Parents of Slain Marine Mourn at Arlington

April 27, 2007 — -- In 2005, Beth and Michael Belle's 21-year-old son Nicholas was killed in Afghanistan. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, section 60, where the Belles have made it their duty to care.

Beth Belle: It was 8:57 and the doorbell rang. ... I could see the silhouette of the Navy chaplain's hat. And so I knew, and I just screamed to Michael and he knew from hearing me. ... We knew that there was no question that Nicholas would be buried at Arlington.

Michael Belle: Every week we see new graves and new families grieving. ... We make it a point to let them know how much we appreciate their sacrifice. And if there's anything that we can do to help them, we owe it to them.

Beth Belle: Friends of mine have written and said, "What can we do? What do we tell our children?" ... And I would say, "You take them to Arlington Cemetery and you walk the rows of Section 60 and remember.

Michael Belle: One of the last letters that Nicholas wrote to me, he said it best. And he said, "Dad, I love my home, but a Marine's home is where my country needs me the most."

This month, Beth and Michael Belle started a support group for the other Section 60 families. Their story will be featured at tonight's National Memorial Day Concert in Washington.