Justin Dean Norton

Sergeant Justin Dean Norton, 21, was born in Olympia, Washington on October 30, 1984. He grew up in Rainier, Washington and graduated with honors from Rainier High School in 2003. Justin fulfilled his dream of joining the military in April of 2003 as a 19D Cavalry Scout. He attended Basic and Advanced Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was then assigned to the Alpha Troop "Apaches", 1-10 Cavalry, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas. Justin was quickly promoted to Sergeant because of the high standards of excellence and leadership abilities he possessed. He deployed to Iraq in November of 2005. Sergeant Justin Norton was tragically killed in action by an Improvised Explosive Device while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq on June 24, 2006. Sergeant Justin Norton's military awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, and the Expert Rifle Marksmanship Badge. Justin is survived by his parents, Chris and Gary Warnock and Jeff and Sandy Norton, and his brothers, Dean Norton and Joshua Warnock, all of Rainier; grandparents, Marilyn Mackey and Jim Fulton, of Olympia, Jim and Teri Porter, of Covina, California, Jerry and Martha Warnock, of Olympia, Don and Fern Norton, of Rainier, and Bibianna Duncan, of Othello, Washington; and great- grandmothers, Ethel LaVelle Snider, of Port Orchard, and Thelma Butler, of Olympia. The loss of Justin is felt by many extended family and friends from the local community, as well as across the country. Justin, you are our HERO. You are an American Hero. We are very proud of you and the sacrifice you have made for our country. You will never be forgotten. We love you. A public candlelight vigil is scheduled for Friday, June 30, 2006, at 8:00 p.m. at Rainier High School. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, July 2, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. at the Rainier High School New Gym. A Full Military Honors Committal Ceremony will immediately follow at Mills & Mills Memorial Park in Tumwater, followed by a gathering at the Rainier Sportsmans Club. All services are open to anyone who would like to come and honor our hero. It was Justin's wish that if he did not return from the Iraq War, a scholarship fund would be established in his name, so, in lieu of flowers and to honor his wish, it is requested that donations be made to the Justin Norton Scholarship Fund at any Washington Key Bank location. A website in honor of Sergeant Justin Norton can be viewed at: www.justinnorton.net