Norton Moved By Conversation with Mother of Native Washingtonian Marine Killed on Memorial Day

Washington, D.C.— According to the Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the Congresswoman spoke yesterday with Bell Clements, the mother of Sgt. Julian C. Chase, the 22-year-old Marine and 2008 Woodrow Wilson High School graduate who was killed while on patrol in Afghanistan on Memorial Day. Norton was officially notified by the Marine Liaison Office on May 30. Her statement follows:

"It was especially gratifying to learn that the District of Columbia was a big part of Julian Chase's life, particularly the city's public schools -Tubman, Janney, Alice Deal and Wilson. He loved his hometown and was due back in a couple of months, with an application to George Washington University already in the works. At the end of his second deployment to Afghanistan, with several service awards, including the Purple Heart, to his credit, Sgt. Chase was close to fulfilling the first of his dreams with excellence, and had a clear and admirable vision of next steps. Particularly considering Julian's love for the city where he was born and raised, his loss will be deeply felt throughout the city. There is little comfort for a mother who has raised and lost such an outstanding son so young. However, it was clear that Bell Clements was proud of Julian's devotion to his Marine mission and outfit, an unmistakable indication of his strength of character. Julian also has left his mother with many precious memories to treasure for a lifetime. I know as well that the city itself takes pride in Julian's service to our country, and that residents will feel a special sense of loss of an outstanding young officer and native son, who was prepared to make his future in our city."

Published: June 1, 2012