Lance Corporal Rick Centanni Memorial Scholarship Fund | "The tragedy of war is that it uses man's best to do man's worst." ~Harry Emerson Fosdick 1933

This site is dedicated to the memory of our beloved son, brother and friend; United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal (LCpl) Rick Joseph Centanni, H&S Company, Jump Platoon, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (4th LAR), 4th Marine Division (4th Mar Div), United States Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR).

Rick was killed in action March 24, 2010 when his Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) struck a roadside bomb in the Marjah region of southern Afghanistan's Helmand Province on the Pakistani border in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Rick's hometown friend and mentor; Marine Sergeant Major Robert J. Cottle, was in the same LAV and was also killed in action.

Rick, Robert and their fellow Marines sacrificed their today for our tomorrow and for this we will remain eternally grateful. We will never forget you, your sacrifice or your fallen comrades.

Rick was born and raised in Yorba Linda and attended Esperanza High School where he played football. After graduation, Rick enlisted in the Marines and assigned to the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

With the help of generous donations and the assistance of Esperanza High School, a memorial scholarship fund has been established in honor of Rick so his name will live on in our community and in our hearts.

Help keep Rick and Robert's spirit alive by participating the 1st Annual Centanni-Cottle Memorial 5K run/walk. To sponsor or volunteer for this inaugural event, please contact us at: [email protected]

Rick is the only son of Santa Ana Police Department Gang Unit Sergeant Jon Centanni. Rick was born and raised in Yorba Linda, California and attended Esperanza High School where he played football. Raised as a proud and selfless American patriot by his father, Rick was determined to serve his country. Just weeks after graduation, Rick enlisted in the Marines and was ultimately assigned to H&S Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. In November 2009, Rick and his unit were deployed to Afghanistan on a mission to stop Taliban soldiers and supplies coming from Pakistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Tragically, while on the forward edge of our nation's defense Rick and Sergeant Major Robert J. Cottle were killed in action in Afghanistan's Helmand Province... >> More

LCPL RICK CENTANNI TRIBUTE VIDEO

1st Annual Centanni-Cottle Memorial
5K Run/Walk in honor of LCpl Rick Centanni and SgtMaj Robert Cottle

Sunday, March 24, 2013
Fairmont Elementary School
5241 Fairmont Boulevard
Yorba Linda, California

Join your friends and family at this inaugural 5K run/walk honoring LCpl Rick Centanni and SgtMaj Robert Cottle.

To sponsor or volunteer for this inaugural event please contact us at:

[email protected].

Semper Fidelis.


	USMCR	4MARDIV	4LAR	Click Above to Donate