At their favorite park table above the city of Albuquerque, the family of Chris Adlesperger recalls a lifetime of picnics and parties before he was killed in Iraq. From left: his aunt, Casy; cousin, Tamara, with her son, Christopher; grandmother, Wanda; and father, Gary, holding a portrait of his son in his Marine uniform. (Don Bartletti / LAT)
Gary Adlesperger, Chris father, introduces his baby nephew to Phillip Blackman, who had been Chris taekwondo coach and who gave the eulogy at his funeral. Under Blackmans tutelage, Adlesperger had become a national champion. (Don Bartletti / LAT)