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Marine with ties to Port Washington killed in military helicopter crash

Officials have not released names of victims

The family of a Port Washington marine tells WISN 12 News he was among those killed in a military training accident off the Florida coast.
The family of a Port Washington marine tells WISN 12 News he was among those killed in a military training accident off the Florida coast.
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Marine with ties to Port Washington killed in military helicopter crash
Officials have not released names of victims
The family of a local Marine confirms to WISN 12 News that he is among the service members killed in a military helicopter crash.A family member of Kerry Kemp told WISN 12 News that the military informed the family of his death Thursday.Watch the report on mobileThe helicopter was doing a night time training exercise Tuesday night near Eglin Air Force Base when it went down, officials said. Four National Guardsmen from Louisiana and seven Marines based out of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina were aboard.Kemp was the proud father of a baby just shy of her first birthday and loved horsing around with his nephews."He would wrestle with them. He really got into that, the wrestling and playing. He'd carry them around on his back," said his sister-in-law, Lora Waraksa.He was a "proud Marine, a loving husband and most wonderful father," she said. He also loved golfing and the ocean - he often took his nephews out to hunt for sea shells.Kemp met his wife, Jenna, at Port Washington High School, where he was voted "best smile" by his senior class. He graduated in 2005.He was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.Investigators are still looking for the cause of the crash and waiting to identify the victims. They said fog has hampered the search."Today, you can imagine is a tough day for the Louisiana National Guard and the Marine Corps," Major Gen. Glenn Curtis, Adjutant General, Louisiana National Guard said. "It is an experienced unit, and one that has received numerous accolades from its service to our nation."Also identified as being on the flight:MARCUS BAWOLMarcus Bawol from Warren, Michigan, "loved everything about the military," said his sister, Brandy Peek."He couldn't wait to join. He wanted to fight for our country and was always striving to be the best Marine he could be."The 27-year-old graduated in 2006 from Warren Mott High School. Bawol played baseball and football and was a member of the school's swim team, according to district Superintendent Robert Livernois.Bawol attended Olivet College for a year, where he was a catcher on the baseball team.He had planned to marry his fiancée in October, Peek said.On Thursday, Warren Mayor Jim Fouts ordered flags in the city, just north of Detroit, flown at half-staff.

The family of a local Marine confirms to WISN 12 News that he is among the service members killed in a military helicopter crash.

A family member of Kerry Kemp told WISN 12 News that the military informed the family of his death Thursday.

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Watch the report on mobile

The helicopter was doing a night time training exercise Tuesday night near Eglin Air Force Base when it went down, officials said. Four National Guardsmen from Louisiana and seven Marines based out of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina were aboard.

Kemp was the proud father of a baby just shy of her first birthday and loved horsing around with his nephews.

"He would wrestle with them. He really got into that, the wrestling and playing. He'd carry them around on his back," said his sister-in-law, Lora Waraksa.

He was a "proud Marine, a loving husband and most wonderful father," she said. He also loved golfing and the ocean - he often took his nephews out to hunt for sea shells.

Kemp met his wife, Jenna, at Port Washington High School, where he was voted "best smile" by his senior class. He graduated in 2005.

He was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Investigators are still looking for the cause of the crash and waiting to identify the victims. They said fog has hampered the search.

"Today, you can imagine is a tough day for the Louisiana National Guard and the Marine Corps," Major Gen. Glenn Curtis, Adjutant General, Louisiana National Guard said. "It is an experienced unit, and one that has received numerous accolades from its service to our nation."

Also identified as being on the flight:

MARCUS BAWOL

Marcus Bawol from Warren, Michigan, "loved everything about the military," said his sister, Brandy Peek.

"He couldn't wait to join. He wanted to fight for our country and was always striving to be the best Marine he could be."

The 27-year-old graduated in 2006 from Warren Mott High School. Bawol played baseball and football and was a member of the school's swim team, according to district Superintendent Robert Livernois.

Bawol attended Olivet College for a year, where he was a catcher on the baseball team.

He had planned to marry his fiancée in October, Peek said.

On Thursday, Warren Mayor Jim Fouts ordered flags in the city, just north of Detroit, flown at half-staff.