Lejeune Marines die in Afghanistan

Four additional Camp Lejeune-based Marines have died in the fierce fighting under way in Afghanistan's Helmand province.

Staff Sgt. Christopher W. Eckard, 30, of Hickory, died Saturday. Killed Sunday were: Lance Cpl. Adam D. Peak, 25, of Florence, Ky.; Lance Cpl. Eric L. Ward, 19, of Redmond, Wash.; and Lance Cpl. Matthias N. Hanson, 20, of Buffalo, Ky.

Eckard was assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Both Peak and Ward were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Hanson was a rifleman assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

Sara Peak, 28, told the Kentucky Enquirer that her younger brother as very outgoing but also quite private.

"He wouldn't let you know his deep feelings, but he always had a line for you," she said. "He said he would never settle down, but he was like a second father to a lot of the other Marines' kids."

Richard Shuey, a business administration professor at Thomas Moore College, where Peak graduated in 2006, taught Peak in three classes.

"He was one of those really nice, clean-cut Northern Kentucky kids, always polite and interested in doing well, and obviously a true patriot," Shuey said.

Peak's older brother, Sean Peak, 23, is also a Marine stationed overseas; he will return home for the funeral.

Sunday's casualties brought the Lejeune-based forces death toll to 11 in the past week.