Last modified: Sunday, May 20, 2007 12:54 AM EDT Jesus Valdepenas, left, and his wife Anne Marie, honor their son, Eric, a Marine who was killed in action in Iraq at a memorial service and dedication held Saturday in Seekonk at Four Town Farms. Valdepenas was serving in Iraq when he was killed on Sept. 4, 2006. (Staff photo by MARK STOCKWELL) Honored for their valor, lives BY KATHERINE HENRY FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE SEEKONK - In a touching ceremony held while raindrops fell, fallen Marine Lance Cpl. Eric P. Valdepenas was honored Saturday for his service and sacrifice. "It was a bittersweet privilege and a memorization of his life," said Seekonk Police Capt. Craig Mace. Several dozen family members, friends and fellow town residents gathered to honor Valdepenas' memory. The Seekonk native was just 21 when he was killed last September by a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq. During the ceremony, a granite stone marker was dedicated to Valdepenas on the Four Towns Farm. The land was donated by the Clegg family, which owns the farm. Valdepenas was the youngest of the eight children of Jesus and Anne-Marie Valdepenas. He was a 2003 graduate from Bishop Hendricken High School, where he was a star athlete and honors student. Veterans Agent Donald Kinniburgh said that Valdepenas had earned numerous medals such as the Global War on Terrorism Service award, the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Armed Forces Reserve Medal.