Remembering Fallen Marine, Jay Collado

(Columbia) The memory boards at Dunbar Funeral home told “part” of Jay Collado's life story. He was a marine, a husband ... a father.One could guess, by looking at his pictures, that he knew how to have a good time. His close friend and fellow marine Dewayne Martin says that assumption would be right on.“He took his work serious. He worked real hard, and we liked to play real hard, too,” said Marine Staff Sgt. Martin. “You don't meet very many people throughout life like Jay Collado."The Jay Collado he knew was Jay the marine. He and Martin met in the corps, their families becoming close friends the last seven years. So far, Martin says his grief has been tempered by images of a friend who knew how to clean his plate.“The way he likes to eat, oh my God,” laughed Martin. “It's amazing how he could eat, and maintain his slim figure. That, I'll always remember."Collado’s death was something no one was ready for. But Martin says that, as a marine, it's everyone's job to be prepared.“Being a marine, you're always ready. Anyone that joins the service, you know in the back of your mind that maybe you'll have to give the ultimate sacrifice."Staff Sergeant Callado will be buried at Florence National Cemetery with full military honors.