Staff Sgt. Stephen L. Murphy

Staff Sgt. Stephen L. Murphy, 36, of Jaffery, N.H., died Nov. 9 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Lynn Quade of Rindge said Murphy was best friends with her brother, John Covey. Murphy lived with the Covey family for about seven years before he joined the Marines at age 17. Nov. 16, 2009 marine 60px Murphy "This world is desperate for real and true role models," Quade said. "But Steve was someone to look up to "¦He always thought we were the ones who helped him, but really he was the one. He was a such a blessing." She said she had a hard time picturing Murphy joining the military. He was tender and a man of few words. But she said his integrity and his need to protect and stand up for people made the job perfect for him. Those who did not know the fallen Marine said they felt it was important to come out to show their support. "We're here to share (the family's) grief," said Ron Boardman of Troy. "We're here to show that what he did was important. That what he was doing was important." After the memorial, Carol Murphy said she still is waiting to hear what happened to her son in Iraq. She spoke of how she learned the news her son was gone. "I got out of my bed, because there was someone at the door," she said. "I thought it was him. He was always surprising me like that. And all week I had this feeling with him.

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Marine Saluting Courtesy Sgt Michal S. Williams

I had this feeling he was going to come home." Instead, three Marines broke the news of his death to her. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Evans, who has been assigned to help Murphy's mother, said it may be weeks before the investigation into Stephen Murphy's death is complete. He said, unlike other branches of the military, the Marines release very little information until officials are certain they know what happened. He noted that Murphy was in intelligence for special operations, which could delay the process even more. .