Roadside bomb kills ninth member of adopted Marines

Another member of the city’s adopted Marine battalion was killed Saturday in Afghanistan, officials said.

Sgt. Joseph Caskey, 24, of Pennsylvania, was killed by an improvised explosive devise, said officials with the Huntington Beach 3/1 Marines Foundation.

The city adopted the “Thundering Third,” stationed in Camp Pendleton, in 2005. Caskey is the ninth member of the battalion to be killed in Afghanistan.

The foundation supports the Marines and their families with care packages, welcome-home activities, assistance for the wounded and programs for families when the troops are deployed.

The 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines was deployed in April and is expected to be in Afghanistan through November, foundation Executive Director Cindy Cross has said.

The battalion has been twice deployed to Iraq since its adoption.

The foundation is accepting condolence cards for the family of Caskey. His grandfather, father and mother have all served in the military, and his two older brothers are serving in the Air Force and Marines.

Cards should be addressed to “The Family of Sgt. Joseph Caskey,” or “Mr. and Mrs. Caskey.”

Cards can be mailed to Huntington Beach 3/1 Marines Foundation, 19744 Beach Blvd., #528, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.

— Britney Barnes