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Seasoned Vet
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May 22, 2003
Parachute instructor killed
By Sara Thorson
Associated Press
PHOENIX — A parachuting instructor was killed on the last night of a course at the military freefall school at the Army’s Yuma Proving Ground.
Sgt. Mark Raker, 31, died during a jump with another instructor and nine students on Monday night, said Carol Darby, an Army Special Operations Command spokeswoman.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation; Darby could not say whether Raker’s parachute opened.
Raker, originally from Baltimore, Md., was found on the ground after the jump. He was airlifted to the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma but died of injuries sustained in the jump, Darby said Wednesday.
“It is a huge loss,” said Maj. Kathleen Devine, a spokeswoman for the Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, N.C. “Yuma is a very close-knit community and it affects everybody.”
The Yuma freefall school is part of the Fort Bragg-based warfare center and is the only one of its kind in the country. It teaches military freefall, which is a method for entering combat and is performed at night.
Raker’s course was one of 10 taught at the school each year. He began teaching the jumpmaster course early this year, Darby said.
Monday’s death was the fifth at the Military Freefall School since it opened in Yuma in August 1995.
The last training fatality at the school was in September. Since then, more than 75,000 military freefalls have been performed, Darby said.
Raker is survived by his wife, Michelle, and two sons, Joshua and Conner, who live in Yuma
------------------------------------------------------------ Out of every 100 men, ten shouldn't even be there, Eighty are just targets, Nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back." - Hericletus, circa 500 BC ----------------------------------------------------------- 
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Regular Joe
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Last Login: 9/14/2008 5:16 AM
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Damn
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Trooper
 
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Blue Skies, Long Swoops And Rest in peace Airborne.
Our thoughts and Prayers to your Family
The Inspiration of a Noble Cause, Enables men to do things they did not dream themselves capable of doing before.
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Hard Charger
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May he get to Heaven before the Devil knows he is Dead. God go with you fellow trooper our family will morn for you in the fashion you would want.
Raise the glasses and hold them high.
"To us and those like us, DAMN FEW LEFT!"
(Toast made by Lt Krousse 1 Plt Lrd B co. 3/325th ABCT Vicenza Italy.)
I know this was writtin some where just not where.
"Greater love than this hath no man, but that he should lay down his life for his friends."
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BS6's Dude
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Last Login: 10/5/2008 7:03 PM
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On the last night of a course... What a horrifying way to end the course...
May he rest in peace. Pray for his family and co-workers.
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Detachment Sergeant
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 8/7/2008 5:06 PM
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God Bless he and his family. There's nothing more that I could say about this tragedy. God Speed, Brother.
 ALWAYS OUT FRONT
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Seasoned Vet
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Condolences to the Raker family and to our family. Rest In peace.
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Regular Joe
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 11/18/2005 7:01 AM
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May the Great Ranger find a place for him in Valhalla! Hoist a round for a fallen comrade!
If you ain't gettin shot at...THEN it's a good day!
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