27Marines /1 Sailor Remembered

28 Servicemen Based In Hawaii Remembered
Associated Press
March 8, 2005

HONOLULU - Nearly 2,000 people gathered Monday at Hawaii's Capitol for an emotional service to honor 28 Hawaii-based servicemen killed in Iraq, all but one in a single helicopter crash.



"It's one of the most beautiful ceremonies I have ever seen," said Roni Aurelio, among family members who came from about a dozen states to the open air rotunda, where purple-and-white orchid leis framed photographs of the Marines.

"I think he would be very honored," she said of her son, Cpl. Stephen P. Johnson, 24, of Covina, Calif.

"He was my best friend, my son, my comrade," said Aurelio, clutching her son's dogtags.



The photographs rested in front of the Marines' boots, M-16 rifles and tan helmets. The service included songs, prayers and a 21-gun salute. It concluded with the playing of "Taps," as family members wept into their hands.

Twenty-six Marines from the base at Kaneohe Bay and a Pearl Harbor sailor were among the 31 killed when their helicopter went down in western Iraq in late January. It was the single deadliest event for the American military in Iraq since the U.S. invasion in March 2003.

The 28th honoree Monday was Marine Lance Cpl. Sean P. Maher, 19, of Grayslake, Ill., who was killed in Iraq combat in February.

Richard Gilbert Sr. flew from Florida to attend the ceremony for his youngest son, Marine Cpl. Richard A. Gilbert Jr., 26, of Dayton, Ohio.

"I don't think the pain will ever go away," he said. "My son's a national hero."

Ten of the 28 were fathers. Three never met newborn children.

"They'll never know their fathers in human form, but I know you will keep their memories alive," Gov. Linda Lingle said. "I hope when you talk to the children, you will tell them about today, that the people of Hawaii came out to honor their fathers."

Hundreds of Marines from the Hawaiian base and sailors from Pearl Harbor attended the service, creating an ocean of white and khaki.

Sgt. Catcher Cutstherope, 32, of Hays, Mont., knew most of the helicopter crash victims.

"You've had dinner with them at their houses, you trained with them, you sweat and bled with them," he said. "They're home now."

Cutstherope was wounded by a suicide bomber carrying grenades in Fallujah on Nov. 22. He now walks with a cane and has limited movement of his arms and legs.

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Rest in peace

[Batgirl]

Rip

[USMCRET6391]

"Since every death diminishes us a little, we grieve - not so much for the dead as for ourselves"

Lynn Caine

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2,000 Pay Tribute To Fallen Servicemen
KITV-TV

HONOLULU - Thousands of people filed into the state Capitol Monday for a memorial service to honor 28 Hawaii-based service men killed in Iraq. More than 2,000 Marines, sailors and Hawaii residents filled the Capitol rotunda to pay tribute to servicemen killed in Iraq.

Twenty-seven men died when their helicopter crashed in western Iraq last month. It was the single deadliest incident since the U.S. invaded Iraq. Another died in combat five days later.

"We want all the families to know that the people of Hawaii share your loss and will always remember your courage and strength," Gov. Linda Lingle said.

Sixty-two family members representing 18 of the dead came from mainland hometowns for the service. Californian Roni Aurelio mourned the loss of her son Cpl. Stephen Johnson.

"My best friend of 24 years. It has been really hard for me even though I have two other children. I only had one son. He wanted to be a Marine and the best part about being a Marine is he was one of the best," Aurelio said.

Petty Officer 3rd Class John House was among those honored. He was a medic who returned to Iraq for a second tour to help the wounded. House never got to hug his infant son, James Cash, who was born while House was away on Christmas Eve.

"I just want to tell him everything I can about his father. His father was such a great person, great friend and he would have been a wonderful dad," House's widow Melanie said.

Elisabeth Spence, 22, is the mother of an infant girl born before she could see her dad.

"There is really no one else that knows what we are going through," Spence said.

Ten of the 28 late servicemen were fathers.

The governor said she hoped the mothers would tell their children how many turned out to honor their fathers.

[Hoss68]

Rest in Peace Brothers...