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Nick...His Marine brothers called him "Manny" ... Born in Westland Michigan on August 31st 1984 and resided in Lathrup Village,Michigan.Nick was the only child of Mary and the late Isaac Manoukian. Nick was a vibrant and loving husband,stepdad and son who was deeply loyal and devoted to his family and friends.His bright spirit,humor and great hugs linger on in everyone who knew and loved him.Nick was a courageous warrior but also a kind,generous and soulful spirit who touched many hearts with his poetry,art,music and drums.
After 9-11 Nick wanted to join the Marines and be a part of the "few and the proud".He told me that "One day I want to tell my children and grandchildren that I went to war to help protect them".Of course I tried to talk him out of it as I was very concerned being that Nick's father died when he was only 12 years old and Nick being my only child.
He told me he was planning on college afterward and one day having his own business.
Nick graduated from Royal Oak Kimball High school in 2003 and left for Parris Island in June 2004.He would finish his training for communications out in 29 Palms California in December 2004. His first deployment came shortly afterward. In March 2005 he deployed to Fallugah,Iraq with the 1/6 Marines H&S Co.Upon returning in October 2005 he reconnected with his high school sweetheart and they married in July 2006.Nick proposed to her by trying to celebrate all the Holidays that they would be apart from one another while he was in Iraq.He set up decorated stations around our house starting with Halloween and ending with sending his wife to be on an Easter Egg hunt in July to find her engagement ring. He was a very creative, romantic warrior.
They would only have a precious couple months together as Nick was redeployed to Ramadi Iraq in Sept 2006.On this deployment Nick would serve as his Lt's radio-man with Weapons Co. Upon arrival his unit would immediately encounter numerous firefights,ambushes and roadside bombs in Ramadi,Iraq.On October 9th 2006 Nick's humvee was hit by an IED and Nick was knocked unconscious suffering a level 3 concussion.He was given 2 days rest and put back out on patrol. On October 21,2006( shortly after midnight Iraqi time)Nick's platoon was out on patrol doing a route clearing mission and his unit was attacked with an IED (improvised explosive device. Nick and two of his Marine brothers in the Humvee all lost their precious lives that night.
Some of Nick's decorations and awards include The Navy Achievement Medal with combat V for Valor,Purple Heart with gold star in lieu of 2 Purple Hearts,Good Conduct Medal,War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal,Combat Action ribbon,War on Terrorism Service Medal,National Defense Medal.
LCpl. Joshua P. Klinger