Valley Marine Killed in Training Crash

33-year-old Justin Everett was killed in a helicopter training crash near San Diego.

Justin graduated from Reedley High School in 1996. 

He just marked ten years in the Marine Corps and celebrated his eleventh wedding anniversary last Friday. He has a two-and-a-half year old son and five year old daughter.

Justin served at least three tours in the Middle East. And he was preparing to head to Afghanistan in April.  

He was the Crew Chief on board military helicopters.

“I was proud of Justin, what he did. And I’m proud of the Marines,” said his mother, Patsy Everett. 

Justin’s parents visited him on Sunday in Southern California. And they’re so glad they did.

“I've got that memory of him walking me to my car, hugging me, and giving me a kiss and telling me he loved me,” said Patsy. 

The Everetts are a patriotic family. Flags dot their yard. And one now flies at half staff in Justin’s honor. The flag went up when Justin joined the Marines.

“After 9-11 took place he just felt like it was this duty to go prepare and serve his country and he's done that very well over these past ten years,” said Patsy. 

Family friend Bob Furguson has known Justin since he was a little boy. And he worked with him at church camp.

“We’re going to miss him. He has two little kids and a great wife they're going to miss him. It's a big hole,” Furguson said.

Justin was training young marines, preparing them for that tour in Afghanistan. And his mother says he was looking forward to joining them for their first trip overseas. 

Funeral arrangements are being made.