Temecula Marine Killed In Afghanistan Honored In Orange County

LOS ALAMITOS (CBS) — Fallen war hero, Marine Corporal Christopher Singer, 23, of Temecula, was honored in Orange County Tuesday morning.

Singer was flown home in what is known as a hero mission.

Singer's flag-draped coffin was greeted by a solemn ceremony and saluting soldiers at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.

Singer was killed a little over a week ago by a sniper, nearly four months to the day after being deployed to Afghanistan.

Singer's widow and parents rushed over to his coffin and sobbed.

"He has a 2-year old, which actually, she saw him on TV the other night and was clapping, 'daddy, daddy.' You know, it just breaks our heart," a woman said.

Singer's daughter, Briyana was present on the tarmac along with hundreds of local law enforcement, retired military, family, friends and grateful citizens.

Michelle Connor was in tears.

"We just have one big community. She is like my sister, because we're both Marine wives and I don't know what I'd do if this happened to me," she said.

Friends say Singer was destined to serve his country. The Temecula man dressed in camouflage as early as 4-years old. They said he was excited about his first deployment to the Middle East.

The public is invited to attend Singer's memorial service Friday at Saddleback Valley Church.