News: Marine believed in America's mission

By most accounts, Cody Calavan liked raspberry chocolate cake, sports, off-roading and family get-togethers on Shaw Island.

But there was a serious side too. Calavan — whose last name was given earlier as Puttkamer, his paternal grandparents’ name, by a family member — believed in America’s mission in Iraq.

“He believed in what he was doing,” stepmom Pamela Calavan said of Cody, who joined the Marines in 2003. “He believed it was an important mission. He said people there were thankful (for the U.S. presence).”

On May 29, he gave his life for that mission.

Private 1st Class Calavan, 19, was killed in hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. His father and stepmother were notified on Shaw Island May 30 of his death; they returned to their Stanwood home the next day.

After Calavan’s remains are returned, the family will have a celebration of his life at New Life Center, Foursquare Church, 6830 Highland Drive, Everett, Pamela Calavan said. For information about the service, call (425) 355-9330.

Calavan’s death is the latest in a series of tragedies for the family. His 16-year-old brother, Joey, was killed in a vehicle collision in Stanwood on Aug. 29. The boys’ mother, Kathy Jean Calavan, died of cancer in 1997. And last year, the family home on Shaw Island’s Neck Point was severely damaged by fire.

“We feel like we’ve been in and out of a washing machine,” Pamela Calavan said.

Ruth Puttkamer, whose husband is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, said her grandson was advised by the Marines that he didn’t have to go to Iraq because he was the only surviving son, but he volunteered to go. Pamela Calavan added, “He said, ‘We need to be there. This needs to be done.’ ”

Calavan joined the Marine Corps June 16, 2003, and went to Iraq in February. He was a machine gunner with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, according to the Marines.

Calavan is the second Marine with island ties — and the 12th Washingtonian — to die in Iraq. Sgt. Michael Bitz, son and grandson of San Juan islanders, was killed March 23, 2003 in An Nasiriyah by Iraqi troops who pretended to surrender then opened fire when Marines approached. Bitz was one of eight Marines killed.

In addition, Army Warrant Officer Carrie McLeish of Friday Harbor was injured Dec. 12 in a car crash near Mosul, one day before deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was captured in Tikrit by U.S. forces.

As of June 1, there have been 928 coalition deaths — 818 Americans, 59 Britons, six Bulgarians, one Dane, one Dutch, one Estonian, 18 Italians, four Poles, one Salvadoran, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and six Ukrainians, according to the Pentagon. At least 4,682 U.S. troops have been wounded in action.

Calavan graduated in June 2003 from Lake Stevens High School. He spent summers and vacations with his family at the home on Shaw Island. Lola Deane of Shaw Island remembers when Cody and Joey Calavan participated in grandparents’ camp on the island. “They were both just great. They were two handsome young boys — a lot of life.”

Calavan is survived by his parents, David and Pamela Calavan of Stanwood; sister, Kalee Calavan Craig of Stanwood; stepbrother and sister-in-law, Chris and Kristi Craig of Everett; grandparents, Lt. Col. Kenneth Puttkamer, USAF ret., and Ruth Puttkamer of Vancouver, Wash.; grandmother, Marian Craig of Snohomish; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Cards and letters of sympathy can be sent to the Calavan family, 31727 76th Ave. NW, Stanwood, WA. 98292.

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