Downey resident Mike Riche took The Downey Patriot to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing "Forward" headquarters, Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Riche works for a private military contractor as a force protection medic in support of operations at Leatherneck. He has been in Afghanistan for more than seven months. Riche is scheduled to return to Downey in mid-December and plans to present the City Council with an American flag that has flown at Camp Leatherneck in honor of Downey veterans who have died in service. ********** Published: November 15, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 31