Cleveland Marine remembered during funeral

PARMA, Ohio (AP) -- A Marine who came to the United States when he was 6 years old was remembered at his funeral Friday for his belief in duty to his country.
Lance Cpl. David A. Mendez Ruiz, 20, of Cleveland, along with another Marine, was killed Nov. 12 by a homemade bomb while conducting combat operations in Al Amiriyah, Iraq.
Friends tearfully eulogized the Guatemala native at his funeral at Bethel Temple.
"He is my hero. I love and miss him so much," friend Brandon Jaffre said. "David, I will never forget you for as long as I live."
Ruiz was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force out of Twentynine Palms, Calif. The unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
Ruiz was buried at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman. He is survived by his parents and seven siblings.