Marine from Virginia Beach dies of injuries suffered in Iraq

NORFOLK

Kelly Watters would have celebrated his 20th birthday this week in Iraq. Stuck in a dry country and too young to drink legally, he might have celebrated with buddies at the chow hall.

He might have called his parents, Pete and Lisa, at home in Virginia Beach, and told them everything was all right, even if it wasn't. He might have told them not to worry.

Lance Cpl. Kelly Watters, a teenager, died last week. He was on his second duty tour in Iraq when he was struck by a homemade bomb in Anbar province. The military announced the death on Monday.

On Monday afternoon, several homes in the Watterses' neighborhood near Corporate Landing Office Park flew flags at half-staff. More banners adorned the mailboxes leading to the family home. Scarlet and gold ribbons, Marine Corps colors laced with black strands, hung from columns and doors.

Sandra Borror, a neighbor, said the Watterses are one of several, close-knit military families on the block. Pete Watters was retired from the Navy, she said. She said the family was "numb" from the loss.

Family members declined to speak on Monday but released a statement. Kelly Watters is survived by his parents, two brothers and a stepbrother and stepsister.

They described him as "a free spirit who lived life to its fullest and with no regret." He enjoyed being with his family and his Marine buddies and relaxing at the beach.

On his Facebook profile, Watters said he loved movies and dance music. He did not have a favorite book: "who really reads books hahah."

In a recent message to an old acquaintance on Facebook, Watters said he couldn't wait to get home from Iraq in six months. The Marine Corps changed him from "a little worm back in school" into a young man doing "better than most other 19-year-olds at least."

Watters spent two years at Kellam High School but did not graduate, a school spokeswoman said.

He was 17 when he joined the Marine Corps on Nov. 28, 2005. He graduated from boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., according to military records.

Watters first deployed to Iraq in January 2007 for an eight-month tour. He returned in April with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The Marine Corps awarded him two Purple Heart medals and a combat action ribbon.

Watters was injured May 23 during a combat mission in Anbar province. He was evacuated to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, where he was joined by his family, said Marine Corps spokesman Maj. Cliff Gilmore.

He died from his wounds on Wednesday.

Researcher Jakon Hays and staff writer Stephanie Lee contributed to this report.

Louis Hansen, (757) 446-2322, louis.hansen@pilotonline.com