the procession's route, displaying signs expressing appreciation.

"We would like to have people bring signs that say things like 'Thank you for our freedoms,' 'God loves his Marines,' 'Thank you for your sacrifice,' etc.," said Slack. "American and Marine Corps flags would be great."

A similar rally was held in Flagstaff on behalf of Broehm on Veterans Day. To find out more about the rally, contact Slack at (928) 214-8400.

Broehm was killed on Nov. 4 while conducting combat operations in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. According to the Department of Defense, Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon W. Pearson, 21, of Arvada, Colo., was also killed.

He leaves behind his devoted wife Lianna, his father, mother, sister and two brothers, all from the Williams area. According to his family, his desire was that others would know his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His biggest dream was to become a youth pastor and to share Jesus Christ with all the youth.

Broehm will be receiving full honors from the United States Marine Corps during the Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to FBC Teen Ministry, 629 W. Grant Ave., Williams, AZ 86046. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.norvelowensmortuary.com.